Living without air conditioning has its challenges, and with experience, Joyce Gann has learned how to do it.

• Line closets with red cedar to repel moths, silverfish and other critters. For doors, use a perforated material to keep down mildew.

• Put cedar blocks in dresser drawers.

• Buy furniture made of solid wood; veneer or particle board will disintegrate.

• Antiques and South American woods endure high humidity better than other types. Newer woods tend to mildew.

• Bamboo roll-up blinds in the master bedroom allow air flow when they are in use to block light.

• Keep an eye on the surrounding hammock to make sure vegetation allows air to flow into the house. At the Ganns' home, wild coffee tends to sprout up from seed, and can dominate the understory. The Ganns remove seedlings or trim them up into tree shapes so air flow is not impeded.

• Clean the flat roof annually of tree seedlings.

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