Loving out in the country, the outside bugs are finding a way to keep

lemon and citrus scented plants can help, some mint plants as well In keeping bugs away. There are electric bug zappers to be had as well. go find some foam weather stripping and apply to the doors so they are sealed up.

Make SURE that the mould in the house is totally eliminated. Before your family re-enters the home. If necessary, get professionals in to destroy the mould. Also remember, that bleach does NOT kill mould. All bleach does is 'bleach' the bacteria. And more and most importantly. Find out the reason for the mould. ie there must be some sort of moisture ingress into the house. I've read of stories, where people have had to leave their brand new house, because of the encroachment of 'black mould'. Children have died from this - ie Chicago. Saw several stories about children who had died - unknown reason. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that these homes had basements, who had water in the basement, probably several inches and more, high. The pumping system was inadequate, thus a level of water remained in these basements. The mould, from the basement/s crept up the wall, and one story I can remember, is that a little child - in a cradle, died, where the sister in the same room did not. And the reason this little baby died, was the creeping mould. Because her cradle was next to the wall where the mould was. One of my sister in laws, became so ill for years, with the 'black mould'. They had built a straw bale house, with all the insulation materials required. Unfortunately, the building instructions were incorrect, so therefore in one of their rooms, water became trapped, and a huge black mould problem ensued. She (and her husband to a lesser degree) was so ill. Lethargic, couldn't do anything, couldn't get out of bed - so unlike her. In my opinion - get bug zappers. They are the best way to deter ticks, etc.. Ticks are insidious. One niece and 2 nephews in upper state New York, have all been diagnosed with deer tick Lyme disease. Seeing the accommodation is temporary, I would suggest a good dose of some sort of tick/insect repellent when your family is going outdoors. Also, check with the local pest exterminator/s and have them come visit, and check out the living environment. Natural remedies, ie mint, are less than effective; might I say, useless, because ticks etc. are so virulent and dangerous, that I don't believe it is worth playing around with 'natural' deterrents. For the health sake of the family.