It starts with that first mosquito or flea bite and proceeds like a trail of ants through the rest of your summer. Conquering pests and taking back your yard doesn’t have to mean spewing toxic chemicals that harm the environment and eliminate useful insects. To deal with mosquitos, try New Mountain Sandalwood incense sticks, (pictured) available at Isabella in packs of 12 ($11) and at Ace Hardware for a little less ($9). Made from 100 percent Australian sandalwood, these are safe around children and animals and, the company claims, are 76 percent more effective than citronella candles. Each stick lasts 3-4 hours. Want protection when you leave the incense-protected zone? Check out these mosquito inhibiting/repelling wrist bands ($4.22 each). They’re waterproof and long lasting. The active ingredient is Geraniol and it claims to work up to 120 hours (keep wristband in resealable container between uses for best results, they advise). Your best bet may be with mosquito dunks, a very safe way to control mosquito larvae, which develop in standing water. The active ingredient, Bacillus thuringienses, won’t harm fish or wildlife or you, but those mosquitos won’t ever leave the water and take flight. One of the strongest products used in natural insect control is Pyrethrin. It’s made from chrysanthemums and is fairly non-selective about the insects it controls, so don’t use it as a preventative. Safer Yard & Garden Insect Killer combines insecticidal soap and pyrethrin. It breaks down quickly in the environment and is safe up to the day of harvest on edible plants. Apply only to specific areas needing attention. Effective against aphids, beetles, ants, caterpillars and many others. Planet Natural has a multi-page section devoted to natural pest control information and  products. Read about beneficial nematodes, diatomaceous earth and ladybug lures. Remember: What you put into the earth and air ultimately ends up inside of you.