Earth-Kind Blog

Does Fresh Cab Work on Canadian Mice?

Tue, 21 Feb 2012

If you don’t already know, Fresh Cab was invented in North Dakota, just a hop and a skip away from Canada. Also, Fresh Cab is the only EPA registered product for indoor/enclosed area rodent control. Now that you know it’s a product that has been proven to work, and where it comes from, you may find yourself wondering, where can you use it? Does it work on Canadian mice? Are Canadian mice different from their U.S. neighbors to the South? We have answers for you!

Canadian mice are no different than American mice, except perhaps for the way it sounds when they say “about”. Rest assured there are no physiological differences between the two. No matter the region, all mice are our competitors for food and other resources. They invade our property, contaminate our food, nest in our belongings, and threaten our health. According to the Government of Alberta in, ‘Mice and Their Control’, in 6 months’ time, one pair of mice can eat more than 4 pounds of food and contaminate 10 times that amount! More than 50% of all households experience mice invasion sometime during a year. Additionally, mice can trigger asthma and allergies caused by the mites, fleas, and lice they harbor.

Prevention is key to reducing these risks. The best advice is to clean up, seal up, and pouch up. Clean up anything that may be attractive to rodents, such as food and debris (don’t forget about pet food), making sure everything is covered and sealed. Seal any openings that go through from the outside in, and place Fresh Cab pouches near any potential entry points.

We hear from our Canadian friends quite often wondering if Fresh Cab is available in Canada. The answer is, “Yes!” If you are a resident of Canada, check with your local implement dealer, farm and home retailer, or building center to see if they carry Fresh Cab. If they don't, please tell them about our product and send them to our website, www.earth-kind.com or our Canadian dealer, Westward Parts’ website, www.westwardparts.com to find out more.

Rodent Repellent Makes Mice Control Painless and Guilt-free

Fri, 17 Feb 2012

Mouse traps are a tried and true method for getting rid of unwanted rodents in your home. Snap traps have been in use for hundreds of years, and glue boards and live traps have also become a reliable option. One thing all of these methods have in common is that after you’ve caught the vermin, you need to do something with it.

I remember when I was a child; I saw a mouse caught on a glue board. That was one of the most horrifying sights in my memory. The mouse was still alive, but hopelessly stuck to the trap. This is a common occurrence when using glue boards, and users are faced with the decision of either ending the rodent’s life quickly by killing it, or simply throwing the trap and rodent away, sentencing the little guy to a slow death. Personally, I couldn’t choose either of these inhumane options.

Snap traps use food to lure a rodent in, making them very effective. Depending on how you look at things, they are more humane as they tend to kill rodents instantly. However, that is not always the case. I have seen mice & rats survive being caught in a snap trap. Sometimes it is just a foot or tail that is caught, and the rodent can be released in a different area, other times, the rodent is still alive but gruesomely injured. Users will still need to dispose of the rodent once it has been caught.

Live traps offer a way to catch mice & rats and remove them from your home without killing them. The traps are baited to bring the rodent in, but once inside, it cannot escape. After being caught, it is up to you to release your captive back into the wild, where it belongs. These traps usually allow you to release rodents without ever having to come in contact with them, and you are able to re-use the traps.

I don’t know about you, but I get a bit squeamish when it comes to rodents. They are cute from a distance but as soon as they start to move, I jump out of the way! That is why I am so thankful to have found Fresh Cab Botanical Rodent Repellent. I am able to rid my home of rodents humanely, without ever having to get near any of them! If you’re like me, and don’t want to have to touch a mouse trap that has a mouse in it, and you want a humane way to deal with pests in your home. Visit your local hardware store or look it up online and get some Fresh Cab today!

The 5 Stages of Grief for the Rodent Challenged Population

Thu, 16 Feb 2012

Last time we talked, I’d likened the reaction to rodents to that of Elisabeth Kubler-Ross’ 5 stages of grief. I’d like to expand upon that. Understanding how and why we react to rodents is an excellent first step to taking ourselves out of the category I like to call the “rodent challenged population.” Knowledge is power, and that is the key to rising above such challenges. So join me on this journey through the stages of grief and we will work together to find a solution.

Denial: To block out the pain of the realization, people often deny the reality of the situation. Example: “I heard a noise. It sounded sort of like a mouse. No! It couldn’t be a mouse in my house – maybe it was a ghost. Yes, I think my house is haunted.”

Anger: As denial wears off and the pain returns, people will redirect their emotions from the scary and helpless fear of being hurt to the less vulnerable state of anger. Their rage may be directed at people, objects, or rodents. Example: “That yellow-bellied exterminator lied to me – this is all his fault! Next time I will check www.pestworld.org for a licensed pest professional” or “That stinking mouse trap/poison didn’t do its job – false advertising if ever I’ve seen such a thing!” or “I’m gonna shoot that dang vermin!”

Bargaining: In an attempt to regain control of the situation, people often try to make a deal. Example: “Ok Mr. Mouse, so long as you confine your shenanigans to the garage, I will leave you be – but don’t come inside the house.”

Depression: This is a stage people pass through that can be eased by loving support and empowering knowledge. Example: Victim, “Why bother cleaning the kitchen, the mice act as if I’m a short order cook anyway.” Loving friend, “Don’t get so down, have you considered a natural rodent repellent, like Fresh Cab?”

Acceptance: To overcome any challenge, one must first accept it. This phase of acceptance may not necessarily mean happiness, but it is markedly different than depression. Example: Yes, I have a rodent problem, and yes, I can solve it.”

If any of the above examples ring true for you, take a deep breath and realize that you are already on your way to overcoming your rodent problems. In our next installment, we will address prevention and recovery so you can feel confident moving forward without fear of regression.

Feel the Love with Fresh Cab Natural Rodent Repellent

Tue, 14 Feb 2012

Love is in the air!

New studies have shown that male mice will "sing" a tune when they catch the scent of a female mouse. The high-pitch chirping that some of us are familiar with is actually a sort of love song used to attract a female counterpart. Research has shown that these singing mice have their own signature song and each has a unique voice, which is how the females differentiate between their relatives and strangers. There is also a difference in song, duration, and pitch from laboratory, wild, and house mice. I wonder if I can download a track on iTunes…?

Interesting as it is to know more about the mating habits of mice, I sure wouldn’t mind if they could cut back a little on all of that love! An acoustically gifted male and his mate can have 5-10 litters each year, with 5-6 mice in each litter. I don't know about you, but I find that a bit disturbing! A small nuisance that starts with just a couple of mice can quickly escalate into a large-scale infestation, so stay on top of rodent problems. Two mice are definitely easier to deal with than 102!

Another FYI, just like small portions of chocolate improve our athletic performance; the same effect has been found in mice. Chocolate sends power to the cells in their body and increases the amount of oxygen to their muscles! Research has shown mice that have been fed chocolate can pair up, energy wise, to those who have been regularly active.

What's more romantic than a one of a kind love song accompanied by some sweet chocolate on Valentine's Day? You and Fresh Cab Rodent Repellent! You can also pair up to chase rodents out of your home; they can have their fun somewhere else! I place these mouse pouches around any openings to the outside and mouse paths that already exist in my house. By doing this, I prevent any more rodents from coming in to my home and am able to enjoy love songs and chocolate without any thoughts of mice.

Understanding and Resolving Rodent Reactions

Mon, 13 Feb 2012

Let me start by saying that other than the Intro to Psychology course I took during my freshman year of college, I have no training in therapy, counseling, psychology or psychiatry. Disclaimers aside, I have heard the plight of so many victims needing help, I couldn’t stay silent a moment longer. If you’re reading this right now, there is a good chance you are one such victim. If you’ve been lucky enough to avoid this sort of ordeal thus far in your life, take notes, because odds are you or someone you know and care about will have to face this problem at some point in time. The problem to which I am referring is rodents. Not just rodents themselves, butthe traumatic shock and lingering distress they inflict upon those they encounter.

Seeing a mouse skitter across the floor can trigger a range of responses. Some people resort to a primal, violent frame of mind and begin to strategize ways to eliminate the offender. Other people’s nurturing instincts take over, and they see the rodent as a cute little creature that needs care. A common reaction is fear, which can cause an otherwise rational person to become utterly helpless. As time passes, these varying reactions will often shift and blend from the variety of categories where they originate into a shared vein of frustration.

However a person initially feels after seeing a mouse in their house, if their efforts to remedy the situation don’t yield the desired results, their feelings will frequently follow a common pattern. This pattern may be familiar to some, and tends to involve 5 stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Originally coined by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross as The 5 Stages of Grief, it has been my experience that victims of rodent intrusion also tend to pass through these 5 stages. The order, duration, and intensity of each stage differs from person to person and is influenced by the severity of the rodent exposure. There is no right or wrong way to react to the trauma induced by rodent exposure, but with thoughtful consideration and precautionary measures, the disturbance can be lessened and future ordeals can be avoided.

Stay tuned for more information and please feel free to share your thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

Chocolate Gives Mice Endurance?

Fri, 10 Feb 2012

Chocolate is a popular token of affection. Particularly around this time of year, heart shaped boxes of chocolate can be found in stores aplenty. The average American consumes about 11 pounds of chocolate a year. If you’re a chocolate lover like me, you might have your own store of chocolate in a cupboard, a closet, a drawer, or - if you’re really like me - all of the above!

Being such a chocolate fanatic myself, I went through an array of emotions when I came across this story, Chocolate: Now Good for Endurance. I am thrilled to find any ammunition to back up my chocolate addiction so the notion that chocolate may increase endurance is good news. However, this particular study found a “greater endurance capacity” among mice! I began to picture super-charged mice running away with my chocolate stash. They were wearing muscle shirts and marching in formation while engaging in a cadence call. There was no sign of retreat and I knew I must protect my reserve. But then I was able to let out a sigh of relief because I remembered I had protected my chocolates, along with the rest of my home, with Fresh Cab.

Some of the places I use Fresh Cab include:

Pantry

Behind dressers in bedrooms

Behind appliances like the fridge and the washer & dryer

Linen closet

Even super-charged mice would be offended by that fresh, woodsy scent. They wouldn’t dare come close to my stockpile, or anything else of mine. As an added bonus, by using a natural rodent repellent like Fresh Cab, I never have to worry about any of the risks associated with poisons and won’t encounter the unappetizing sight of a mouse caught in a trap.

When you’re picking out a sweet treat for your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day, take care to include a few Fresh Cab Natural Rodent Repellent pouches with your gift because there is nothing romantic about mice!

Avoid the Deadly Dangers of Rodent Poisons, Use a Natural Repellent Instead

Wed, 08 Feb 2012

When I was in my mid-20’s, my family and I took a vacation, travelling abroad. Our trip offered an opportunity to see how other people lived and learn about different cultures. What I learned has made a life-long impression. One thing I learned was that rodent infestation is a universal problem. Sadly, developing countries often have severe problems and virtually no way of controlling them.

One memory from this trip remains particularly clear even after many years have passed. We were walking through an impoverished neighborhood and I could see that the people had set out some sort of poison to combat the infestation; although it was clear the rodents still had the upper hand. We met a family with 3 children, 2 boys and 1 girl. The oldest boy was no more than 6 years old. The mother shared with us a bit of what daily life was like, what they ate, and even showed us their home – I was surprised to see a family of 5 sharing a one room home! We asked about the poison we’d seen set out and she explained what a nuisance rodents were and that she was always fearful one of her kids would get into the poison. The mother added that seeing dead cats and dogs in the streets is common, either from eating the poison itself or eating rodents that have ingested the poison.

Years after meeting this family, we still stay in touch through the mail. I always try to share any informative tips I have to help them stay safe from rodents. I was even able to mail them some containers to store their food in and materials to seal openings around their home to help prevent rodents from getting in. I hope that someday soon, Fresh Cab botanical rodent repellent will be available in their country.

In the meantime, I urge everybody to follow these mouse prevention tips:

Store all of your food in sealable containers and keep those containers closed tight

Keep your home free of clutter and debris

Do a thorough inspection of your home and seal and cover any holes or cracks that you find

- Living with rodents doesn't have to be life-threatening. Take care of your family with a safe approach to rodent control

What if my pets, or worse, my children eat Fresh Cab?

Tue, 07 Feb 2012

Around this time of year a few years back, I noticed that my dog was acting funny. He had no energy, he wouldn’t eat, and there was some white stuff around his mouth which I assumed was foam. After a couple visits to the vet, and a couple hefty bills, I found out he had probably gotten into rodent poison. As soon as I heard this, I rushed home and cleared out all the poisons I could find. I was quite alarmed at how much had built up over the years! I looked all around and found poisons under the sink, in my basement, in the garage and outside.

Fortunately, my dog was fine since I had taken him in to the vet as soon as I noticed changes in his behavior. However, it was now clear to me that I would no longer be keeping these types of products around my pets or my family. What if it had been one of my children?

Although I’d found out about Fresh Cab Natural Rodent Repellent years ago, I continued using poisons at the same time. I just assumed more is better. After this scare with my dog, I learned that less really is more. Since clearing all the poisons out of my home, I’ve only been using Fresh Cab and I haven’t seen any mice. My peace of mind has doubled because not only have we been living mouse free, but I no longer worry about the health and safety of my family since Fresh Cab is made out of natural ingredients like essential oils and plant fibers. This is a product I can trust.

In 2009, over 15,000 incidents of children ingesting rat poison were reported. Some possible side effects of poisons include:

Bleeding gums

Sudden nose bleeds

Blood in urine or stool

Loss of hair

If you notice any changes in behavior in your children or pets, please seek medical advice as soon as possible.

Integrated Pest Management [IPM] Programs for schools, can they work for mice & rat infestations?

Mon, 06 Feb 2012

The world is getting smarter, "greener," and more environmentally conscious—and that goes for commercial businesses with rodent infestations, too. Many traditional rodent control methods can be dangerous to children, pets, wildlife, and the environment if used incorrectly. Surveys show that 3 out of 4 people with rat or mouse problems want a safer, "greener" solution for their pest problems. As a result, safer, “greener” EPA regulatory guidelines are making their clangy entrance.

Businesses turning to integrated pest management (IPM) programs

Do-it-yourself rodent control for a home is one thing; in a business or manufacturing plant, it´s a vastly different problem! For this reason, businesses and public entities like schools turn to pest management professionals to help them develop effective integrated pest management (IPM) programs that will work tosolve their problem, rather than just control their problem with baits.

The best IPM programs usually combine several rodent control methods which may be mechanical (traps, seals, or screens), biological (parasites or pathogens), chemical (pesticides or poisons), or environmental (manipulating the temperature or the scent of an area). But, most importantly, they seek to treat the problem holistically to address the root causes. (Definition of holistic: emphasizing the importance of the whole and the interdependence of its parts)

Using poisons or pesticides is one of the easiest rodent control methods, but since 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has completely reshaped the agency´s pesticide policies. Pest management professionals are feeling the pressure to use IPM methods, including natural rodent control products, for their commercial clients. With rodents this is particularly difficult, as they are one of the most difficult pests to control.

The combination of methods included in the IPM program will depend on a number of factors. All business owners, and pest management professionals, however, need a program that works, and meets the following criteria:

• The least hazardous to human health—including the health of the technician making the application

• The least toxic to rodents (animal-loving employees and customers will appreciate this)

• The least disruptive to the indoor and outdoor environment

• The easiest to perform

• The most cost-effective

At last—an EPA-registered, natural rodent repellent that works, and fits the above criteria.

If your business is owned by a cooperative, federally funded in any way, or simply aware of the bottom line (and who isn´t?), there´s good news for you. The EPA registered the first bio-pesticide rodent repellent in 2007 to scientifically prove itself worthy: FRESH CAB®. To date, millions of pouches have been successfully used to keep rodents out and away from indoor and enclosed spaces, and Fresh Cab® is #1 on the USDA BEES list for effective & sustainable animal repellents.

Fresh Cab® is a natural rodent repellent that uses botanicals and balsam fir oil to simply drive rats and mice out and away from out from any enclosed area- and into your trap or bait station (or back outside).

As part of your IPM program, Fresh Cab® is perfect for structurally limited areas where mice go to nest, feed, hide, food cache, or congregate (and evade the PMP’s efforts):

Drop Ceilings, sub floors, and attics

Pool and Pump houses

Zoos and kennels

Pallet racks in food storage areas

Air conditions, compressors, and generators

Detached storage containers

Junction boxes and panel boxes

Remote buildings without daily maintenance

For more information about IPM methods, visit www.npma.org or phone (703) 352-6762. And to learn how Fresh Cab®, the only Fed. EPA registered botanical rodent repellent can fit into your IPM program, please visit: http://www.earth-kind.com/howto/industrial/

*Earth-Kind is a proud member of the national Pest Management Alliance, which exists to educate the public on safety & health issues relating to pests.

3 Tips to Getting Rid of Mice in Farm Buildings

Fri, 03 Feb 2012

As much as I love farm life, it comes with its hassles. Rodents are always finding their way into places they don’t belong, like the buildings on my parents’ property. I’ll share with you the 3 simple steps I told them so you can quickly and easily rid your farm of rodents too!

My parents recently told me about their rodent-infested barn. This barn is used primarily for storage on their property. They said they’d like to use whatever it was I had had such great success repelling mice and rats with, so I happily told them all about Fresh Cab Natural Rodent Repellent. I wanted to be sure they were using it in the most effective way, so I explained how Fresh Cab works by using a scent that is offensive to rodents. I told my parents it was important to place the pouches in the right areas, specifically, enclosed areas with little to no air flow for the best results.

I strongly recommend following these tips as well to mouse proof your buildings:

Seal possible entry points: Any hole that goes through from outside to inside and is larger than 1/4 inch (about the size of a pencil eraser) needs to be sealed. Holes and cracks can be sealed by using steel wool or wire mesh, and reinforced by caulking or placing foam insulation on top. Make sure to put a Fresh Cab pouch next to these sealed holes for added protection.

Protect doors: Oftentimes, mice will sneak in through open doors or cracks underneath and around doors. To prevent this from happening, install high-quality weather stripping at the base of all doors. Limit the use of any doors to these buildings if at all possible. Don't forget that you will still need to place a Fresh Cab pouch near all of the doors for extra protection in rodent prevention.

Remove attractants: Anything that mice and/or rats are attracted to, such as firewood, bricks, mulch, etc., needs to be stored away from the building of concern. Rodents will find and make a home out of anything. In the winter time, it is safest to keep just enough firewood for the day next to your house or building.

My parents are happy to report that the last mouse seen rummaging through their storage barn was a week ago, and they have not seen the little pest since! As long as you make sure to follow these 3 simple steps, it is easy to rodent-proof your property, and keep them out for good.

-Fight back with a natural rodent repellent and control mice in your building.

Cartoon mice are cute – real mice, not so much.

Thu, 02 Feb 2012

By: Rita Stadler, Earth-Kind Retail Outreach Coordinator

I recently came across this list of the Top 5 Mice in Pop Culture. I hadn’t thought much about cartoon mice lately, but now that I am, it’s no wonder so many people feel terrible about using snap traps and glue boards when they find themselves faced with mice in their home!

As children we are shown charming, incorrigible, heroic, and out-right silly personalities to go with these little critters. As adults, we find them nesting in our stored items or worse yet, pulling up a seat to our dinner table.

Now that I’m grown, I’ve learned about the dangers of rodents, including but not limited to:

Property damage – rats and mice are responsible for 8% of home and building fires by chewing on electrical wires. Even if they don’t start a fire, the damage they cause to homes, cars, recreational vehicles, etc… can be costly.

Disease – the CDC lists 11 diseases that are directly transmittedto humans from rodents and another 15 that can be indirectly transmitted.

Safety - Traditional traps and poisons cause serious safety concerns, especially for pets and children. (Visit ASPCAand American Association of Poison Control Centersfor more information).

Channeling Mighty Mouse’s heroism, I’ve found an alternative I can feel good about and that is Fresh Cab Natural Rodent Repellent. Fresh Cab won’t harm or kill Mickey or Minnie. I no longer have to worry about finding Jerry’s corpse, plus, it’s safe for pets, so Tom likes it too! And because it is a natural product, I know it won’t be harmful to my health or my children. If Pinky and the Brain are determined to take over the world, they can still try, but they’re not going to be doing it from inside my home anymore.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to set out a few new pouches and watch for a little mouse to beat feet running out of my house like Speedy Gonzales – Andale! Andale! Arriba! Arriba!

City Magazine Cover Story: Kari Block Fresh Cab Rodent Repellent Entrepreneur

Wed, 01 Feb 2012

After watching a video of her pumping iron and describing our company slogan “Lean, mean, and all about green!” it was no surprise to hear our CEO, Kari, was gracing the cover of another magazine. We don’t always know what to expect in our office but we are always impressed with what we see. From the days Kari was helping assemble Fresh Cab pouches in her own kitchen to the times she has addressed political committees, she has always been deeply committed to doing her part in improving our world.

Kari always speaks up for the causes she believes in and it is so rewarding to see her words being heard. City Magazine shared Kari’s passion for entrepreneurship and supporting women in business, as well as her dedication to employing developmentally disabled workers, with its over 100,000 readers. She had the opportunity to share the outstanding performance of her company in the past year (reaching $20 million in retail sales!) but focused on her values and vision. The interview also featured a few candid moments, giving everyone a chance to get to know Kari a little better. If you haven’t heard about Fresh Cab Natural Rodent Repellent, Earth-Kind, or Kari Warberg Block yet, this article makes it clear that it won’t be long before you do.

Most people are grateful just to have a job, but here at Earth-Kind, we are grateful for so much more. Not only do we have a job, we have a leader to look up to, a gratifying company culture, goals to strive for, and products we truly believe in. Whether she does it while flexing her pipes or with a French manicure, I can’t wait to see what’s next from this model lady!

Read her interview here: http://thecitymag.com/?id=1

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire – but where there’s Fresh Cab, there’s no mice!

Tue, 31 Jan 2012

As winter wears on, I’ve been enjoying our wood burning stove. There’s nothing quite like some warm fuzzy socks, a comfy blanket, and some hot cocoa in front of a fire! I know a lot of people like to cuddle up around a cozy fireplace this time of year. As a matter of fact, 1/3 of Americans’ primary heat sources include wood burning stoves or fireplaces.

One of the challenges people face when it comes to enjoying an indoor fire is storing their wood. For years, we kept all of our wood outside because we didn’t want any critters that like to live in the wood pile to take up residence in our home. Unfortunately, the only thing worse than an unwanted houseguest skittering out of the wood pile is having to run out in the freezing cold to grab another log!

After dealing with this dilemma for years, I am happy to say that we are now able to keep a reasonable supply of wood inside thanks to Fresh Cab. We placed a pouch right by our wood storage in the den, as well as near potential entry points such as doors in our home, and made sure to put 1-2 pouches in each room for good measure, and we have not seen a single mouse in ages!

Some other fire safety and mouse prevention tips to keep in mind are:

Have your chimney or wood stove inspected and cleaned annually by a certified chimney specialist.

Clear the area around the hearth of debris, decorations and flammable materials.

Stack firewood outdoors at least 30 feet away from your home.

Keep the roof clear of leaves, pine needles and other debris.

Cover the chimney with a mesh screen spark arrester.

Please take a moment to rodent proof your home and review these tips on Fireplace and Home Fire Safetyfrom the U.S. Fire Administration and then enjoy a mug of hot cocoa and a cozy fire yourself.

3 Easy ways to control mice inside of your home

Fri, 27 Jan 2012

How can you control mice that are already inside of your home?

Unfortunately, once mice have found their way into your house it is more time consuming to get rid of them than if you are just trying to keep them out. Luckily for you, there are 3 simple steps that you can take now to control rodents that have already made themselves at home. By applying these steps, you will keep them from invading your space in the future, too.

The first thing to remember is that mice need food, and by that I mean your food. Placing a Fresh Cab pouch in areas where food is stored will prevent the little thieves from feasting on your goods. Make sure that boxed items, such as cereals and pancake mix, are stored in plastic or glass containers. Then you can place pouches in pantries and under sinks, or anywhere around food. Since this is an all-natural product do not worry about Fresh Cab contaminating your edible items.

Second simple step: remember to protect the areas of your home that provide easy access for the rodents. Keep in mind that rodents are excellent climbers and can fit through holes 1/3 their size. Place a Fresh Cab pouch around vents and holes created for cables. There are many other areas to protect too, like doors, windows, dryer vents, crawl spaces, and drop ceilings. Put yourself in the shoes of a mouse, what would you do for food, water, and warmth?

Finally, remember that mice rely heavily on their sense of smell because their eye sight is very poor. They create and maintain "scent trails" that they follow each and every time they move around. You can spot these scent trails by locating smear marks and tracks against walls, in corners, and behind appliances and cabinets. You can block these routes by placing a Fresh Cab pouch near the route. The rodents won't be able to smell the scent trail - all they will smell is the woodsy balsam fir scent of Fresh Cab. Remember it is a pleasant smell to you and me, but a scent rodents despise!!

So, with these three simple steps you will eliminate those pesky rodents from your home and you are well on your way to keeping them out. Happy rodent hunting all.

-A single pair of mice can produce 15,000 offspring in one year!

Can 21st century science & technology lift the spirit to a higher place, and open the heart to a kinder earth?

Thu, 26 Jan 2012

I am an optimist, and love futurists that are too.

My Alma Matter, University Of Mary, recently hosted the traveling scientist series featuring the team leader of the International Space Station. I love going to these lectures because the purpose is to ignite in students the possibilities of how they can take science and technology and apply it in their own lives to improve humanity. Monday night was no different.

Futurist and technological historian, Dr. Jack Bacon, presented a very compelling vision that human thought – which houses the parallel universe

The parallel bang-The growth of creativity,

leadership, and human understanding

( a carbon copy of all we know to paper or silicon) of all the models of the physical universe- is undergoing an explosive new phase of development not unlike the surge that occurred in the Renaissance or the Bronze age.

This time however, it’s taking less than a decade, and it’s on an exponential trajectory that will take humanity to inconceivable new heights. In these few thousand days we’re living through right now , something of astounding significance will be innovated in such fields as: computing, communications, medicine, psychology, politics, transportation, agriculture.

So, what does all this mean to society? What will it mean to the different cultures and religions of the world?

One impact Jack shared was a photo expose´ of a kindergarten room in Rwanda. Each student was equipped with a bright green computer (between the size of an iPad and a laptop) that had an antenna for making calls, watching TV, computing. It was loaded with every book that student will need for their education. What was ironic, is that these children were the benefactor of several corporations who came together to develop this technology, without worrying about patents & profits. It was for humanity.

Jack also shared a great illustration on sustainability initiatives around the world. I particularity love this subject and found it interesting that thesustainability trend is GROWING exponentially. That means it’s in people’s hearts, and brains all around the world. My definition of sustainability was very similar to Jack’s. Not surprising since he’s a Malcolm Baldridge award winner. (In the manufacturing industry this is the highly coveted award for superior process and business excellence)

Here is how I think of sustainability:

More efficient. Inputs and outputs are considered and all waste is removed. Waste that customers (or taxpayers) shouldn’t have to pay for.

Economically viable. for the long term because the supply chain grows along with it, and one party does not control the lion’s share of the flow of resources. It’s split more evenly, sustainably. No one gets more than the actual value they provide.

Ecologically sound. The ingredients or components are renewable. The total footprint makes sense from a carbon standpoint. ( see how carbon footprint is defined: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_footprint)

As a futurist, Jack’s picture of the health of our planet was was very optimistic. He strongly feels that we as a species have grown in consciousness enough to stop the ecological destruction of our planet, however, the economy has not caught up with enough affordable and effective ‘green’ options for us to purchase. Naturally, I agree and this is why I started Earth-Kind.

To read more on my vision for a more sustainable planet, watch for a post in two weeks that links to my article in the only sustainable focused Int’l Scientific Journal: Center for Better Life. www.centerforabetterlife.com

Turn over an old leaf, start your own compost bin.

Wed, 25 Jan 2012

Have you ever wondered what a compost bin is, or why people use them?

A compost bin is a bin that can be made or bought, you can also start your compost pile on the bare earth if you'd like. Compost bins hold organic materials derived from plant and animal matter. Not only is everything inside of the bin all-natural, the bin itself is organic. Compost bins are beneficial for the environment and you, providing all-natural fertilization for your soil, recycling for your kitchen and yard waste, and reducing landfill waste.

Some of the most common materials people put into their bins are: fruit and vegetable/table scraps, eggshells, leaves, grass clippings, garden plants and weeds, straw and hay, paper, cardboard, corn cobs, dryer lint, and animal manure. You can see it is a never ending list... But, just remember that you can't put anything and everything into your compost bin. Make sure the material that is being mixed in is organic, and chemical and disease free.

For example, you can throw garden plants and weeds in your compost but some plants carry disease, and some weeds may have already gone to seed, which means that they will continue to sprout up more of them in your bin. Manure could carry disease as well. With paper you want to make sure that it is not glossy paper and does not contain colored inks. Just double check to make sure that whatever you add to your bin is all natural and hasn't been exposed to any disease or chemical.

Having and using a compost bin is easy, as long as you are dedicated and stick to it. There are a few guidelines that you should follow, other than what you should put into your bin. When starting a compost bin, you should put down a layer of something dry, like straw, then you can add something wet, like fruit table scraps. You should mix this pile every few days so that air can circulate, if you don't, the process of composting will take a little longer, 6 months to a year. Add water every few days to keep your pile damp as well, and in 1-4 months you will be ready to go.

One downfall of compost bins is that they will attract rodents. Rodents are attracted to many things that compost bins hold, from the food matter to the straw or hay that they can nest in. Make sure to keep your compost at least 100 feet from you house so that the rodents don't find their way into your home.

Place Fresh Cab pouches along any entry points into your house, doors, foundation cracks, pet doors, etc. Another plus side to this all-natural rodent repellent is that you can pour the contents of your used pouches into your compost, as it is earth-friendly.

-Turn over an old leaf, start your own compost bin.

The Common Denominator of Success by Albert E.N. Gray

Mon, 23 Jan 2012

I recently read this and had to pass it on to my student friends, as it is a most certain recipe for success in life & business.

Kari

Excerpted from Albert E. N. Gray’s The Common Denominator of Success, 1940

The Common Denominator of Success

Several years ago, I was brought face to face with the very disturbing realization that I was trying to direct the efforts of a large number of men who were trying to achieve success, without knowing myself what the secret of success really was. And so I set out on a voyage of discovery. In short, I was searching for the common denominator of success. And because that is exactly what I was looking for, that is exactly what I found.

The common denominator of success – the secret of every person who has ever been successful – lies in the fact that he or she formed the habit of doing things that failures don’t like to do. It’s just as true as it sounds and it’s just as simple as it seems.

Perhaps you have wondered why it is that your most successful peers seem to like to do the things that you don’t like to do. They don’t. And I think this is the most encouraging statement I have ever offered to anyone.

But if they don’t like to do these things, then whey do they do them? Because by doing the things they don’t like to do, they can accomplish the things that they want to accomplish. Successful people are influenced by the desire for pleasing results. Failures are influenced by the desire for pleasing methods and are inclined to be satisfied with such results as can be obtained by doing things they like to do.

Why are successful people able to do the things they don’t like to do while failures are not? Because successful people have a purpose strong enough to make them form the habit of doing things they don’t like to do in order to accomplish the purpose they want to accomplish.

That is why behind every success there must be a purpose. Your purpose must be practical and not visionary. But in making your purpose practical, be careful not to make it logical. Make it a purpose of the emotional type. Remember needs are logical while wants are emotional. If your purpose is in terms of wants, then your wants will keep pushing you long after your needs are satisfied.

If it’s a big purpose, you will be big in its accomplishment. If it’s an unselfish purpose, you will be unselfish in accomplishing it. And if it’s an honest purpose, you will be honest in the accomplishment of it. Don’t ever forget that you will never succeed beyond the purpose to which you are willing to surrender. Furthermore, your surrender will not be complete until you have formed the habit of doing things that failures don’t like to do.

Why don't my Fresh Cab pouches have a strong smell?

Fri, 20 Jan 2012

I recently recommended Fresh Cab rodent repellent to one of my good friends who had a mouse infestation in her garage. She had heard of it before but just didn't get around to fixing the problem until she found a mouse nest under the hood of her most prized possession, a 1966 Chevy Chevelle! That would make anybody jump on their rodent problem in a quick manner!

The other day she called me to say that she didn't think the repellent was working. She told me that it didn't have a very strong smell, and she still saw mice running around the garage. Plus, she was still finding droppings in the car. I reassured her that she had just set the product out a couple days ago and to give it time. I also gave her some tips on where to place Fresh Cab, like in and around the infested area/s and all the openings that mice could use to get in and out of the garage.

I pointed out to her that one box of Fresh Cab, which contains 4 pouches, covers 32 square feet of floor space alone, so she would need to use more than one box for a large garage. She asked if I would stop over to make sure that she had enough pouches and had placed them in the right places. I agreed to make the visit.

When I opened the side door to the garage, I waited for the familiar, refreshing and outdoorsy smell of Fresh Cab to hit me, but it didn't. In fact, I couldn't smell it at all. I noticed right away that my friend had not taken the plastic wrap off the individual pouches. It is important that the outer plastic is removed right before you place the pouch for the product to work. That way the smell will be strong and offensive to the rodents you are trying to get rid of. If you don't remove the outer plastic around the pouches the smell will be very weak and since this product works because of its natural smell, it is an important step to remove the wrap, exposing the pouch.

My friend and I still enjoy a good laugh about this, but you can bet she will not forget this step again!

Investing in young women means strong leaders for our future

Thu, 19 Jan 2012

As you may know, Earth-Kind is a woman owned business. Our flagship product from which our business was born- Fresh Cab^® -was invented by Kari, our CEO & founder. So naturally, we have a special place in our hearts for ALL girls who want to make a difference on this planet with their inventions!

We believe that nurturing girls and women is important, and something we wanted to share with you. (Don't worry guys-you are important too!) Here are some stats about the female gender that may surprise you:

A girl’s self-esteem peaks at age 9

Only 2% of women describe themselves as beautiful

27% of single mothers with custody of their children live in poverty

Less than 7% of national philanthropic dollars are for woman and girls.

It’s clear from the above statistics that it wouldn’t hurt to highlight the value of our girls more. We can become better at nurturing their self-esteem at a younger age. And it surely wouldn’t hurt to validate their innate beauty and intelligence more often. It’s never too early, nor too late, to see our girls for what they are really worth, and encourage them to do the same so that they might know their potential without looking to the world for approval.

Let’s look at some of the most famous women who have forever changed the way our world works:

Anyone who's ever driven in a rain or snow storm can attest to the dire importance of windshield wipers. What a lot of people don't know is that windshield wipers were invented by a woman. Inventor Mary Anderson received a patent for her car-window cleaning device in 1903. http://www.women-inventors.com/Mary-Anderson.asp

Barbara Askins' invented a better way of enhancing film. Her invention involved the use of radioactive materials to enhance negatives, which, as it turned out, could also be used to enhance images even after the pictures had been developed. After patenting the invention in 1978 (U.S. patent No. 4,101,780), Askins' method was put to use by NASA with great success. In fact, Askins invention was so successful that it was adopted outside of the agency for a variety of other uses, including improving the clarity of x-rays and restoring old photographs. For her invention of a new way of developing film, Askins was honored as the National Inventor of the Year in 1978. http://www.women-inventors.com/Barbara-Askins.asp

Imagine a building material that is indestructible, fire-proof and non-toxic. Sounds like something you'd find in a work of science fiction, but actually it's a very-real invention called Geobond®, designed by female inventor Patricia Billings. Patty Billings, a sculptor, initially sought to create a cement additive to prevent her sculptures from shattering in the 1970s. After years of experimenting, she finally achieved her goal of making an indestructible plaster. Soon after, she discovered the material was also amazingly resistant to heat – which opened the door to a larger number of applications. Because the Geobond® invention is non-toxic as well as indestructible and fire-proof, it is the world's first workable replacement for asbestos. http://www.women-inventors.com/Patricia-Billings.asp

As electric typewriters came into widespread use after World War II, Bette Nesmith Graham and countless other secretaries let out a collective groan. The new machines did make typing easier, but their carbon-film ribbons made it impossible to correct mistakes neatly with a pencil eraser. As a result of this predicament, Graham ended up inventing one of the most widely used office products of the 20th century, Liquid Paper http://www.women-inventors.com/Bette-Nesmith-Graham.asp

Stephanie Kwolek, One of the first women research chemists, she first gained national recognition in 1960 for her work with long molecule chains at low temperatures. In 1971, Kwolek's further analysis culminated in an important discovery of a liquid crystalline polymer solution. Its exceptional strength and stiffness led to the invention of Kevlar®, a synthetic material that is five times as strong as steel. http://www.women-inventors.com/Stephanie-Kwolek.asp

In the mid-1980s, a twelve-year old girl developed an invention that greatly helped people who have difficulty communicating. Rachel Zimmerman of Ontario, Canada created a software program using Blissymbols: symbols that enable non-speaking people, such as those with severe physical disabilities like cerebral palsy, to communicate. http://www.women-inventors.com/Rachel-Zimmerman.asp

These are just a few women who have made HUGE impacts on our lives and the world. Imagine something as minor as wanting to correct typos in print, and how this has become such a staple to life. Even in the modern age of computers, I still use liquid paper to correct mistakes on hand-written documents.

Someday I am sure we will see my boss, Kari Block on a website for famous inventors. She has already done so much with her invention Fresh Cab, the 1^st and only Fed. EPA registered rodent repellent for indoor/enclosed space use. I know the future holds many more innovations from her.

Take care of your girls and encourage them – you never know what the future holds or how they may become the next woman to invent a life-changing product!

Thanks to the website http://www.women-inventors.com/for all of the great information and reference materials.

-Becky Smith / Director of Client Education

De-clutter for a rodent free home Part 3

Tue, 17 Jan 2012

De-cluttering and organizing your home doesn't have to be a drag. Try some of these cool and trendy ideas that don't make you feel ashamed about having junk out in the open. These ideas will give you the opportunity to add style to your home without displaying big plastic tubs.

Buckets are great for kid’s rooms and/or play areas. You can get them in various sizes and colors for items such as stuffed animals, toys, books, shoes, whatever your kids have just lying around. Use your imagination.

Baskets come in fun colors, shapes, sizes, and styles for a unique design or look. These will work in:
- closets for hats and gloves
- laundry rooms for dryer sheets and detergent
- living rooms for magazines or mail
- at your front and back doors for shoes and winter socks.

You can match baskets that have fabric to the colors of your walls for a nice touch of design. All you guests will be asking for you decorator's name!

Shadow boxes add flare and work in any room of a house. They provide wall decor and also give you more areas to store little things, like those pretty perfume bottles that are piling up in the closet. These boxes give you a chance to free up closet space, while allowing you to show off some of your treasured items. This is also a fun way to display 20 or so extra nail polish bottles in your bathroom and add a pop of color to your wall.

Build-it-Yourself Shelves: You can get these shelves at places like Menards and Lowes. They come in white and usually are a foot wide and 3 feet tall, with 3 shelves. The best part about these shelves is that they are incredibly easy to put together. You can add more shelves and easily paint to match any décor.

In my opinion, using stylish organization tools gets you in the de-clutter/organizing mood, so if you have extra clutter lying around, go pick up some of these trendy items to make your home more organized.

Remember a de-cluttered and clean home is the 1^st line of defense when protecting your home from pest and rodent invasion. Rodents like mice & rats love finding a tucked away place to build a nest and having extra storage items around gives them more places to hid and breed! A single romantic pair of mice can produce as many as 15,000 descendants in 1 year. You don’t want that happening in your home!

While you are organizing, remember to protect your newly cleaned areas with Fresh Cab^® pouches. Click below to download the Top 25 places to use Fresh Cab in and around your home.

Get in the organization mood this winter; it's as good a time as any!

A Mouse in my Dryer Vent!

Mon, 16 Jan 2012

If I were a mouse, I would love the idea of living in a warm dryer vent during the cold winter months--Wouldn't you?!?

Last winter, I found a couple of mice roaming around in my house. Although I think mice can be little and cute, they scare me with their quick movements. And cute or not, I don't like finding them in my house!

So naturally I started investigating the various ways they could have entered my home. I thought maybe they had found a free ride in through an open door or, as they are often known to do, or through cracks in my home's foundation. To my surprise, I learned that even if you have a new home, mice can find a way in through the foundation...hmm. I assumed that was how the little rodents got into my house and turned my focus to getting them out. I also remembered that if you catch them live, you need to relocate them miles away from your house or they will find their way back.

Earlier, I had noticed that my dryer wasn't working as well as it should have been and thought maybe the vent needed to be cleaned. This had happened before so I figured it was time for an annual cleaning. When the repairman came to look at my dryer, I watched him clean out the vent. There was extra lint, dirt, and other sorts of debris in there. Then I noticed it! A mouse nest in the mix of junk he was cleaning out. No wonder my dryer wasn't working well. Dryer vents are a very warm and cozy oasis for a cold, little rodent, who can blame them?

I was not about to have another mouse in my house. Since I had seen several mice already, it was time to de-mouse my house and quick! I still didn't know exactly how they'd gotten in: foundation, open door, dryer vent, or some other way. So, I planned my attack on several fronts.

First I put a screen on the dryer vent to prevent rodents from having an easy entrance to a warm, cozy home. Then I placed a Fresh Cab pouch near the vent opening. Next, I placed several Fresh Cab rodent repellent pouches around my house. I put them near places I thought the mice might try to sneak in. I put Fresh Cab in storage areas, too, in case those little rodents had any ideas about building nests there.

After a few short weeks I noticed I had not seen a single mouse (or any new droppings) in my house! This mouse caper was closed!

De-clutter for a rodent free home Part 2

Thu, 12 Jan 2012

Did you get a chance to read my blog on the importance of de-cluttering your home? When doing a little research for that post, I realized how important a de-cluttered home and an organized living space are to our overall feeling of well being.

For some people, the ability to de-clutter and stay organized becomes overwhelming. The simple act of collecting or saving items turns into so much more that it disrupts their way of living. I am talking about hoarding, the pattern of behavior that is characterized by excessive collecting of useless items. According to the Mayo Clinic, "Hoarding often creates such cramped living conditions that homes may be filled to capacity, with only narrow pathways winding through stacks of clutter. Some people also collect animals, keeping dozens or hundreds of pets, often in unsanitary conditions." 

We've all seen stories about hoarders in the news or on reality TV shows. Hoarding can have terrible effects on individuals and their families. Hoarders and their families often endure economic burden, impaired functioning and health risks. The human, financial and emotional costs of the health risks can be high. Too much clutter goes hand in hand with an increased risk of fire, spread of disease and rodent and insect infestations. Rodents and insects are very commonly found in areas of clutter and unsanitary messes.

As the Mouse Detective, I am very familiar with the diseases that rodents can carry. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these diseases can be spread to humans directly, through handling of rodents, through contact with rodent feces, urine, or saliva, or through rodent bites. Diseases carried by rodents can also be spread to humans indirectly too, through ticks, mites or fleas that have fed on an infected rodent. This can put hoarders at extreme risk for health issues.

 

Hoarding is a compulsive action and can be very difficult to overcome, often requiring professional intervention. Most people with clutter around their homes aren't destined to become hoarders. But learning more about the condition serves as a good reminder to watch for signs in loved ones. Offer to help clear out a closet or basement if you notice their clutter piles or organization changing.

Remember an organized, de-cluttered home is a big factor in achieving a healthy lifestyle for you and your family free of health hazards.

Earth-Kind is Search-Kind, according to the new Web Marketing for Dummies, 3rd edition

Mon, 09 Jan 2012

Our company was recently highlighted in the newest edition of the Web Marketing for Dummies as a result of having unbelievable ‘organic’ rankings of our on-line keywords for our business size. Keywords are what consumers type-in to find our type of product through search engines like Google or Yahoo [IE: I have mice – how can I get rid of them?]. The term ‘organic’ means that we earned these keywords free.

I’m honored to have been given the ability to share with other small businesses, at no cost to them, (save the price of the book) what we have learned through trial and error, and costly consultants!

It seems hard to believe that we’re on our 6^th website design already, and how technology has advanced since our 1^st website 18 years ago. In the mid-90’s, I recall being one of the pioneering companies in our state to have a website, and one of the first regionally to have an on-line store.

I’ve always been an early adopter of new technology, but only when it makes sense. And a website definitely made sense, even back then! Here’s why:

We could use the website to allow consumers to do research and decide if our product would work for their unique situation. In our category, about 78% of all purchases are researched on-line before the purchase decision.

We could use the website as a way to help national customers find local retailers. Back in 1996, we had to create a system to make this work. This helped us in two ways: 1) If there was not a retailer in an area, we could sell our product to that consumer. 2) If they liked it, they could ask their local retailer to begin to carry our product which helped us build distribution.

We could use the website to share what our products were made from, and what we as people were made from. We have always believed in transparency and knew one day our company’s most valuable currency would be the ‘trust’ that consumers have in our products.

All these years later, it still works the same old fashioned way: Make the best possible product, at the best possible price, with the best possible service. It’s the same on or off the web. There are no short cuts.

I have to admit, it always feels odd when I read about my company in a publication, or see it on TV. But, I’ll always be grateful because my cup filleth every time I hear that someone else benefitted as a result!

Check out the book if you want to improve your web marketing & SEO. It’s a really helpful guide. http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-1118065166.html

Start the year off right; de-clutter for a rodent free home

Thu, 05 Jan 2012

I have recently found that the importance of keeping your house free of clutter is huge! Do you really think that keeping all of your old things is a good idea when it comes to your family's health and safety? Think of all the dust clutter creates, the tripping hazards, and not to mention the ultimate playground you've provided for rodents, which carry plenty of diseases.

I came to discover these hazards when I cleaned out my spare guest bedroom. For my storage system, I use a bunch of color coordinated tubs, which give the appearance of organization.

I am by no means a hoarder. I make a habit of getting rid of anything that I haven't used in a reasonable amount of time, but my problem was not that I had a bunch of full tubs; it was the fact that I had them filling up my spare bedroom space when I had a totally EMPTY closet for them!

Remember when you are filling totes and putting them in storage; throw a couple Fresh Cab mouse repellent pouches in too. No need to suffer the disappointment, when you decide to use or donate those stored things, to discover mice have ruined them! I have realized that it only takes a couple of minutes (at most) to just put something where it belongs. We all know those couple of items you didn't have a minute to find a home for yesterday, have now turned into a cluttered roomful of things.

Here are a few of de-cluttering tips I have found very helpful:

Don't allow things into your house that you do not need or won't be used. It's wasteful. If you must do so, then use the "one in, two out" rule. Get rid of two things to bring in that one new thing. If you can't, then you know it's not important.

Donate things that haven't been used in years. Ask yourself "Will I really use this someday like I keep telling myself?" when you know you haven't used it, or even remembered it in years. On the plus side, donating your unused items will give you a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment.

Remind yourself that your value is not in your stuff. What you own does not make you who you are.

I hope that you have found this helpful. Stay tuned for my next topic on hoarding!

-Keeping your house clean and organized keeps your family healthy.

Martha the Mouse Detective from Earth-Kind New Years Advice

Tue, 03 Jan 2012

What better way to ring in the New Year than having an optimistic outlook on your new resolutions? I was curious when I sat down to write my new promises to myself for 2012, what other peoples' resolutions are. So I did a little investigating and this is what I found...

The Top 10 most popular resolutions are (in order of popularity):

1.   Spend more time with family and friends

2.   Work out more

3.   Go on a diet

4. Quit smoking

5.   Enjoy life more

6. Quit drinking

7. Pay off debt

8.   Learn something new

9.   Volunteer, help others

10. Get organized

Now, these are all very good promises to make with yourself, but if you can't keep them they are useless.  While I was researching for the most popular resolutions, I also found a list of the most commonly broken resolutions. Eight of the most popular resolutions are also included on the most commonly broken resolutions list! Which isn't hard to believe since most people end up breaking their resolutions within the first several weeks of the New Year.

I know it is really difficult to keep long term commitments to yourself, sometimes because the luster wears off, or you just don't have time to focus on them.

This year I am going to make sure I keep my New Year resolution, which is to cook healthier for my family. I am going to do this by setting resolutions that I can keep. Let's just say that if I have more debt than yearly income, obviously I can't make a resolution to pay off all of my debt (unless I get lucky in the lottery, which I am not counting on!) Another way to have a better chance at keeping my resolution is to not overwhelm myself with too many resolutions. Just a couple strong goals to focus on works better for me. I need inspiration to keep myself motivated. For example, if you want to lose weight and get in shape, find a picture of someone who has the type of body you are striving for and post it on your refrigerator or treadmill.

I plan to keep all of these things in mind to help me. Also make a list of your resolutions and hang it on your mirror to be reminded every day of your goals. Good luck to each of you that have set New Year's resolutions. Check in and let me know what you are resolving to change or improve, I'd love to hear from you. I'll post updates on my progress here.

Happy 2012 Everyone!

Fresh Cab natural mouse repellent – what you DON’T know may surprise you.

Fri, 30 Dec 2011

The year-end green dirt on Earth-Kind, as told by the employees

Kari Block: Farmer in Charge at Earth-Kind

It’s the end of another banner year at Earth-Kind. I have to say right off that I love my job as CEO of this company! I wake up every day to the great pleasure of serving the rodent challenged population with the safest, most effective ‘green’ rodent repellent in the world. It’s fun to be the first, and the best, and to see the rodent category change before our eyes as a result of our innovation - Fresh Cab.

At Earth-Kind, we do business the old fashioned way. We earn it customer by customer. No gimmicks, snake oil, or false claims. Just results, without the poison. Our customers are happy with Fresh Cab because it performs better than they expect, and it offers more value for the cost. So they tell others, and we keep growing.  We don't outsource our production overseas like many companies, instead we manufacture in small batches in-house to strictly control quality. Consistently delivering 100% customer satisfaction is worth the effort. The circle of life continues with new innovations around the bend, and an internal energy that’s bubbling up all over the place for 2012.

Since you usually hear my words as the leader of this company, I thought it was high time to give each of my co-workers a voice on our blog. There were no rules given, other than to share what they wanted, or share something that you, our readers,might not know about us:

Rita: Baby on Board



This company’s objective of being kind to the earth, kind to the people who make its products, and kind to the pocketbook is not just a slogan. When I started working here as a temp, I was pregnant and afraid that I would not be able to gain long term employment because I would be needing leave in a few months. Much to my surprise, I walked into an office that already had a baby in it! Another employee had recently had a baby and was allowed to bring her daughter to work with her. While my employment remained temporary, ending just before I had my baby, Earth-Kind called me shortly after my son was born and asked if I would be willing to return. They let me bring him to work with me which was an amazing experience! I had been taught growing up that employers would be less likely to hire women with children because they would end up missing more work due to their families, but Earth-Kind is the most family-friendly business I have ever encountered and for this, I am thankful beyond words!

Dan: Bean Counter Extraordinaire

I wish I would have known about Fresh Cab rodent repellent when my dad and I were still farming. I can SO relate to the Farmer In Charge (inventor of this awesome product) when it comes to having a mouse running around on you in the cab of a truck, tractor or combine. Without fail, every year my dad and I would thoroughly vacuum out the cabs of the farm trucks, tractors, and combine, and load them up with dryer sheets for winter storage. (We knew they didn’t work, but figured maybe they were better than nothing at all. We definitely knew they smelled better than the nasty moth balls my grandpa used to use). And without fail, every year the inaugural trip in any of these would result in a mouse or two scurrying around the cab in a panic, ending up on the driver’s arm or leg at some point. (Yes, I’m a grown man who may look big and tough, but those creepy little critters can startle the heck out of you…especially if you’re trying to pay attention to the road or a combine header.)

These days it’s a different story. Stored RV’s, boats, cars, and tractors are protected year-round with Fresh Cab, as well as the cabinets and closets in the house. No more little furry surprises, no more cleaning up nests and droppings, no more dealing with the stench mice leave behind. No more chewed up wires, no more reupholstering the destroyed seats every couple years. Just peace of mind and the great balsam fir scent of Fresh Cab!

Lisa: Army Veteran, outdoors lover, published detective writer

The best thing about working for Earth-Kind is that we contribute to the environment; it’s not just lip service. We don’t sell a line of toxic products, like other companies who sell environmentally friendly products. We may not be as big or as profitable as a result, but we come to work knowing that we are doing something good for the environment AND helping people prevent troublesome & costly rodent damage. No oxymoron’s here.

Theresa: Business Development, perfectly timed

The thing that strikes me is how dedicated and focused the whole team is on making sure Earth-Kind’s retail partners succeed. Many companies this small in size would embrace Internet based sales only. Kari knows how important local businesses are to the economic health of all regions of our country and she makes a concerted effort to ensure those businesses are successful with Fresh Cab, so that customers can get the lowest price, with the best service. It’s not uncommon to find Kari talking to customers, or personally writing thank you cards to retailers, employees, or partners who go over and above to help FRESH CAB customers solve their rodent problems.

Becky: Website & Office Diva

I love coming to work – almost every day! Before you are officially given a job at Earth-Kind, you must take a personality test. This test tells you more than you ever knew about yourself! According to the results, I was highly suited for much different work than I had been doing thus far in my career. Earth-Kind has given me room to grow and really believed that I could accomplish much more than I knew. I have grown so much since joining the Earth-Kind team. The best thing was being able to bring my newborn baby girl to work with me for almost 8 months! I love working for a company that not only cares about the Earth, but cares deeply for its employees.

Crystal: Web Order Wiz

Earth-Kind is a WONDERFUL company to work for. The office space smells like Earth-Kind All Natural Air Fresheners, since each employee keeps one in their office. The office may be small- but it is awesome! The co-workers are great people and always willing to help. Let’s not forget about the CEO, Kari. She is an amazing person. She has dedicated so much time and energy to make this company what it is today. Without her, none of this would be possible. We never know what the future is going to bring, since everyone is always brainstorming BIGGER and better opportunities for the company and customers.

Diane: Captain of Shipping

At the plant, the product you receive is assembled by handicap/disabled people. We have a team of 5 plus one coach that work 5 days a week. They work very hard to assemble the product from stapling to putting the final product into shipping boxes. During our peak time of the year we have 50 – 60 workers in the plant assembling product for you to use in your business, at home or your favorite vacation spot. These people are SO dedicated to us at Earth-Kind. Here are some of the things I see daily working with them:

Never complain

Never sick or late for work

Always have a smile on their face

Willing to do anything that you ask

Always wanting to do the best and when they don’t they are upset with themselves

Follow company do’s and don’ts

The best thing is:

        Willing to give hugs when you need them the most.

All in all, they are the best co-workers you could ever ask for.

Troy: Plant Manager & Superb Fresh Cab Maker

Wow, another year has come and gone and I can’t help but think what an amazing year we had here at Earth Kind, and we couldn’t have done it without the help from some amazing employees who made it possible. I am also very grateful for all the awesome customers we have, who continue to purchase our product and trust in it to keep their family and valuables safe. Here are a few things we do to make the best possible products, at the best possible price:

1)    We make our products in small batches to keep the quality high. Nothing beats happy, satisfied customers!

2    We chose the plant location due to the culture of the people in the area, and the proximity to our customers and raw products suppliers. This enables us to keep our prices as low as possible and not have a larger carbon footprint than necessary (even though this means more travel & hassle for management, but insures lower prices for our customers).

3)    Our suppliers have been the same since the inception of the business. We have very strong partnerships with each, and they often bring us fruit, pastries, and burgers and take time to visit.

Here’s to a rodent free 2012 from everyone at Earth-Kind!!!

New Year's Eve Party Recipes from Earth-Kind & Fresh Cab

Thu, 29 Dec 2011

Are you still wondering what you should serve for your New Year's Eve party? Or maybe wondering what dish you should bring to share? These three, fast and easy appetizer recipes that I am sharing with you today are fun and delicious. I don't know about you, but finger foods are my favorite! (Maybe we should blame finger foods for all the extra pounds we gain over the holidays.)

The first of my three favorite appetizers is the "Ultimate Party Meatballs". These meatballs are made with cranberry sauce and chili sauce, the perfect combination to satisfy your sweet and tangy cravings. The second appetizer recipe is for “Mini Crescent Dogs". They take only 15 minutes to bake and putting them together can be a fun activity to share. If you have kids around, it will be hard to keep them away from these little snacks. My third favorite appetizer is a colorful, sweet combination featuring fresh fruit. It is called "Fruity Fun Skewers". This appetizer is literally fruit-on-a-stick. To jazz it up, I include a strawberry fruit dip on the side.

Ultimate Party Meatballs:

http://www.ultimatepartymeatballs.com/recipes/ultimate

_party_meatballs.aspx

These meatballs are easy and fast to make for those of you who don't have the time or are not "self-proclaimed" cooks. The cranberry and chili sauce combine well to make the perfect toothpick popper.

Ingredients:

1 – 14 ounce can Ocean Spray® Jellied Cranberry Sauce

1 – 12 ounce bottle Heinz® Chili Sauce

1 – 2 pound bag frozen, pre-cooked, cocktail-size meatballs

Directions:

Combine sauces in a large saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring until smooth. Add meatballs. Cover and cook for 15 minutes or until meatballs are heated through, stirring occasionally.

Makes 30 appetizer servings.

Slow cooker Preparation: Place meatballs in a slow cooker. Combine sauces and pour over meatballs. Cover and cook 4 hours on HIGH.

Mini Crescent Dogs:

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/mini-crescent-dogs/detail.aspx

I remember a time when I was younger and my aunt made these crescent dogs for my cousin and me. Not only were they fun to make, but they were fun to eat. We could tear off the breading and eat separately or pop them into our mouths whole. They can also be transformed into a completely different taste with the addition of dipping sauces. I like BBQ and Ranch, but ketchup or Tabasco would be good as well. It all depends on what you crave (and what's on hand).

Ingredients:

2 (8 ounce) cans Pillsbury® Refrigerated Crescent Dinner Rolls

48 cocktail-sized smoked link sausages or hot dogs

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Unroll both cans of the dough; separate into 16 triangles. Cut each triangle lengthwise into 3 narrow triangles.

2. Place sausage on shortest side of each triangle. Roll up each, starting at shortest side of triangle and rolling to opposite point; place point side down on 2 ungreased cookie sheets.

3. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown, switching position of cookie sheets halfway through baking. Immediately remove from cookie sheet. Serve warm

Fruity Fun Skewers:

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/fruity-fun-skewers/detail.aspx

I like this appetizer because sometimes I am just in a fruity kind of mood and want all sorts of colors and flavors, plus they look great on the table! The best part about this is appetizer is that you can choose whatever kind of fruit you want to include. In case the fruit skewer alone doesn't satisfy your fruit fix, the strawberry dip is sure to top it off.

Ingredients:

5 large strawberries, halved

1/4 cantaloupe, cut into balls or cubes

2 bananas, peeled and cut into chunks 1 apple, cut into chunks

20 skewers

Directions:

1. Thread the strawberries, cantaloupe, banana and apple pieces alternately onto skewers, placing at least 2 pieces of fruit on each skewer.

2. Arrange the fruit skewers decoratively on a serving platter

Strawberry Fruit Dip:

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/strawberry-fruit-dip/detail.aspx

Ingredients:

1 (8 ounce) package strawberry flavored cream cheese

1 (7 ounce) jar marshmallow creme

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, mix the strawberry-flavored cream cheese and marshmallow creme until well blended.

Chill in the refrigerator approximately 1 hour before serving

-The best part about holiday parties is the yummy food-

Happy New Year Everyone! Enjoy a safe, fun Holiday evening with friends and family. See you in 2012!

How Earth-Kind & Fresh Cab saved the day for my New Years Eve Party

Tue, 27 Dec 2011

This New Year's Eve party is going to be SO much better than my 2011 party! You're probably wondering what happened at my last New Year's Eve party and boy am I going to tell you!

I got up early and put on my big, red 2011 hat. I was pumped to throw my very first party and have all of my friends come over, so of course everything had to be perfect.

I was walking around my house, in my hat mind you, making the last minute touches before my guests were to arrive. I realized they would need a place to hang their coats so they wouldn't need to go downstairs to put them in the guest bedroom. I had plenty of room in my coat closet, so why not. I opened it up to move a few things around and make a hole in the middle for extra jackets. When I made that hole, I found a TINY, GROSS little critter on the floor of my closet. It appeared to be dead but I went in for investigation. Sure enough, it was a dead mouse!

This became the very event that forced my discovery of Fresh Cab, but I didn't figure that out until after my party. Right then I needed something to mask the disgusting smell. I remembered that I had gotten all of my guests a variety four pack of Earth-Kind's All-Natural Air Fresheners, one in each scent. I grabbed one of them and read that it was an odor eliminator. That's just what I needed! I picked out my favorite scent (Pomegranate and Tangerine) and put it in my coat closet. Of course, at that point I had to take the Pomegranate and Tangerine scent out of each variety pack so it didn't look like I was playing favorites. Best of all, now I had more air fresheners to place around my house! I like these air fresheners because they are much safer than candles and have scents that you don't find in other air fresheners.

My guests all had a great time and liked their gift, but they all wondered why they didn't get the "really fruity one" that was hanging in my bathroom and coat closet. I kept my "mouse secret" and just smiled! My party ended up being a success, but I could have done without the finding a dead mouse and the smell that came along with it minutes before my guests arrived. I am happy to say that I am prepared for this New Year's Eve party with the help of Fresh Cab and Earth-Kind's all-natural Air Fresheners.

-Are you prepared for your upcoming New Year's Eve party?

-With the help of Earth-Kind’s All-Natural Air Fresheners your New Year's guests won't even need directions, they can follow their nose!

Happy Holidays from Earth-Kind, makers of Fresh Cab Rodent Repellent

Fri, 23 Dec 2011

Holiday pet safety tips from Earth-Kind & Fresh Cab rodent repellent

Thu, 22 Dec 2011

Make your house pet-safe this Christmas. Do you have relatives coming over this holiday who are packing pets along with all those baked goodies? Although you may not be a fan of pets coming to stay, you should make sure that your house is pet-friendly and safe for your 4-legged visitors.

Many people don't think about all of the dangers around the house for animals. Certain plants, leftover food and snacks, electrical wires and poisons for example can pose a serious risk for curious pets. Some common plants that are in many homes are toxic to dogs & cats including: Poinsettias, Azalea, Baby’s Breath, Aloe, Begonia, Calla Lily, Carnations, and Chrysanthemums.

Don't assume dogs can feast on all meat bones. Certain bones can be harmful to animals and it would not be good if your guests' dog got a hold of one. Make sure to secure your leftover food either in the fridge or in a trash can that can not be opened by a curious dog’s nose.

Now on to electrical cords and wires: puppies and cats are quite fond of chewing on things, especially cords to lamps, TV's and pretty much all of your electronics. You don't want an electrocuted pet or singed eyebrows of your own when you find where that little rascal chewed through the wire later. Make sure all loose wires are secured or well hidden. Especially all the Christmas lights!!

It is also very important that you clean up all poisons or waste materials that are harmful to not only humans, but pets as well. If you have a utility closet or room, make sure that the door remains closed. You may have paints, nails, rat poison or other things that look interesting to animals. Just keep in mind that pets have safety needs beyond those of humans and doing a walk-through around your house before they visit is a good idea.

For more helpful home safety tips-check out Purina.com and read the Home Safe Home article: http://www.purina.com/dog/safety-faqs/safehome.aspx

Give your guests something to be thankful for this Christmas, a safe visit!

No Mice in My Hunting Gear This Year!

Wed, 21 Dec 2011

I am sure you all remember well my mouse fiasco when digging out my hunting gear last month! Well I just started the process of cleaning and putting away all of my hunting apparel, guns, and accessories, for next year's hunting season. I certainly don't want to find another mouse nest in my gear like this season! Eeek! Mouse nest in my hunting gear!! No Rat Poison for me!

I bought a box of Fresh Cab^®, the natural rodent repellent. One pouch should cover my hunting closet, allowing me to use the other three pouches in my other closets to protect off season clothing. Using Fresh Cab gives me the confidence of knowing that I will not have a repeat of this season's shock when I found mice nesting in my Scent Lok^® and other clothing!

Here are 3 quick tips to help keep rodents out of your stored gear:

1. Put Fresh Cab in your boots, mice like to nest in boots. Here is a link that proves my point:

Dan & Guy Fitzgerald talk about Mice Rice in their boots

2. Put Fresh Cab in gun or bow cases to prevent nesting.

3. Make sure that there is no food or water within 20 feet of where you store your gear. Garden seed, trail food, and pet food, are all perfect food sources for mice.

The best part of Fresh Cab is that it smells like a balsam fir tree and deer won't even notice the smell. Our good friends at Team Fitzgerald placed a pouch on a trail to watch the deers' reaction and to their amazement, the deer walked right over it not noticing any difference in their environment. Perfect - No need to worry about the scent getting in the way of next season's hunt.

Earth-Kind is a proud member of PPMA (Professional Pest Mgmnt Alliance)

Mon, 19 Dec 2011

For those of you who are our customers or partners, you know that we ALL take a great deal of satisfaction by serving the rodent challenged population! But, we also take a great deal of pride in giving back to the industry. In addition to being a member with the NPMA, we are a supporting member of the PPMA. I’d like to share why.

The Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA), established in 1997, is the consumer education arm of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). Their goal is to increase awareness among consumers of the value professional pest management services provide.

Most people tend to think of pest management in terms of residential problems (ants, rodents, cockroaches, termites, fleas, etc.). The importance of the industry to the nation as a whole is much broader including food and health protection.

Public health officials attribute the quality of life we have today to three things: better pharmaceuticals and vaccines, better sanitation and better pest control.

Rats bite more than 45,000 people each year. Rats can cause fires by chewing wires and transmit disease organisms such as rat bite fever, salmonella, trichinosis, murine typhus, the plague, and leptospirosis.

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, more than two million Americans are allergic to stinging insects, more than 500,000 enter hospital emergency rooms every year suffering from insect stings, and between 40-150 people a year die as a result of these stings.

Without pest management practices, pests could destroy more than 50 percent of our food crops. Only 11 percent of the average U.S. disposable income is spent on food compared to 19.9 percent in Japan and 52.6 percent in China.

In a recent consumer survey, 93 percent of people expressed concern over finding insects within their home. According to a survey cited by the Army Community Service, insects and bugs rank as the public’s third most common fear, behind public speaking and heights.

Seven to eight percent of the general population is allergic to cockroaches. Studies of inner city children in Atlanta with chronic wheezing and runny noses revealed that 44 percent of them were allergic to cockroaches. Recent surveys have determined that cockroach allergens are the number three contributor to children’s asthma.

Cockroach suppression and eradication is vital to health care facilities, homes, and sites where food is prepared or served. Cockroaches contaminate food and spread filth by walking through contaminated areas. They commonly carry staphylococci, streptococcus, coli-form, molds, salmonella, yeasts, and clostridia.

Innovations in pest management parallel an increase in life expectancy. A child born in 1900 had a life expectancy of just 49 years while a child born in 2010 had a life expectancy of 78 years.

In a consumer survey, renters and homeowners were asked about the problems they’ve had with their homes or apartments. The number one problem they cited was insects. In fact, nearly half (45 percent) of the complaints dealt with insects or rodents in the home.

It would be difficult to find any segment of the food industry that could comply with federal sanitation and health regulations without an adequate pest management program.

This is one of the many reasons we find our NPMA membership and supporting membership with PPMA so important.

For more information on these associations:

http://www.npmapestworld.org/ppma/

http://www.pestworld.org/

Holiday Recipes by Martha the Mouse Detective None Include Mice!

Fri, 16 Dec 2011

‘Tis the season to be jolly, and to eat with family and friends!

I love the holidays; the parties, the family, and the FOOD! I really enjoy all of the different dishes I get to sample at holiday parties. The 3 dishes that are staples in my culinary repertoire are: Stuffed Peppers, Hash Brown Casserole, and of course Almond Bark Pretzels. These are all side dishes; it just goes without saying that my FAVORITE thing on the table is the HAM!

Since these are my favorite recipes, I thought I would share them with you.

STUFFED PEPPERS: AKA, Spicy Heaven

There are many different ways to make a stuffed pepper and you can stuff them with whatever you want. My favorite way to have them is with beef and rice, and the recipe that I provided can be altered depending on what you like. I am a huge fan of canned whole kernel sweet corn and I add this to just about anything, so naturally I add a can of corn to this recipe.

Ingredients:

4 bell peppers, any color

Salt

5 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, peeled and chopped

1 clove of garlic, peeled and chopped

1 lb of lean ground beef

1 1/2 cup of cooked rice

1 cup chopped tomatoes, fresh or canned (if using can, drain off excess liquid first)

1 tbsp chopped fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon of dried oregano

Fresh ground pepper

1/2 cup ketchup

1/2 tsp of Worcestershire Sauce

Dash of Tabasco sauce

-Follow this link for complete cooking instructions and delish pictures:

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/dads_stuffed_bell_peppers/

HASH BROWN CASSEROLE: Can’t go wrong with this one!

I have yet to come across a person who doesn't like this dish. It is made with butter, sour cream, and cheese, among other mouth-watering ingredients. This casserole is very simple to make, it does take a bit of time - but well worth it. You will find in the link that I provided that you can use sour cream or plain yogurt, I recommend the sour cream. Also, you can top the casserole with potato chips or corn flakes before putting it in the oven. I have always used corn flakes myself.

Ingredients:

1 cup onion, diced

1/4 lb. (1 stick) butter, thinly sliced

1 (8 oz.) container sour cream or plain yogurt (optional)

1 (8 oz.) pkg. Kraft Cracker Barrel sharp cheese

1 can Cream of Chicken soup

1 (2 lb.) bag frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed

1/2 to 1 cup potato chips or corn flakes

Stir together well the diced onion, sour cream or yogurt, grated cheese, thinly sliced butter, and Cream of Chicken soup. Add the hash browns and mix well.

Spread this mixture evenly in a casserole dish and top with crushed chips or corn flakes.

Bake at 350°F 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Makes 8 to 12 servings.

-Recipe found here:

http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1650,146181-250196,00.html

ALMOND BARK PRETZELS: My favorite!

These are a fun and perfect little snack to make. I melt down 4 squares of almond bark, which can be done in a microwave, and have noticed that it makes about 200 pretzels. You can buy whatever kind/shape of pretzel you want and just dip it in the melted bark. I usually dip one end of the pretzel and leave the other end bare. Make sure that you set the freshly dipped pretzels on wax paper so they don't leak all over your counter. I like to put Christmas colored sprinkles on them before they harden. Simple, quick and makes a delicious little snack that will fix your sweet tooth.

If you have time and are curious to try these recipes, please do! I’d love to hear which are your favorites.

Martha’s Pieces of Wisdom:

*No matter what new recipe you try for the holidays, the most important ingredient is family.

*People are so worried about what they eat between Christmas and the New Year, but they really should be worried about what they eat between the New Year and Christmas.

A Christmas Story; including mice, sticky traps & adventures of my youth

Wed, 14 Dec 2011

Let me tell you a Christmas story from when I was young, well it is kind of a Christmas story. One night, I invited a friend to stay overnight in my farm house. Most of my friends lived in town, so my house in the country was much different from what they were used to. On the farm, we were never short of adventures to embark on. We loved to explore old buildings, play with the farm animals, and just walk as far as we could on the seemingly never-ending land.

However, my friend was visiting in the middle of winter, in one of the coldest states, so that kind of put a damper on our outside adventures. We settled on staying inside and helping with the Christmas preparations. After eating the left-over cookie dough, we got bored and wandered off to find something else that would keep us entertained. It was always great fun to go downstairs and spy on my older brother in his room, but he would get pretty annoyed, so we decided against that! The idea of finding ice cream in the downstairs freezer really appealed to us, but we got side-tracked (as little kids often do) and started digging through the closet/pantry for hidden Christmas gifts. My friend thought she had struck gold and found one way in the back, so as I squeezed in next to her, she dove in deeper. In the process of crawling & searching, her hair swept across the floor. The next thing I knew, she was screaming and jumping around! Wouldn’t you know it, she had a sticky trap stuck in her hair – BUT not JUST a sticky trap, one with a DEAD MOUSE stuck to it!!

For the next several hours my mom worked tirelessly with a jar of peanut butter to get my friend un-stuck. Me, being the great friend I am was right there with a camera in hand the whole time.

She took home a lot of memories and pictures from that visit, to this day; she is still terrified of sticky traps and mice!

Now that I am older and have a home of my own – I still remember this story and take steps to ensure this sort of thing never happens to my children, or their friends.

I keep Fresh Cab® rodent repellent in all my closets and pantry

I hide my Christmas presents further up off the floor, to avoid creating hiding/nesting spots for mice & rats

Sticky traps are NEVER allowed in my home!

Have a great holiday season all, and remember to protect your guests, gifts, family & food from unwanted rodent guests!

Click here to read: Should I Use Mouse Traps in My Home?

No Mice or Rats in My Garage!!! YUK

Fri, 09 Dec 2011

I despise mice in my garage. One of my first garage winterizing steps is to put Fresh Cab in and around all my important items. By putting Fresh Cab in my garage I keep it rodent free and all the things that need to be protected like the lawn mower, the jet-ski, the motorcycle or the oldie car are safe too. If a mouse decides to nest in your lawn mower, it can cause a lot of damage to the wiring. It would be an ugly sight if my husband couldn't mow the lawn in the Spring because of mouse damage and all that mess - YUK! If you store an RV or camper in your garage Fresh Cab helps keep it rodent free too. It works if you store your camper in a garage or outside. RVr's Guide to Winter Storage

Now that you know how important it is to place Fresh Cab pouches in your motorized possessions, in order to keep rodents out of your garage, you must also place Fresh Cab pouches throughout the garage. I have found that good spots for Fresh Cab placement are next to any openings that mice may sneak through. Openings like the main door and side door, window casings, or the tiny cracks in the foundation. It is only natural that rodents will seek shelter and warmth away from the outside environment and a source of food. Once they find their way in your garage, the strong smell of Fresh Cab will quickly chase them right on out the same way they came in! In case you didn't know, mice can only see a few inches in front of their face. They follow scent trails and rely heavily on their noses for the sense of smell to protect themselves and to get around. They will run right back into the fresh air to get away from this human and pet friendly natural rodent repellent and leave your garage for good. Make sure you can always smell that fresh balsam fir scent (it reminds me of a Christmas tree) because that means the pouches are still working. If you can't smell the scent it means it is time to replace with new Fresh Cab pouches.

So remember:

-Place Fresh Cab around doors, foundation cracks, keeping mice away from vehicles and storage all year round!

-Keeping rodents out of my garage is easy with Fresh Cab!

-Fresh Cab is my favorite human and animal friendly rodent repellent, and the best part is that I don't have to deal with a dead rodent!

14 tips to picking the right natural rodent repellent for your needs

Thu, 08 Dec 2011

Earth-Kind is an industry leader in ‘green’ rodent control. We serve the consumer market, Government, and Pest Management industry with the first and only ‘green’ rodent repellent to meet Federal EPA standards for both efficacy & safety called FRESH CAB (it was invented to keep mice out of a tractor cab).

Fresh Cab is the #1 animal repellent on the USDA ‘green’ List. Over 4 million pouches have been sold with less than a 1% return rate. We certainly know rodents better than anyone else, since it’s all we do.

We take many calls from customers who are looking for the best option for their unique situations. Sometimes they need to call a pest management professional, sometimes they just need a lesson in how to seal up their property, and sometimes they ask us why our product is more expensive, or if it’s better than the competitors.

So, this post is to help those of yousurfing for answers. I can tell you right off that Fresh Cab is not for everyone. It’s up to you to decide.

Here is a checklist to help you decide which natural pest control product to buy:

What is the difference between a Fed. Registered product like Fresh Cab, and an EPA Exempt product like Mouse Magic? An exempt product is not independently reviewed for efficacy, a Federal registered product [like Fresh Cab] has been independently reviewed and must be at least 50-60% effective to become registered.

Do you need a product that will work when you are away from your $200,000 motor home, or tractor, or classic car for months at a time? If so, Ask the retailer what he/she would choose (likely this is the proven, Fed. Registered product)

Is the product recommended for indoor or outdoor use?

Will the product be placed around wiring that could be chewed - causing damage or fire?

Do you need a quick short term solution until the pest control professional gets there? ( likely you could get by with an less expensive exempt product)

Will you get your money back if it doesn’t work?

Is it made in the USA?

Was it safety tested for use around children, animals, and environment? ( exempt products have been generally recognized as safe, Registered products have been thoroughly tested and evaluated – even if all natural)

Is the company a member on good standing of the National Pest Management Association?

Are there any BBB claims against the company?

Google the product name for independent consumer reviews

Is there a toll free # to call for questions?

Google the company name to see if they are legit, and have a good reputation (look for industry memberships, independent trust seals, is the company president listed?)

Does the company have a facebook or twitter account so they can engage with customers who have problems or questions? Watch how they interact with their community.

We are lucky in this country to have so many choices, and freedom to choose!

Please call us for more help at 1-800-583-2921, or visit our learning center for dozens of helpful articles , or a side by side comparison of products that will help you tackle your rodent problem, or help you prevent getting one in the future.

Freshen Your Holidays the Old Fashioned Way

Wed, 07 Dec 2011

Are you looking for that perfect stocking stuffer? Maybe something extra for your spouse, a co-worker, a good friend or a neighbor? I have just the solution for you! I love giving and receiving Earth-Kind's All Natural Air Fresheners They are small, chemical free, odor absorbing air fresheners.

They come in four different, non-gender specific scents.

Woodland Escape

Sweet Clover

Pomegranate & Tangerine

Fresh Adventure

I like to use these odor absorbers in my bathrooms and next to my kitchen trash can. You can also try setting one next to the cat litter box, that works very well, take my word for it! Putting them in clothes and coat closets is a good idea too. I don't know about you, but I hate the smell you get from wet jackets, shoes, gloves and hats that have been sitting in a closet for awhile.

Winter is creeping up very fast, which reminds me, I better replenish my supply of Earth-Kind's all-natural air fresheners myself! Try putting these odor absorber to the true test and stick one in of your husband’s shoes, or better yet, his hockey bag...I won't tell, but I know you'll smell the difference!

My personal favorite is the Pomegranate and Tangerine scent, with Sweet Clover a close second.

Both have a fruity, sweet fragrance. But, if you are shopping for a male, try Fresh Adventure or Woodland Escape. They are more outdoorsy and give you a fresh natural air scent. The four choices appeal to your sense of smell and you won't go wrong if you choose them as a gift. They are compact, easy to use, smell great, and best of all...they are all natural with no chemicals. I like buying the variety pack of four, then each room that I put one in smells different and great!

So take my advice and pick some up for gifts and be sure to bring extras home for yourself!

You can find these air fresheners on Earth-Kind’s websiteor from online retailers

‘Tis Church Mouse Season, Learn How to Keep Mice Out of Your House of Worship

Mon, 05 Dec 2011

Remember when you were a little kid and you would see a mouse run across the floor somewhere where it shouldn't be...like in a church? It's already hard enough as a kid to concentrate on what the sermon is about, but then you add in that little mouse 10 inches away from your foot! Let me tell you, not fun...no matter how cute it looks, it's still scary!

After the sermon, it's FINALLY time to eat snacks and have juice while your parents talk to other members of the congregation. But then, yet ANOTHER mouse, coming from the kitchen! Makes you give that cookie in your hand a twice over. Seeing those things I can only imagine where else they are exploring or living: in the Christmas storage, in the coat closet, hmm, in the pots and pans! I wish that I would have known then what I know about rodents now.

How can this issue be fixed? You certainly don't want to find mouse nests while unpacking your church’s Christmas decorations, or have one fall out into your lap when unfolding the tree. Definitely do not want to find tiny holes and little droppings in all the wrapping paper and boxes! All of these things are signs that you have rodents, even if you haven’t seen them.

You can also tell which kind of rodents you have based on their droppings and the damage they leave behind. Mice are smaller in size than rats and so their droppings and the damage they cause will be as well. Protecting your things from rodents is easy with Fresh Cab:

Put a pouch in every box or tub where you pack ornaments

Place a couple pouches in with the Christmas tree

Put some in the closet or storage room where everything is kept

Another plus is that your Christmas tree will come out smelling fresh and outdoorsy every year, not musty and old!

Eeek! Mouse nest in my hunting gear!! No Rat Poison for me!

Wed, 30 Nov 2011

Have you ever been so excited to open a treasure that you packed away you can barely stand it, and then all of a sudden...you realize a mouse nested in your possessions?!

Hello, it's Martha the Mouse Detective again.

This last week, it happened to me as I was going through my hunting closet preparing for my next hunt. I'm sure you can imagine my horror when I noticed a mouse nest in my pink and camo hunting clothing! Now, pink may not be your first choice of hunting apparel, but mice don't care. They will make a home out of anything that is important to a person. To make matters worse, I also found a nest in my bin of Scent Lok® clothes!

I have no idea how those little pests got in there, what I do know is that when it comes time to pack my hunting gear away for the season, I will be putting Fresh Cab rodent repellent in my hunting closet! It's the natural solution, no need to introduce poisons to my hunting gear.

Thanksgiving, a time to be thankful and happy

Wed, 23 Nov 2011

Hi everyone, Martha here! I am the newest addition and blogger to the Earth-Kind family. I would like to take a few minutes to express my gratitude for the season of thanks. It seems as though there are so many empty thank you's out there, and I wanted to share with you the things that I am truly thankful for.

First things first:

my life

my family

my loved ones

the brave men & women who give us the opportunity to be with our loved ones every year for the holidays

Of course, I will not forget to be thankful for the all-natural, people, environment & animal-friendly, rodent repellent called...what else...Fresh Cab!

I hope that you enjoy and follow my blogs!

Happy I Found Fresh Cab to Get Rid of the Mice in My House!

Thu, 17 Nov 2011

Do you have pesky visitors in your home that you would like to get rid of in an all-natural, non-harmful way? I think we can all admit that we have experienced at least one mouse in our lives, and I would be lying if I said I didn't wish harmful things upon it. But when it comes down to it, I wouldn't want to kill the creature. After all, they made their way into your house for reasons just like ours; they need food, warmth, and shelter just like the rest of us. If we saw an opportunity to achieve those things, we would go for it to, right?

That is why I am happy to have found Fresh Cab. It's an all-natural rodent repellent that is safe to people and their pets. This product is used to attack the sense of smell in a rodent, and since mice rely on their ability to smell over their sense of eyesight, they will vacate your premises just as fast as they trespassed.

2% "Carbon Footprint" for a Rodent Control Product?

Fri, 11 Nov 2011

As a manufacturer, I thought it was important to analyze the entire life cycle of Fresh Cab^® botanical rodent repellent, from the field - to my plant - to retail shelves - to consumers - and back to the ground after disposal. I’ve seen & heard the words all-natural, organic, green, eco-friendly, non-toxic, and more being recklessly used all too often. I don’t know about you, but I always check labels, but labels only show if a package is green. What about the contents, the company, or the manufacturing process?

So, several years ago we set out to find out how green we really are! It turned out that we ended up earning the #1 spot on the USDA Bio-preferred list for animal repellents, and received the ‘gold seal’ from Green America, which is the highest trust symbol (and level of transparency) there is for consumer products!

Whew! It was a long process, but I’d love to share with my interested customers what it all means.

First off, how does one earn a BEES bio-preferred status on a natural rodent repellent?

The method we used for the analysis was a Windows-based decision-support tool from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) called BEES^©(Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability). BEES^© analysis measures the environmental and economic performance of building products (including animal repellents designed for use indoors and in enclosed spaces). The tool, based on industry consensus standards, gives designers, builders, and manufacturers important data to help them make their products more environmentally friendly.

BEES^© is sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency´s Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Programand supports federal Executive Order 13423, "Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management." The U.S. federal government is the world´s largest consumer of goods and services, and these programs encourage federal agencies to use environmentally friendly, cost-effective products and practices.

The BEES^© analysis included a rigorous, detailed study of Fresh Cab^®´s effect on:

• acidification (a process that lowers the oceans´ pH through increased CO2 in the atmosphere)

• eutrophication (a process where nutrient-rich runoff encourages too much algae growth in a body of water)

• human health (cancer- and non-cancer-causing ingredients)

• air pollution

• smog

• ecological toxicity

• fossil fuel depletion

• global warming

• habitat alteration

• indoor air

• ozone depletion

• water intake

The independent analysis showed that Fresh Cab^® has an almost unbelievably small "carbon footprint" of only 2%. ("Carbon footprint" is the popular term for the total amount of "greenhouse gases," such as CO2, produced by a person, product, or activity.) With Fresh Cab^®, the minuscule carbon footprint is almost solely transportation-related. It reflects the fuel needed to get raw botanical products to the Fresh Cab^® manufacturing facility, as well as the fuel consumers use to buy the product at retail stores.

To put it another way, nothing in Fresh Cab^® botanical rodent repellent is toxic to humans, pets, or the environment. Even the packaging is biodegradable. For this reason, in addition to an EPA registration number, Fresh Cab^® now also has a "bio-preferred" I.D. number with the U.S. government. When the world´s largest consumer of goods and services needs a natural rodent repellent, Fresh Cab^®, the proven green rodent control product, is among their preferred products. For more information about Fresh Cab^® visit: http://www.earth-kind.com/products/repellent/

Lastly, Earth-Kind earned the ‘gold seal’ of consumer trust from www.Green America.org, which is the Nation’s original and leading independent certifying agency for ‘green’ and ‘socially kind’ business. We were also honored to be named among the’ top 10 Peoples Choice’ this year out of 1000’s of entries! Click here for our online sustainability report:http://www.greengaintool.org/front/fronts/profile/2183

8 tell-“tail” signs of a mouse in the house: learn the signs, and how to kick them out – before you have to kill them!

Wed, 09 Nov 2011

Here´s the lowdown on mice: they´re not good neighbors.

Dead or alive, mice can carry up to 35 diseases, some of them fatal, including Hanta virus and Lyme disease. Mice & rats can do tremendous chewing damage to almost all household materials, such as books, furniture, floors, joists, and walls. (Rodents need to chew constantly or their incisor teeth quickly grow too long to chew efficiently and they can waste away fast) They cause 8% of all U.S. building fires by chewing on electrical wires. And two mice can create 15,000—yes!Fifteen thousand!—babies and grandbabies in one year. (See earth-kind/testimonials for hair-raising stories of rodent damage.)

Disease, death, and destruction: that´s what Mickey and Minnie bring to your home. How can you tell they´re moving in, and how can you kick them out swiftly yet humanely?

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, your first clue of an infestation may be one of these signs:

1. Droppings, urine trails, or urine pools in your pantry, kitchen cabinets, and other food storage places, along walls, and behind large appliances

2. Tail or paw tracks visible in dusty areas along walls or behind appliances

3. Squeaks, rustling and scurrying; you´ll probably hear these sounds best at night

4. Holes in food containers—and rodents especially love dry dog food

5. Gnawing marks on wood, plastic, or drywall, or little piles of dust from gnawing

6. Nests made of soft, fluffy material. These nests will be hidden in subfloors, between walls, in unused closets, in large piles of garage or attic clutter, or maybe in upholstered furniture or a junction box: any place that feels safe and warm

7. A stale, musky, "mousy" smell in closed-up rooms or closets

8. Greasy smudge marks along walls from their coats as they move in and out

Your first impulse upon finding any of these signs may be to buy all the traps and poison in town—but hold on a second. Poison can hurt children, pets, and the environment, and, as the mice die an excruciating death, they may gnaw your property desperately for several days. Both poisons and traps leave dead rodents for you to pick up and potential poison for non-target pests who feed on them. A few years ago, these would have been your only choices for controlling rodents, other than calling the exterminator, but now there´s a natural rodent control product, Fresh Cab™ Mouse Pouches, that simply drives mice from your home.

Natural rodent control solution works with a mouse’s instincts to kick them out!

The good news about mice and rats is that they´re driven entirely by instinct. If you understand those instincts—if you can "think like a rodent"—you can control rodents and keep them out of your home.

Think like a rat to solve indoor rodent problems: "Think like a Rat" to Solve Indoor Rat and Mouse Infestations using a Natural Rodent Repellent

Earth-Kind Founder & Farmer in Charge, Kari Block named 2011 ‘Outstanding Alumni’ from America's Leadership University

Mon, 31 Oct 2011

I’m so honored to be named as this year's ‘Bell Banner Award’ recipient from the University of Mary. This is a very special award, given each year to a recipient who best exemplifies the Benedictine values in their lives and workplace as a servant leader, and graduate of the University of Mary.

For those of you who know me, you know that my life is not about what I can get, but rather about what I can give. I’ve always found that my needs are met when I do this, and it keeps my focus on the things that make me feel the happiest – like helping people relocate rodents OUT of their homes and property; safely, easily, affordably.

For those of you who don’t know me, it’s my sincerest wish that I can make a positive impact on the environment by proving that nature can do it better when it comes to solving natural problems. Secondly, it’s to do this in a way that is kind to everyone along the way, yet still offers our customers more value than they pay for. The last part is where the education and moral courage I learned at the University of Mary are hard at work.

Press release: www.umary.edu/newsroom/news_release.php?storyid...

TV interview:http://www.kfyrtv.com/News_Stories.asp?news=52883

Left to right: Father James P Shea, Kari Block, Sister Thomas Welder

The Path to a Profitable Future is Innovation

Sun, 02 Oct 2011

Last week I had the great pleasure of attending the Innovation Engineering Leadership Institute in Chantilly, Virginia.

There were about 350 of us in attendance, 70% were engineers, and the remainder represented leaders from manufacturing and state organizations. We were led by Doug Hall, the revolutionary engineer from Proctor & Gamble. He’s like a combination of Bill Gates, Benjamin Franklin and Bozo the Clown.

As a board member of Dakota Manufacturing Extension Partnership, and green product developer, I was asked to participate. And Eureka –I’m glad I did! It was so much fun, I could hardly sleep for days!

I have to admit Doug tired me out, but he also inspired me. I think it’s a sign of a good leader when people are willing to engage for the ‘greater good’ and Doug brought that skill to the table. Most People in attendance were as engaged as I was.

See an interview with Doug Hall:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJsAXo4ByO0&feature=related

I write about this experience in my blog because I’m feeling hopeful for our future. I don’t think it’s just up to the Fed’s to create jobs, but all of us must work to create jobs. Manufacturers need to captivate consumers with their product offerings, and consumers need the incentive to buy ‘Made in The USA’.

Last I checked, consumers still have a choice to buy the best products at the best value

Consumers buy products that deliver more value than they cost.

Consumers buy products that are meaningful & unique.

Consumers like novel, new, innovative products & services.

As leaders, do we make excuses or do we take charge?

As of today, we don’t have enough engineering students in school to fill the USA job demand within 2 years. China does. Singapore does, Japan does.

So, how do we, as a country, re-start our engines, and re-captivate consumers to buy Made in USA? One answer is found in Doug Hall’s system. Based on his research, 94% of people fail from the system challenges, 6% fail from actually not being capable. When Doug’s system was used in 20,000 innovations through 6,000 teams, there was an average 6-fold increase in speed to market with a 30% reduced development cost! This translates to: higher wages for employees, and lower costs to consumers.

Here is Doug Hall’s 3 point system of Innovation Engineering Leadership:

1) Create: insight mining, and technology mining ( leverage diversity)

2) Communicate: teach the latest and most effective framework for persuasive communication ( how meaningful and unique is the innovation?)

3) Commercialize: fundamentals of commercialization ( grow & adapt or die)

You can learn more at www.innovationengineeringlabs.com

“Whatever you can conceive and believe, you can achieve.” Napoleon Hill

Green America People's Choice Award And Why Earth-Kind Needs Your Vote

Sun, 25 Sep 2011

Ok, I’ll admit, the personality traits of entrepreneurs are a bit different than most and I’m no exception. As a small business owner, being described as a visionary with an “engineer-wired” brain helps me cut new paths in an already overloaded world.

When Earth-Kind began, the goal was to provide a natural rodent repellent alternative to baits and poisons, to produce the product in the USA using farm grown products and to employ and empower people in a caring, respectful manner.

Today, we are realizing that dream!

Fresh Cab® is the only EPA registered for indoor use natural rodent repellent. We produce our product in Minnesota using US grown agricultural ingredients and employ developmentally challenged citizens to package our product. You can find us throughout the US in hardware, farm & home, implement and other small business retailers.

This dedication to social and environmental responsibility was recently recognized as we were chosen as one of Green America’s Top Ten People’s Choice Award nominees.

Green America supports small businesses, like Earth-Kind. Businesses that make positive contributions conducting business in a way that’s good for customers, employees, and the planet, not just their bottom line.

Green America’s mission is to create positive social and environmental change through the economy, not government policy. They believe consumers vote with their pocketbook, creating the winners and losers in business.

Green America has the most stringent review of ‘green’ businesses of any certifying agency. They review every aspect of a business to ensure that all practices are ethical from cradle to grave. Once a company passes, they are listed in the ‘Green Pages’. The Green Pages serve as a resource for consumers who desire to buy from companies who are committed to their employees, the planet, and their customers as much as the bottom line. It’s a win-win for companies & consumers who believe in creating a more just and sustainable society. Learn more at: http://www.greenbusinessnetwork.org/

Each year, Green America recognizes the businesses whose products or services are among the favorites in the Green pages directory with the ‘People’s Choice Award’. I’m honored to share that Earth-Kind was nominated as one of the ‘Top 10’ this month. Final voting for this year’s winner is taking place now through October 6th.

My warmest thanks to all of you who helped nominate Earth-Kind. Please cast a vote now for your #1 choice. It is quick and easy: VOTE NOW

If you’d like to listen to a radio interview I did regarding this award, click here ( it’s about 20 minutes)

5 expert tips to safely & effectively control rodents in dog kennels, and pet food storage areas

Thu, 01 Sep 2011

Bill Dillon of Plum Creek Kennels uses Fresh Cab in his kennel and RV 12 months a year to keep rodents out, without fail. Bills tip: place pouch in hanging suet cage off the floor to allow for easy spray-downs without having to move pouches daily.

Controlling rodents in dog kennels, dog training facilities, and hunting lodges is a big problem—but it’s never been easier than with the natural rodent control in Fresh Cab® pouches (www.earth-kind.com).

Rats and mice have always been experts at getting what they want. Even modern pest management professionals need to use every trick in the book to outwit them!

Controlling rodents in kennels, boarding facilities, hunting lodges, and pet food storage areas is a special problem, because dog food is the #1 attractant to hungry rodents. Second to that are dog stools (due to the high nutritional content) and traditional rodent traps & poisons with attractants added. All three lure-in mice and rats further perpetuating the problem.

For the kennel owner, several musts include: Raising a healthy dog, keeping a clean kennel, commitment to a safe environment for workers and pets, and having a great reputation that speaks for itself. Fresh Cab can help on all counts.

Damage from Rats and mice adds up to over $1 billion in losses annually. This demand for methods to control rodents effectively in “green” ways can be a dog kennel owner’s worst nightmare. Rodents are nearly indestructible. Mice can survive and reproduce in temperatures as low as 24 degrees if they have adequate food and nesting space. In one year, one mouse produces up to 18,000 droppings, and a mouse couple can create as many as 15,000 offspring. Rats have been known to eat up to 2.7 ounces of dog food in a day—that’s 61 pounds of food per rat each year! Add to this, an accidental poisoning of a champion dog you have raised or trained.

To control rodents in an eco-friendly way, dog kennel owners need a natural rodent control product. Fresh Cab is the first and only EPA-registered, indoor-use, natural rodent repellent. Knowing the five structural areas most vulnerable to rodents, and understanding how to use Fresh Cab, can help dog kennel owners win the rodent battle in even the hardest-to-control situations.

To keep dog kennel and pet food storage areas free of rats and mice, pay special attention to these five areas:

1. Drop ceilings. Mice and rats love dark areas where they can live undetected. Ceiling crawl spaces and drop ceilings are hard for humans to get to, which makes it hard to monitor and control rodents. Fresh Cab natural rodent control effectively keeps rodents out of these areas for a month or more—or can be used to chase mice and rats into another area where they can be successfully trapped or baited.

2. Meters and electrical panels. In almost any business, rodents seek out meters and panels as points of entry, nesting sites, and places to cool down or warm up. They also love to gnaw on wiring. Check around water meters, electrical panels, junction boxes, and wiring harnesses. Pay particular attention to hollow blocks or transformers near an electrical panel—they may serve as a nesting site.

3. Utility lines. Rodents have sharp claws, are great climbers, and love to climb and run along electric wires, pipes, poles, ropes, cables, conduit, augers, conveyors, and even underground utility and communication lines. A kennel owner controlling the rodents who can “read the building lines” has a powerful tool, and Fresh Cab is highly effective when placed where it will disrupt a scent trail.

4. Pallet racks. Pallet racks and partially capped upright beams in warehouses and distribution centers can be a superhighway for rodents, allowing them to come and go almost undetected. Many facilities have seen excellent results from integrating pest management methods with perimeter trapping, bait stations, and Fresh Cab pouches placed on or near pallets every 8 feet.

5. Holes. Pest management professionals doing an inspection should always assume that the structure has changed or deteriorated since the last inspection. Construction defects, gaps in fascia board, and poorly caulked entrance areas around wires and vents lead to rodent infestations. (By the way, caulk and expandable foam are fillers but are not sealers and will not stop rodents from entering.) “Stopping rodents at the hole” can keep a business rodent-free and is the ultimate ‘”green” solution.

Thanks to Fresh Cab, “green” and “effective” are no longer mutually exclusive concepts.

For tips on the most efficient use of Fresh Cab, go to www.earthkind.com

The 5 Rights Of A Manager as adapted by Earth-Kind

Tue, 23 Aug 2011

Being a really good manager, and having a really good manager is critical to the sucess of any company with a mission to do great things.

I find it’s the #1 thing day-in and day-out that will improve our employees overall job satifaction & performance, next to their doing important and meaningful work that gets appreciated.

Personally, I have worked harder to improve how I manage people than any other single thing in my business. The top include a BS in Mgmt. from Americas Leadership University, 6 months of consulting with Tony Robbins and Chet Holmes, working with Chris Young [RainMaker], membership in Vistage #3133, and reading over 300 books on the subject (my favorites come from Patrick Lencioni & Peter Drucker.)

I have the great pleasure to say it’s worked. Our business is beating all the odds - because all our people are beating the odds!

So, I’d like to share with my student blog readers this tool that can remove up to 90% of the conflict between employees and managers, and lead a good company to greatness if practiced!

The 5 Rights of a Manger

The Right to Set Clear Expectations

Spell out exactly what you want from your staff – clearly & concisely without buzz terms!

Be impeccable with your word. Say only what you mean. Avoid using words to speak against anyone, yourself, or to gossip.

Use the power of your word to communicate with your staff as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, or drama. If you don’t allow this, they won’t either.

Ask questions and express what you really want from them. Don’t ever assume your employee understands, or vice versa. When people make an assumption, they misunderstand, sometimes end up taking it personally, and often end up creating a whole drama for nothing.

The Right to Expect Top Performance

Let your employees know that you expect their best work, day in and day out.

Don’t all managers expect top performance? Not really. Many are reluctant to articulate what top performance looks like and how to achieve it. Managers will accept inefficiencies rather than confront an employee’s performance issues.

Simply put, you get what you tolerate, and you can only get what you measure and clarify. Chris Young from RainMaker tells me he loves his car, but it’s still good to check under the hood regularily. See his blog at www.maximizepossibility.com

The Right to Effect Change

Invest time in developing the strengths and mitigating the weaknesses of your employees.

Often, managers give up trying to change their employee’s behaviors to achieve success. While you may not be able to change a person’s basic nature, you can examine what’s happening – or not happening- in terms of performance. Some common weaknesses that can be coached toward strength are: organization, knowledge/skills/ability, stress, and clarity regarding goals and direction.

Encourage top performance:

Outline specific behavioral expectations

Provide the employee with all the resources they need

Conduct regular performance conversations with the employee

Match the employee’s skills to the best jobs and tasks for them

Encourage them to be the architect of their part of the organization

The Right to Fire Employees

If the employee is not right for the job, and can’t be utilized effectively in another position, then discontinue their employment. They usually want to quit, well before employers find out.

If there is a lack of necessary skills, or a mismatch with company culture, the time must come to say ‘no’ to continuing employment.

Before doing so, make sure you’ve taken the appropriate steps, Follow the discipline policy in the handbook. Make sure the probation memo lists the specific outcomes the person must produce to keep their job. If not met, terminate the employee with respect and dignity – always.

The Right to Make Mistakes (and Fix Them)

As a good manager, you have the right to make mistakes, admit them and fix them.

No one knows every correct action for every situation. It’s okay to make mistakes. When you do make one, you’ll earn your employees respect and trust if you admit it first, then fix it.

The above was adapted from Visage #3133 speakers www.vistagenorthdakota.com , books, and mentors . I hope you find ‘The 5 Rights of A Manager’ as transformational as Earth-Kind has. Kari

Supplier Highlight: Walter G Anderson Folding Carton Company

Sun, 31 Jul 2011

Growing a business can be great fun, but it certainly isn’t easy. There are many factors which lead to one’s ultimate success or failure.

These may be competition, market changes, knowledge of industry, regulation, sales strength, or availability of capital.

Anyone who’s in business knows the list goes on and on. And when all is said and done, we assume great risks- both social and economic.

Yet, if we work extremely hard, and everything goes as planned, we become the privileged minority who are forced to give back to the US Government up to 50% of what we earned through sound management. Any many of us are happy to do so.

However, a business person needs to remian diligent on many fronts whether it’s a successful year or not, and I feel strongly that we need to occasionally let our customers see what we do ‘behind the scenes’ to insure success, and reduce failure.

One of those things is to pick good suppliers.

At Earth-Kind, we have worked with many of the same suppliers for over a decade. We’ve found that working together with our suppliers to proactively keep costs down is better than jumping to another supplier, or going overseas to save a few cents at the risk of quality, stable supply, or US jobs.

We’ve also found that family 2^nd and 3^rd generation suppliers have the best customer service, and simply care the most.

Troy, Earth-Kind plant manager, and leader on our management team, recently visited one of our packaging suppliers, Walter G. Anderson. WGA manufactures our cartons, which is their specialty.

Here are some of the high points that help us better serve our customers:

They are 100% Powered by wind energy, and use recycled paperboard. This shows social responsibility.

They are a company that reinvests in itself- not only with state of the art equipment -but in their people. Many of their employees are second and third generation employees.

The knowledge of each employee in the plant is incredible- they are more productive & educated than their competitors. This helps their employees earn more, and saves the company $$, which in turn saves our customer money due to lower prices.

The place is exceptionally clean. This shows pride and sound management.

All quality control measure in place exceeds industry standards. We have never had to worry about cartons falling apart on the shelves, or customers unable to read the directions.

They treat smaller manufacturers, like Earth-Kind, no different than the large companies they serve. They know that the most innovative companies ( of which most are smaller) are key to their long term success.

If you eat breakfast cereal of any kind, chances are the people in the picture made your cereal box. To learn more visit them at: http://www.wgacarton.com/

Thanks WGA! You make our job much easier by your commitment to your employees & innovation.

WGA Employees

Why I Love My Job at Earth Kind, by Kasey Sell

Fri, 22 Jul 2011

I’d like to share a letter with you that I received from one of our assembly workers at our Minnesota plant. This worker asked me 2 weeks ago if she could write a story about her job at Earth-Kind. She said, “ It is important because I have never had a job for so long, and I want it to last forever!”

She added, “People NEED to know how good Earth-Kind products are made, and how good Earth-Kind is to me.”

Naturally, I’m elated to share Kaseys story on my blog, and take this opportunity to let the public know that we have 45+ other like-minded individuals who all give 100% of their heart and soul to assemble every FRESH CAB pouch our customers purchase.

Here is Kaseys story in her own words:

In January 11^th, 2010 I started to work at Earth-Kind at first I didn’t know anybody, but when I walked in there. I saw some people that went to school with me, some of them.

Then I met Diane and Amy – they are nice in person, they are really good bosses and plus they are good to everybody! To Mankato group and EPIC group, and that is the TRUTH.

And PS… we who make the FRESH CAB rodent repellent and many different stuff at Earth-Kind, all of us for the main boss, her name is Kari. She is a really nice person.

Jobs in Small Business Still Drive America's Economy

Thu, 21 Jul 2011

Twelve years ago, I was invited on a bus trip to the Minneapolis UMAGA (United Minnesota Association of Giftware Artisans) Gift Mart. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) sponsored the trip. Forty-six small business owners and six service providers filled the bus.

Like many others on the trip, I had barely started my business. I didn’t know anyone who had successfully sold North Dakota products outside the state or even regionally. We all had a dream, though, and this trip helped me follow through on the dream.

Our hosts—Tara Holt, then director of the North Dakota Center for Technology and Business, and Faye Behm, business development director for the SBA—opened our eyes to the world of distribution, sales reps, and retail buying.

Twelve years later, Denise Spanjer, current director of the North Dakota Center for Technology and Business, nominated me as a an SBA small business champion, and the SBA named me the state and regional women’s small business champion. The honor included an award ceremony at the Bank of North Dakota with many friends, associates, employees, family members, and supporters from entities such as SCORE (a private, nationwide organization that helps entrepreneurs) and the N.D. Department of Agriculture.

Then I flew to Washington, D.C. for the national SBA awards ceremony. Even though I didn’t win the national award, I was honored to go as the guest of North Dakota’s Small Business Person of the Year, Beth Strube of Funshine Express. U.S. Representative Earl Pomeroy was on hand to congratulate North Dakota’s state winners. On the trip, I learned more about SBA and its new director, Karen Mills. In addition, the many awards sponsors—all American business leaders—showed their commitment to small business in America, which encouraged and inspired us.

Small business facts that may surprise you:

The entire Washington, D.C. trip was a learning experience for me. Here are a few of my more important discoveries.

1. The numbers tell the story. Half of all jobs are in small businesses. Two-thirds of all new jobs come from small businesses. And four-fifths of all small business owners work from their homes.

2. Women’s entrepreneurship is booming. Women own a third of all small businesses and create new businesses at twice the rate of all new business combined.

3. The 3 “Cs” of the 2010 SBA strategy:

• Capital. Get $30 billion in new capital to community banks through the small business jobs plan, which has rates as low as 1%.

• Contracts. Help small businesses compete so that at least 23% of all government contracts go to them.

• Counseling. Increase help for small businesses through 110 women’s business centers, 900 Small Business Development Centers, and 364 SCORE counseling centers.

4. “Link—leverage—align.” This is the “mantra” of new SBA Director Karen Mills. Her strong background in economics, manufacturing, and advocate for USA competitiveness makes it no surprise that she has reduced home loan processing from 74 days to 7 days and disaster loan processing from 60 days to 14 days.

5. Disaster recovery loan program. North Dakota disasters don’t include hurricanes or oil spills, but we do have our share of blizzards, tornados, floods, droughts, and fires. The SBA’s disaster recovery loan program provides low-interest disaster loans to small businesses, who typically can’t recover from a disaster without help.

North Dakota won many awards this year, and one coveted National award, The Phoenix Award for outstanding contributions by a public official. Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker won this award for leveraging 3,600 residents to build sandbag and earth dikes and protect their city during the spring 2009 flood rather than evacuate. This saved the state more than a billion dollars and engaged citizens in an extraordinary way.

I’m excited about the future of small business in North Dakota and across the nation. Our energy, creativity, and commitment are the reason we’re the foundation of the U.S. economy. If we’re free to create and grow, the economy will prosper; if we’re hog-tied by regulations and red tape, the economy will fail. Here’s to unprecedented small business growth in the decades to come!

Kind Regards,

Kari@earth-kind.com

Complete list of ND award winners:

FIRST PLACE WINNER -Small Business Person of the Year

NORTH DAKOTA District -Small Business Administration (SBA):

FunShine Express

Beth Ehlis Strube, President

North Dakota District and Region Eight SBA

Young Entrepreneur(s) of the Year:

BoldMethod, LLC

Colin Cutler & Aleks Udris, Co-Owners & Partners

North Dakota District and Region Eight SBA

Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year:

Krause Super Valu

Kari Olson, Vice President & Dalles Krause, President

North Dakota District Winner SBA

Financial Service Champion:

Graham Goeson, SCORE Counselor & Owner of CPA Firm

North Dakota District- Region Eight -National Champion-SBA

Home Based Business Champion:

Wright Made Products

Boyd L. Wright, Owner

North Dakota District and Region Eight SBA

Minority Small Business Champion:

Nathan Berseth

Impact Foundation, Procurement Assistance Center

North Dakota District and Region Eight SBA

Women in Business Champion:

Crane Creek Gardens/Earth-Kind

Kari Warberg Block, Owner

Winning the Future with American Business

Fri, 01 Jul 2011

On June 29^th, I was asked to participate in a White House Business Council Region 8 roundtable. I was honored to be selected because entrepreneurship & innovation are two of my favorite subjects. And I beleive that’s where new prosperity starts.

As I drove from Minneapolis to Fargo to make the 10 am meeting at the Federal Building, I pondered on how far my entrepreneurial journey has taken me. When I first started, no one knew me. It was just me, and a burning desire to create products that solve natural problems in natural ways.

Now, 15 years later, I was recognized as a State leader? Pretty tasty koolaide on this hot windy day in the midst of an economic crisis.

Anyone who’s a small business owner knows it’s a painful job. It’s a profession born out of sacrifice and service to others. We assume all the risk, and get weeded out at a rate of 20 to 1 before we even make our first million in revenues, or $1,000 in profit.

Thinking about this journey, I’m reminded that as a small business, our reputation is our real currency. With a good one, we can start with nothing and build a great company with it – gold coin by gold coin- if our Government will only bring back the right PH to let it happen!

Today was about small business in America, and I am proud to represent these patriots of America. Next to veterans, and good parents, they sacrifice the most to create a better future for the next generation.

So, how did this meeting come about?

The President made clear in his State Of The Union address that we as a country must commit to winning our future. Out-innovating, out-building, and out-educating the rest of the world. After his address, the President asked senior administrators to get out on the road and host round-tables across the country to hear ‘suggestions for improvement’ from the Nations leading entrepreneurs & innovators in business, capital$, and heads of State.

Watch Video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xhu1VAhgShY

PS. Thanks to Dale Hannaher, Region 8 SBA Administrator who hosted this round-table; Jim Stai, ND SBA Director; Senator Hoeven, Senator Conrad & Representative Bergs COS; and the 6 others State and business leaders who attended. Job creation is hard work as we all know, yet it’s critical to our continued success as a capitalist society so we can all continue to live with the freedoms many have come to take for granted.

5 Expert Tips Pest Management Professionals Should Use to Safely & Effectively Control Rodents

Thu, 23 Jun 2011

Controlling rodents in food

preparation and storage facilities

is a big problem—but it’s never

been easier than with the natural

rodent control in Fresh Cab pouches.

Rats and mice have always been expert at getting what they want. Even modern pest management professionals need to use every trick in the book to outwit them. Controlling rodents in food distribution warehouses, restaurants, bakeries, and other food production facilities is a special problem, because traditional rat and mouse control methods—traps and poisons—may not be best.

Structural issues in these facilities often make traps and poisons ineffective. In addition, consumers increasingly demand less-toxic, no-kill, natural rodent control products. Studies show that 76% of adults want “green” solutions to pest problems, and 82% want to control rodents in environmentally safe ways. In fact, 64% will seek out and pay extra for eco-friendly pest management professionals—and that number is growing.

Damage from Rats and mice adds up to over $1 billion in losses annually.

This demand for methods to control rodents effectively in “green” ways can be a pest management professional’s worst nightmare. Rodents are nearly indestructible. Mice can survive and reproduce in temperatures as low as 24 degrees if they have adequate food and nesting space. In one year, one mouse produces up to 18,000 droppings, and a mouse couple can create as many as 15,000 offspring. Rats have been known to eat up to 2.7 ounces of food in a day—that’s 61 pounds of food per rat each year. U.S. businesses lose an estimated $1 billion to rats every year as the rats chew wiring, cause fires, damage doors and insulation, and eat stored products such as pet foods and cereal.

To control rodents in an eco-friendly way, pest management professionals need a natural rodent control product. Fresh Cab is the first EPA-registered, indoor-use, natural rodent repellent. Knowing the five industrial structural areas most vulnerable to rodents, and understanding how to use Fresh Cab, can help pest management professionals win the rodent battle in even the hardest-to-control situations.

To keep food preparation and storage buildings free of rats and mice, pay special attention to these five areas:

Drop ceilings. Mice and rats love dark areas where they can live undetected. Ceiling crawl spaces and drop ceilings are hard for humans to get to, which makes it hard to monitor and control rodents. Fresh Cab natural rodent control effectively keeps rodents out of these areas for a month or more—or can be used to chase mice and rats into another area where they can be successfully trapped or baited.

Meters and electrical panels. In almost any business, rodents seek out meters and panels as points of entry, nesting sites, and places to cool down or warm up. They also love to gnaw on wiring. Check around water meters, electrical panels, junction boxes, and wiring harnesses. Pay particular to attention to hollow blocks or transformers near an electrical panel—they may serve as a nesting site.

Utility lines. Rodents have sharp claws, are great climbers, and love to climb and run along electric wires, pipes, poles, ropes, cables, conduit, augers, conveyors, and even underground utility and communication lines. A pest management professional who can “read the building lines” has a powerful tool, and Fresh cab is highly effective when placed where it will disrupt a scent trail.

Pallet racks. Pallet racks and partially capped upright beams in warehouses and distribution centers can be a superhighway for rodents, allowing them to come and go almost undetected. Many facilities have seen excellent results from integrating pest management methods with perimeter trapping, bait stations, and Fresh Cab pouches placed on or near pallets.

Holes. Pest management professionals doing an inspection should always assume that the structure has changed or deteriorated since the last inspection. Construction defects, gaps in fascia board, and poorly caulked entrance areas around wires and vents lead to rodent infestations. (By the way, caulk and expandable foam are fillers but are not sealers and will not stop rodents from entering.) “Stopping rodents at the hole” can keep a business rodent-free and is the ultimate ‘”green” solution. (It’s always a good idea to keep a complete record of all rodent activity and counts found during inspections. Visit www.npmapestworld.org for technical tips on keeping a log.)

The regulatory environment continues to evolve, and consumer demand for “green” solutions is reshaping the pest management industry. Thanks to Fresh Cab, “green” and “effective” are no longer mutually exclusive concepts. For tips on the most efficient use of Fresh Cab, go to www.earthkind.com

Generating Opportunities under the Small Business Jobs Act 2010

Wed, 01 Jun 2011

Kari Block, board member of Center for Technology and

Business, attended “Generating Opportunities Under the

Small Business Act” conference at the Doublewood Inn of

Bismarck May 25th, 2011. This new initiative was signed

into existence September 2010 to stimulate the economy

with assistance to entrepreneurs that create new jobs. So,

how important are small businesses to the U.S. economy?

5 little known facts about Small firms

■ Represent 99.7 percent of all employer firms.

■ Pay 44 percent of total U.S. private payroll.

■ Have generated 64 percent of net new jobs over the past

15 years.

■ Make up 97.3 percent of all identified exporters

■ Produce 13 times more patents per employee than large

patenting firms; these patents are twice as likely as large

firm patents to be among the one percent most cited.

With respect to these facts, this conference was an ideal

opportunity to gain a greater understanding of how the

Bankers of ND, the Federal Reserve, Bank of North Dakota,

SBDC [Small Business Development Center] and USDA

Rural Development work together to provide programs and

support for women’s business, and rural entrepreneurs in our

state.

Since access to capital is key to any job creation, the Small

Business Jobs Act helps bankers “provide opportunity for the

hope out there” according to Jasper Schneider, ND State

Director for USDA Rural Development. Dr Richard Todd,

VP of the Federal Reserve Bank In Minneapolis Mn., states

that “Start-ups are the way we explore possibilities, and

banks need the tools to assist in saving and creating jobs for

a full economic recovery. As start-ups create 3 new jobs on

average, while big business lose 1.5 jobs per year on

average”

9 Reasons for the Small Business Jobs Act 2010, and what’s in it for the lenders:

1.Helps manage credit risk (for business’s who may be weak

on one of the 5 C’s of credit)

2.Helps to increase your loan portfolio

3.Helps to manage liquidity

4.Helps you manage lending limits

5.Help you manage your capital (no need to reserve against it)

6.Help you to increase your earnings

7.Helps you generate fee income as you service the loans

8.Help meet CRA consideration (meeting local needs)

9.PR generation for the economic development aspects of

these loans

For more information on how you can grow or expand your business

please visit www.discovernd.com; www.sba.gov ; or call the Center for

Technology and Business at 1-701-223-0707 / www.trainingnd.com

Earth-Kind CEO Recognized for Social Responsibility and Innovation

Sun, 05 Dec 2010

Earth-Kind CEO Recognized for Social Responsibility and Innovation

BISMARCK, December 5, 2010 - Earth-Kind, Inc. was awarded the Business Partnership Award from Minnesota nonprofit Epic Enterprise at its annual celebration to recognize area business leaders who partner with Epic to help individuals with developmental disabilities actively participate in the community.

The Business Partnership Award recognizes the special efforts by an area business to help job-site workers experience independence within their workday. Kari Warberg Block, Earth-Kind CEO and Troy Flaten, Plant Manager accepted the award. The Earth-Kind team was acknowledged for its close working partnership with Epic focused on providing meaningful, quality employment to people who love their jobs and the contribution they make to Earth-Kind’s success.

“We have been partnering with Epic for three years and are proud to have these fine citizens be a part of our product manufacturing process” said Kari. Linda Hibbard, Epic Executive Director added “Kari and the Earth-Kind team are a delightful example of our business partnerships: a business and people with disabilities, working together, for mutual success.”

Warberg Block’s success as an entrepreneur and product developer were also recently recognized as she was named a finalist in the first annual Vistage International Member Leadership Awards at the National Chief Executive Conference held in November.

Kari was recognized as one of three worldwide finalists in the innovation category. As an innovation finalist, the company leader must have taken on difficult problems or challenged assumptions to innovate or transform a business strategy, product and/or process that created significant business growth. Kari, a member of Vistage International since 2007, is the inventor of the first natural rodent repellent registered for indoor use by the EPA. Fresh Cab® natural rodent repellent eliminates the need for poisons, baits and traps when dealing with rodent issues.

“Kari is committed to creating natural safe and effective products that have a positive impact on agriculture, society and the environment,” stated Jon Jennings, Vistage 3133 chair, who nominated Kari for the honor. Today, her company Earth-Kind, Inc. manufactures and distributes the Fresh Cab product and natural air purifiers nationally.

About Earth-Kind, Inc.

Bismarck based Earth-Kind, Inc. manufactures and distributes natural solutions for nature’s problems. Its flagship product, Fresh Cab® rodent repellent, is e the only EPA indoor-use registered natural rodent repellent. The company’s manufacturing plant is located in Faribault, Minnesota and employs developmentally disabled individuals for product assembly. Its products are distributed through more than 10,000 national retail locations. For more information, visit www.earth-kind.com

About Epic Enterprise, Inc.

A nonprofit agency based in Dundas, MN serving the Southern Minnesota area, Epic Enterprise, Inc. strives to provide opportunities for people with disabilities to more actively participate in the broader community. For more information, contact Linda Hibbard, Executive Director, 507.645.6800

About Vistage International

Founded in 1957, Vistage International, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, California, is the world’s leading chief executive organization, serving more than14,000 members in 15 countries. Vistage member CEO’s participate in chair-led advisory board peer groups, receive one-to-one coaching, learn from expert speakers, and connect online and in person with a global network of CEOs from a broad range of industries. For more information, visit www.vistage.com

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kari Warberg Block

Earth-Kind, Inc. Founder / CEO

1.800.583.2921 or 701.721.4839

Keep a “gratitude journal” for the bounty of happiness your summer cottage or cabin gives you

Mon, 08 Nov 2010

In his A Short History of England, beloved British writer G.K. Chesterton (1874-1936) says that “gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.”

Happiness can strike even when weíre not paying attention. Wonder, on the other hand, requires us to be totally present in the moment. Itís only when weíre presentócompletely open and receptive to whatever comes alongóthat we can wonder at the bounty weíve received, often unearned, and feel grateful for it.

The summer days at your cabin or cottage were filled with abundance: a bounty of wonderful people, times, tastes, sounds, sights, activities, and rest. Be filled with wonder at the gifts youíve receivedóand do it in writing. Documenting your summer pleasures will double your happiness over the coming winteróand remind you to be present and receptive to bounty every day of your life.

Be grateful for bounty if you were blessed enough to be able to make improvements to your summer home this season. Regardless of what upgrades you made, and regardless of whether they turned out exactly the way you planned, they were a gift. The improvements will increase the financial value of your cabinóas well as the enjoyment value.

Keeping track of what you did, how much you spent, how the project turned out, and how it improved your life will not only help you establish the correct amount of insurance coverage but also give you something to feel proud of when itís late January and you feel like all youíve ever done is shovel snow.

And while youíre journaling, record your ìattitude of gratitudeî about being too busy enjoying the summer to complete all your planned improvements. Now thatís proof of a summer well spent!

Be grateful for the bounty of your flower or vegetable garden. Gardening is all about the wonder of starting with nothing and magically ending up with armfuls of beautiful or delicious produce or flowers. Include in your journal what you planted and what youíd love to do differently next year. Did family or visitors rave about a certain variety of fruit, veggie, or flower? Describe in detail what they said, how the food tasted, or how the plant looked or smelled. Youíll delight in these descriptions come winter.

Donít forget to explore in writing what you think made your less-successful experiments disappointing. Thatís part of the wonder of gardening: every year brings a new chance to start all over again.

Be grateful for bountiful memories. Relaxing times in a beautiful setting with people you cherish: these are the components of the very best memories. That pricey boat, spotless lawn, or world-class outdoor grill canít hold a candle to natural beauty and loved ones when it comes to making memories.

Even the most beautiful memories can fade, though, if you donít capture them somehow. Journaling about them will make the memorable moments as fresh during the late-winter doldrums as they were when they happened. Journaling has another benefit, too: it trains you to be present to remarkable blessings every moment of every day.

Be grateful for the bounty of opportunities to be your best self. Your cabin or cottage is probably where youíre happiest, most relaxedóand most creative. In other words, itís where youíre at your best. Profound ideas and solutions to problems often occur when people have a chance to become rested and happy after feeling rushed, tired, worried, and stressed. Keep your journal close at hand, and write down anything that occurs to you, even if it doesnít immediately make sense. Someday it will, and it may be a huge new breakthrough or the solution to an old problem.

Journaling your way through summer at your cabin or cottage is a free, easy, delightful way to maximize your blessings. Stop to wonder at the bounty. Jot it down. And open yourself to gratitude, where happiness is doubled.

“I was ‘green’ before green was cool” says the #3 home talk radio personality in America, Micheal King

Thu, 28 Oct 2010

I was honored to be a guest on Micheal King, the Cajun Contractor radio show last weekend. We talked about rodents, Fresh Cab and what ‘green’ means to us.

I found out the next day, when he called back to invite me on again, that there were close to 5 million people listening! Needless to say I was excited to be able to share our natural solution with so many new people! ( Thanks Mike!)

If you like to do home repair, or are a contractor, this is a great show to listen to on Saturday mornings. You’ll hear from all the top experts in the country that Mike hand selects based on integrity and sound science.

It’s not a show where they get you laughing, it’s a show where you can learn great stuff without the BS.

If you would like to listen, here’s a link.My portion is about 40 mns into the second hour link.

http://www.lifestyletalkradio.com/weekend_hosts/archives/ht.shtml

Click on October 23rd, 2nd hour.

I’m sure you are curous about #1, and #2:

Bob Vila, and Tim the Tool Guy, in that order.

Kind Regards my friends- Kari

Closing your summer cottage or cabin? Earth-Kind journal & checklist can help you enjoy the task

Fri, 15 Oct 2010

After a memory-making summer in your cabin or cottage comes the bittersweet job of closing everything up for the winter. This fall, use this 15-point checklist by Earth-Kind and keep a journal to make the task less of a chore and more of a joy—and to make next spring’s opening effortless.

Shut the water off and drain the plumbing system. If you’re not sure how, get trusted advice from your local hardware store or other cabin owners.

Turn off the power. If you don’t keep your cottage heated and don’t have an alarm system or any other function that needs power, shut the power off at the main switch box. Unplug every appliance. (If you do keep the electricity on, use timed lights to make it appear that someone lives there.)

Defrost the refrigerator and unplug it. Leave the door open a crack by hanging a dishtowel over the top of the door, or put an open box of baking soda or an Earth-Kind all-natural air freshener inside to neutralize odors.

Protect from mold, must, and mildew. If dampness is common in your area, place some proven anti-mildew products from your local hardware store around the cabin.

Remove all food. This includes canned goods, which might freeze and crack or burst open. Plastic doesn’t stop bears or rodents.

Put your garden to bed. Run the tiller through your vegetable garden and add fertilizer, compost, or even some fall rye to attract deer and add minerals and nutrients. Place a Fresh Cab pouch in your seed storage bin. (I use an insulated cooler with a secure top.)

Put your yard to rest. Mow your lawn and either rake up the leaves for compost or mulch them and leave on the grass. Apply natural fall fertilizer or lime. Trim branches that may serve as rodent bridges into the cottage. Keep all wood piles off the ground and at least 30 feet from the cottage to help keep rodents at bay.

Winterize vehicles, implements, or property behind. Put gas stabilizer in your gas cans and gas tanks. Start the engine or motor and let the gas and stabilizer run through the system to keep the carburetor from gumming up over the winter. Store your expensive property away from the water (which may rise), falling trees, wood piles (which attract mice), and direct sunlight. Lightly oil and lock all boat locks. Drain the water from outboard motors. Use a controlled storage area if possible.

Secure your shed. Pick up tools that might help thieves break into the cottage. Remove any debris that might attract rodents, place one Industrial sized Fresh Cab pouch for every 8 square feet of floor space, and then close and lock the door.

Inspect the roof. Replace any missing or broken shingles. Check the caulking around the chimney flashing (don’t use foam caulking; it won’t stop critters). Inspect wire mesh screens over chimney or attic vents.

Check the dryer vent. It’s the most common portal by which rats and mice might enter. Make sure it’s fully caulked (but not with foam) and has a wire mesh screen. Place a industrial Fresh Cab pouch just inside the vent.

Close and lock all windows. Close the drapes or blinds, or hang blankets over windows. Remove the screens if possible to save them from weather damage in your absence.

Ask neighbors watch your place. Make sure they have your phone number, and e-mail address in case they need to reach you if they can’t find you on facebook.

Protect your property from rodent damage. Before you leave, place industrial Fresh Cab pouches in all areas where mice & rats may go to feed, nest, hide or congregate. Areas like: the attic, pantry, under the sink, by the stove. When you return, your cabin will smell like a balsam fir forest – instead of moth balls or mouse damage. To learn more about the only indoor-use Fed. EPA Reg. natural rodent repellent visit: frequently asked questions when using a natural rodent repellent

3 last things to feed your soul.
1. In your journal, list at least 5 things about the cottage or the summer that you thank God for. Count your blessings. Remember, your journal might be read for generations.
2. List things that need repair next spring and gardening changes you plan to make.
3. Gather and prepare everything you need to make a fire in the fireplace: wood, matches, twigs, starter fluid. It may save your life or someone else’s in an emergency this winter.

These 15 Tips were sponsored by Earth-Kind, Inc., manufacturers of natural solutions for natural problems.

“If there’s a way to do better…find it!” -Thomas Edison

Fri, 01 Oct 2010

On Sept 15th, the MEP Board of Directors sponsored their first Board of Directors Summit to introduce Bill Waddell’s ‘Simple Excellence’ to 20 leading manufacturing companies in the Dakotas.

44 CEO’s, Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Directors and managers attended.

I wanted to share with you what I learned, and offer links to these great resources for your value. ( Bill is the tall guy in the photo)

Microsoft was a gracious host, and offered their facility in-kind, to show their support for manufacturing excellence in the Dakotas,

Bill began this great seminar by debunking many of the current management theories, by comparison/contrast to those of Henry Ford, and others who built incredible businesses by keeping things simple, and empowering thier people to meet well understood goals like “Proving what is possible” and “let’s measure success by the way we touch the lives of people.”

Bill’s shared 3 steps to ‘Simple Excellence’

• How to integrate the key elements of lean transformation.

• How to move from functional silos, to working as a team that can structure the entire organization to pull in the same direction.

• How to break though the complexity associated with managing performance improvement initiatives to make a course of simplification.

Key take-a-way’s for my team:

1. Get every single employee to focus on the value of our product from our customers perspective.

This subject is discussed within our company all the time, but Bill gave us some great ideas to make it a part of our culture: Like reward all employees for finding NEW ways to save money for our customers.

2. Figure out how to maximize our capacity.

Bill shared secrets with us from some of the most successful companies in how to improve capacity utilization. Don, the Microsoft Site manager had a great story to share on how he maximized capacity in his UND Football coaching days by using a “God Bless” rather than a “God Damn” approach. Bill also shared his approach “Use equal parts of head, heart, and gut.” They both agreed that a business should be managed similar to a family, with high ethical and moral standard that produces ‘great stuff’ in the world. A 5% increase in capacity can equal 10% savings for our customers at retail level.

3. Manage Cash Flow

Accounting in today’s world has become quite complicated, with no real innovation since the 1950’s. He proports ‘lean accounting’ which is a newer concept that offers a better way to look at a balance sheet, and manage cash flow. Bill noted that companies tend to think of their people as fixed costs, rather than assets. Therefore, companies miss out on the simplist ways to improve cash flow: with better employee contribution, on time delivery, quality, and improved cycle times.

To conclude: By paying close attention to customer value, capacity utilization and cash flow, any company can thrive - even in tough economic conditions.

About MEP: The MEP is dedicated to improving the competitiveness, productivity and profitability of companies in the Dakotas, and their commitment can be seen in the vitality of ND. Manufacturing, technology-based businesses, agricultural and energy industries continue to lead the Nation in all benchmarks.

This week the Bismarck Tribune reported that Bismarck ND is the #4 best place to work in the USA, with Fargo not far behind. Wages have increased faster than the National average, along with exports, innovation in manufacturing, and product/service offerings, and recognized Leadership. These accolades come as no surprise; they happen as a result of programs like Dakota MEP.

To learn more about Bill Waddel, visit www.bill-waddell.com

To learn more about Dakota MEP, visit www.dakotamep.com

Home is where the toxins are—Part B

Tue, 28 Sep 2010

By Kari Warberg Block, CEO of Earth-Kind, Inc., and natural products advocate

In my previous post, I discussed ways to safely get rid of toxins in your garage and basement. Today, let’s look at the rest of the house.

Bathroom

DRAIN CLEANERS. Most drain cleaners contain sodium hydroxide, a nasty solvent. Don’t breathe the fumes—and try to find an alternative so that it doesn’t go into the city water or rural ground water. Many enzymatic products biodegrade waste naturally. I’ve used baking soda and tea tree oil with good results.

BLEACH. Most bleaches contain chlorine, which is hard on the lungs and takes years to degrade in the environment. Many studies link bleach to breast cancer and environmental damage. For stains, I use a scrub brush with lemon juice, salt, or baking soda. Seventh Generation has a great cypress-and-fir tile and grout cleaner.

TOILET BOWL CLEANERS. If the label on anything states, “Do not breathe fumes,” think twice about using it. Most toilet bowl cleaners contain hydrochloric acid, which is toxic and corrosive. A good brush, used often, and the Seventh Generation cypress and fir product works wonders.

Kitchen

COMMON CLEANERS. Everyday cleaning products are often toxic. Bleach, floor polish, and tile scrubs—even the old-fashioned “natural” ones such as Simple Green—contain contaminants and carcinogens. I like the bio-clean Ecover cleaning products.

TEFLON COOKWARE. Most people who share their home with a parrot or parakeet are taught that turning the heat up extremely high under Teflon cookware may kill the bird with fumes. Yes, avian lungs are extremely sensitive, but no, we don’t want those fumes, either. Don’t heat your Teflon past medium, and don’t leave an empty Teflon skillet on a burner.

INSECT BAITS. 60-65% of all households buy products to control ants, cockroaches, silverfish, and other indoor insect pests. People with cockroach allergies can develop acute asthma—but cockroach control products can inflame asthma, too. For natural products, visit www.pestworld.org and search under “integrated pest management” or “Green Pro” to find a “green” pest management professional in your area.

To control ants in my home, I’ve sprinkled powered laundry soap into the cracks they use. A citrus cleaner is also a good measure, but can repel cats. For cockroaches, I use borate-based, all-natural products packaged by Nisus Corporation.

Living Room & Bedroom

FORMALDEHYDE. Yes, formaldehyde. It’s found in carpet, furniture, foam insulation, particle board shelves, cabinets, and flooring, and it’s a known cancer-causing agent. Clues that you’re dealing with formaldehyde include throat, nose, eye, and skin irritations. Every time I travel and stay in a hotel, I develop these symptoms and it takes me days to recover. I love older homes with wood floors and plaster walls (without lead-based paint), because they’re healthier, but recently moved into my first new home. Thankfully, we had a green-certified builder who made the home healthy.

AIR FRESHENERS. Each year, Americans spend about $5 billion on air fresheners, most of which contain hazardous chemicals. I can’t use any of the varieties found at the drug store or grocery store, and have had to make my own since I was a child. The large companies work hard to keep the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) from regulating air fresheners, which have been linked to the sharp rise in children’s asthma. Earth-Kind provides a free report on air fresheners—just call us toll-free at 1-800-583-2921 and we’ll send you one. We also enclose the information with every natural air freshener we sell.

CARBON MONOXIDE. This odorless, colorless gas is produced by incomplete combustion in boilers, chimneys, wood stoves, gas water heaters, charcoal grills, kerosene space heaters, and furnaces. Fumes are impossible to see, smell, or taste, but low doses can cause headaches, nausea, and fatigue, and high doses can cause death. Ask your gas company to test your heater or fireplace, and make sure it’s properly maintained. Install a working carbon monoxide detector on every level of your home and check regularly to make sure it’s working and has fresh batteries.

Home is where the toxins are—Part A

Tue, 21 Sep 2010

By Kari Warberg Block, CEO of Earth-Kind, Inc., and natural products advocate.

Hundreds of thousands of chemicals flood our daily lives. Whether or not we’re aware of them, they affect us to one degree or another.

According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), the air inside your home may very well be more toxic than the air outside. The average American uses 25 gallons of toxic chemicals each year, according to the National Resources Council.

When I was 7, I started sneezing and got a sore throat and rashes every time Mom cleaned house. We all thought I just had allergies. Thirty years later, scientists know better: I was reacting to toxins in the cleaning substances in our home.

What’s different today is that you can now order free “Mr. Yuk” stickers from www.mryuk.com to forewarn your kids about toxins. Put them on all toxins and teach your kids not to touch anything with a “Mr. Yuk” sticker on it. Place toxic substances in a locked, air-tight location, and dispose of them safely. To protect the environment and keep the public safe, the EPA regulates how you can remove toxins from your home. Visit this site for more information www.mryuk.com.

Room by room, here’s what I do in my own home to cut down on the toxins.

Garage & Basement

PESTICIDES. There are very few pesticide innovations these days that are natural. So, you may need to keep them ALL under lock and key in the garage (unless you can invent your own natural versions like me.) Here is the real reason you don’t see more natural solutions out there: The pesticides industry is regulated. Therefore, It’s very costly to get a product registered and licensed for sale –even if it’s all natural like ours. Upwards of 2 million on average. If you’re interrested, here’s the story of Earth-Kind’s efforts to register and license our all-natural rodent repellent.www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/160914

OTHER STORED TOXINS. The types of household substances containing toxins is nearly endless, but here are some of the most commonly found items:• paint and varnish

• solvents and wallpaper remover liquid

• mercury thermometers

• antifreeze

• charcoal lighter fluid

• photographic chemicals

• batteries

Poured down the drain, these substances pollute the water supply. In the landfill, they leach into the groundwater. And stored in the garage or basement, they can create deadly fumes. Mark them with a “Mr. Yuk” sticker and store them in a locked, air-tight place.

One of the best recent innovations is low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint, varnish, and stain. Until it came on the market, I couldn’t paint anything myself because I’d break out in a rash that lasted for weeks.

MOLD. Mold has an earthy, musty smell that can burn your nostrils and make you dizzy, among other symptoms. People with mold in their homes also often complain of depression and lack of concentration, and mold can sometimes complicate autoimmune diseases and asthma. Buildings containing black mold (strachybotrys) are often evacuated and condemned. If you smell mold, find the source—fast.Mold thrives in temperatures ranging from 40-130° F. If you suspect mold, call a professional. Moisture control, sunlight, and fresh air will help. B-Dry is great for mold prevention, and Natures Odor and Germ Control works well for mold cleanup. Buy a humidity gauge and a dehumidifier to maintain 30-55% humidity.

To remove the odors after mold is removed, or after a flood, there’s nothing better than our Earth-Kind All-Natural Air Freshener. I developed this product in 2002. The nation’s largest anhydrous ammonia spill occurred in Minot, N.D., and shortly afterward our home flooded. I needed to get rid of the mold and the musty smell, so I found out what the railroad had used to absorb the anhydrous ammonia from the air in Minot. It was zeolite, a natural mineral from Idaho that acts as a toxic abatement. I blended this with essential oils and plant fiber, and was amazed at how well it worked. I market it for use in closets and basements that don’t get fresh air or sunlight.

In my next post, I’ll describe how to control toxins in the bathroom, kitchen, living room, and bedroom.

Reuse: even better than recycling

Wed, 15 Sep 2010

When I was 5, my father took me to the Fresh Kills Landfill in Staten Island, N.J. Fresh Kills was the nation’s largest dump ground. There were thousands of acres of huge piles of garbage and landfill items. Dozens of people, including children my age, sifted through the debris, looking for items perfectly good items that they could reuse or sell.

Reuse, recycle: what’s the difference?

Reuse is often confused with recycling, but they have a very different effect on the environment. Recycling usually involves a manufacturing process that uses heat or chemicals to change a waste product in some way. For example, dirty disposable diapers are currently being recycled into roofing shingles and shoe insoles. Fewer diapers in the landfill: that’s good. However, the manufacturing process is complex, uses lots of fuel, and adds pollutants to the air. That’s bad.

Reuse, on the other hand, is exactly what it sounds like: giving an object another use instead of throwing it away. People have been reusing since we lived in caves. Modern examples of reuse include:

cutting worn clothing and blankets into strips and braiding them into a rug.

making miniature tomato plant protectors from used plastic gallon-sized milk cartons.

putting legs on an old door to make it a conference table or dinner table.

8 reasons that reuse rules

ENERGY. Reuse uses less energy than recycling or transporting material to the dump. It also uses less energy than manufacturing a new item to take the old item’s place.

POLLUTION. Reuse reduces air, ground, and water pollution. Landfills leak toxic liquids into the groundwater, and release one-fourth of all methane in the atmosphere. Burning refuse loads the air with smoke and particles. Manufacturing and recycling often release hazardous chemicals into the environment.

RESOURCES. Reuse is kind to the earth by limiting depletion of resources.

MONEY. Reuse saves money for the reuser, and also for the political subdivisions that have less landfill to burn or bury.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP. Reuse supports entrepreneurship and small businesses. Our Earth-Kind business model is built on using only agricultural by-products grown on our family farm. Thousands of successful antique, shabby chic, and home-based E-Bay businesses are founded on reuse.

STYLE. Reused items can be stylish and even trendy.

CREATIVITY. Reuse encourages us to use our innate creativity as we find new uses for old materials and objects.

WELL-BEING. Reuse provides a sense of spiritual, emotional, economic, and social peace that money can’t buy.

Read my favorite reuse book: Choose To Reuse: An Encyclopedia of Services, Products, Programs, and Charitable Organizations That Foster Reuse, by Nikki and David Goldbeck.

Entrepreneurs: daydreaming can create your next business breakthrough – Part 1

Mon, 30 Aug 2010

Business owners are generally hard-working and focused. Daydreaming doesn’t appear on most busy executives’ schedules.

But a wealth of research shows that a mind set free on the playground can find insight and discover innovative ways to solve problems.

Every business entrepreneur needs an occasional “Eureka!” moment in order to develop competitive new products and methods of delivery. Daydreaming may be the most effective way to invite that moment.

For greatest business success, create regular daydreaming opportunities

According to Vince Langley, who teaches organizations to have “common-sense quality,” most efficiency breakthroughs happen when a business pays its employees to take time out and let their minds wander for at least ten minutes a day. This is true even in the brick-and-mortar world of manufacturing.

Learn from creative entrepreneurs Dali and Edison

The daydreaming concept is nothing new to artists. Salvador Dali believed that his greatest period of creativity was just as he was falling asleep or waking. He intentionally napped upright in a rocking chair, holding a set of keys in his hand above a plate placed on the floor. When he “dropped off” to sleep, the keys would fall out of his hand and onto the plate, waking him instantly. Then he focused on what his mind had just been thinking.

Thomas Edison had a similar habit: he held a steel ball, which dropped onto the floor and awoke him to the inventions his mind had been creating.

Don’t waste your inspiration—act on it

My friend Dr. William B. Isaacson developed the intraocular contact lens for 3M. Here’s how he describes his “Aha!” moments:

“It’s simply catching a blinding glimpse of the obvious. I‘m usually doing something totally unrelated when it hits.

“However, recognizing it, or acting on it, is what sets the entrepreneur apart.”

Daydreaming is important, but not if that’s all you ever do. To succeed in business, you need to act on your inspirations.

Entrepreneurs: daydreaming can create your next business breakthrough, Part 2

Mon, 30 Aug 2010

Neurologists have identified several different brain “networks.”

When we’re daydreaming—thinking about our personal or professional experiences, or imagining the future of our business—we’re using the “default” network.

When we do complex reasoning to pursue short-term goals for survival, we’re using the “executive” network.

One network excels at creating unexpected breakthrough moments. The other one is a must for rational problem solving. With discipline and practice, we can learn to use both of these networks at the same time.

In other words, daydreaming + goal setting = success.

Don’t just “have” goals—work your goals

In The Entrepreneur Next Door, Bill Wagner explains that the combination of personal experience and articulated goals is often magic for entrepreneurs. Most successful entrepreneurs know that if their business goals are

• meaningful,

• in writing,

• and reviewed every day,

their dreams start to materialize—almost as if the cosmos opened up to help them.

On the other hand, if they don’t articulate their goals clearly, put them in writing, and review them often, the goals don’t help their business at all.

Be ready when opportunity knocks

When I created Fresh CabTM, it was out of a sheer need for an indoor rodent repellent that worked and was safe and affordable. There was no product like that on the market, so I took it upon myself to create one.

It wasn’t until years later that I realized that 28% of the population had the same problem, and that I needed to bring my product to market before someone else did.

How many millions of good, profitable business ideas are wasted on people who don’t act on them? In my experience, all it takes to create a new business is:

a problem

a solution

a demand

your own determination

4 great resources for entrepreneurs

If you think you have a good business idea, the first thing you should do is get confidential, experienced advice. Here are some places to start:

• your local Small Business Development Center

• your local Score office

• your local or state business center

• experts at a state university

If they can’t help you, they’ll send you to someone who can.

Part II: Entrepreneurial success: nature or nurture?

Thu, 26 Aug 2010

After decades of personal experience, talking with other entrepreneurs and business owners, and studying entrepreneurship, I’ve become aware of 6 traits that set successful entrepreneurs apart from the less-successful.

6 indispensible traits for entrepreneurial success

1. EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE. This may be the most important factor in achieving excellence. EI is the ability to understand and recognize your own emotions and those of the people you work with, and manage those emotions in appropriate, productive ways. A healthy “EQ” (emotional intelligence quotient) helps you and your organization flexibly adapt and change in order to grow.

2. CALCULATED RISK-TAKING. Entrepreneurs are high risk-takers only when they know they can affect the outcome. They don’t leave anything to chance, and volunteer for risk only when their efforts will influence the result.

3. PARTICIPATION. Entrepreneurs are players, not fans; participants, not observers. Doing the “dirty work” needed to give life to an idea is their idea of a party!

4. OPTIMISM. Successful entrepreneurs believe that with the right amount of time, effort, knowledge, and money, anything is possible. They’re resilient. They treat defeat as a temporary setback and an opportunity to learn something important.

5. STRONG BUSINESS PLANNING. A good business plan will go a long way toward compensating for not being born with entrepreneurial traits. Make sure that you can articulate your business plan on one sheet of paper and that everyone in your business understands it and reviews it often.

6. SMALL-BUSINESS SKILLS. The skills needed to run a big business are altogether different from the skills needed to start an entrepreneurial venture. In a big business, you need to protect resources; in a start-up, you need to create a resource. Understand this before you quit your day job.

Some of these key traits—such as the ability to do business planning and to develop small-business skills—can be taught. Others—such as optimism and healthy emotional intelligence—may be more difficult to achieve if you aren’t born with them. If you think you have what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur, a thorough self-evaluation is the first order of business.

Then you might want to take the entrepreneur readiness test from The Entrepreneur Next Door: theentrepreneurnextdoor.com/cgi-bin/tests/servey.cgi

Resources:

Learned Optimism by Martin E. P. Seligman: www.amazon.com/Learned-Optimism-Change-Your-Mind/dp/1400078393/ref=sr_1_1

Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman: www.amazon.com/Emotional-Intelligence-10th-Anniversary-Matter/dp/055380491X/ref=sr_1_1

FRESH CAB Receives Federal EPA Registration

Tue, 01 May 2007

On April 26th our all-natural product FRESH CAB was approved for sale as a “botanical rodent repellent” by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency. This registration allows us to label our product for that use, and give recommendations. It also ensures consumers that the product has been tested for consumer and environmental safety issues before being sold. Thankfully, Fresh Cab was found to have no known hazards!

The new outer package/label will be available by July 1st for sale in most states. You may notice a slight increase in retail price due to your states’ regulatory fees. You may also notice a newly designed website next time you visit. Lastly, I want you to know that we appreciate your business because we wouldn’t be successful without your continued satisfaction and support! We will always strive to earn this from you.

Kind Regards, Kari Warberg / Founder & CEO

Earth-Kind Blog

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Avoid the Deadly Dangers of Rodent Poisons, Use a Natural Repellent Instead

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City Magazine Cover Story: Kari Block Fresh Cab Rodent Repellent Entrepreneur

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire – but where there’s Fresh Cab, there’s no mice!

3 Easy ways to control mice inside of your home

Can 21st century science & technology lift the spirit to a higher place, and open the heart to a kinder earth?

Turn over an old leaf, start your own compost bin.

The Common Denominator of Success by Albert E.N. Gray

Why don't my Fresh Cab pouches have a strong smell?

Investing in young women means strong leaders for our future

De-clutter for a rodent free home Part 3

A Mouse in my Dryer Vent!

De-clutter for a rodent free home Part 2

Earth-Kind is Search-Kind, according to the new Web Marketing for Dummies, 3rd edition

Start the year off right; de-clutter for a rodent free home

Martha the Mouse Detective from Earth-Kind New Years Advice

Fresh Cab natural mouse repellent – what you DON’T know may surprise you.

The year-end green dirt on Earth-Kind, as told by the employees

New Year's Eve Party Recipes from Earth-Kind & Fresh Cab

How Earth-Kind & Fresh Cab saved the day for my New Years Eve Party

Happy Holidays from Earth-Kind, makers of Fresh Cab Rodent Repellent

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No Mice in My Hunting Gear This Year!

Earth-Kind is a proud member of PPMA (Professional Pest Mgmnt Alliance)

Holiday Recipes by Martha the Mouse Detective *None Include Mice!*

A Christmas Story; including mice, sticky traps & adventures of my youth

No Mice or Rats in My Garage!!! YUK

14 tips to picking the right natural rodent repellent for your needs

Freshen Your Holidays the Old Fashioned Way

‘Tis Church Mouse Season, Learn How to Keep Mice Out of Your House of Worship

Eeek! Mouse nest in my hunting gear!! No Rat Poison for me!

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Happy I Found Fresh Cab to Get Rid of the Mice in My House!

2% "Carbon Footprint" for a Rodent Control Product?

8 tell-“tail” signs of a mouse in the house: learn the signs, and how to kick them out – before you have to kill them!

Natural rodent control solution works with a mouse’s instincts to kick them out!

Earth-Kind Founder & Farmer in Charge, Kari Block named 2011 ‘Outstanding Alumni’ from America's Leadership University

The Path to a Profitable Future is Innovation

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The 5 Rights Of A Manager as adapted by Earth-Kind

Supplier Highlight: Walter G Anderson Folding Carton Company

Why I Love My Job at Earth Kind, by Kasey Sell

Jobs in Small Business Still Drive America's Economy

Winning the Future with American Business

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Damage from Rats and mice adds up to over $1 billion in losses annually.

Generating Opportunities under the Small Business Jobs Act 2010

Earth-Kind CEO Recognized for Social Responsibility and Innovation

Earth-Kind CEO Recognized for Social Responsibility and Innovation

About Earth-Kind, Inc.

About Epic Enterprise, Inc.

About Vistage International

Keep a “gratitude journal” for the bounty of happiness your summer cottage or cabin gives you

“I was ‘green’ before green was cool” says the #3 home talk radio personality in America, Micheal King

Closing your summer cottage or cabin? Earth-Kind journal & checklist can help you enjoy the task

“If there’s a way to do better…find it!” -Thomas Edison

Home is where the toxins are—Part B

Home is where the toxins are—Part A

Reuse: even better than recycling

Reuse, recycle: what’s the difference?

8 reasons that reuse rules

Entrepreneurs: daydreaming can create your next business breakthrough – Part 1

Entrepreneurs: daydreaming can create your next business breakthrough, Part 2

Part II: Entrepreneurial success: nature or nurture?

FRESH CAB Receives Federal EPA Registration

Holiday Recipes by Martha the Mouse Detective None Include Mice!