Finding insects in the home not only create unsanitary conditions, but can also be very annoying. I am sure nobody would want to deal with these creepy crawlies in their home. The buzz of a fly to the painful stings of the bees, wasps and scorpions, pests can be very irritating. Pests also contribute to allergies and asthma attack.
Most of us resort to commercial pest control, which is extremely expensive and full of harmful chemicals that can be detrimental to the health of your family. The most effective way to get rid of household pests is by adopting natural remedies.
Ways to get rid of pests at home:
Making certain changes in your home can help you get rid of them for good. Some common method includes:
1. Examination:
Examine the habitats of the pests in your house thoroughly. This is the first step in getting rid of the pests naturally. Check the wooden structures as termites are most commonly found attached to the wood.
2. Eliminate their food supply:
Insects, just like human beings require food, water and shelter to survive. Eliminating the food supply and destroying the hiding spots of the pests can go a long way in eliminating the pests.
3. Sealing:
Tighten the entrance that insects use to gain access to your home. This will improve your chances of staying bug free. Seal the cracks, crevices and gaps in the home exterior to block access to the home. Check the structure of the window to obstruct the entry of flies. The holes around the fixtures need to be sealed. Use weather stripping on windows and doors and screens on floor drains, windows and doors for further prevention.
4. Vacuuming:
The best way to get rid of household pests is by thoroughly vacuuming the house. Vacuum every square inch of the house, especially under the furniture and household appliances. This will not only kill the pests but will prevent its breeding as well. Make sure you empty the vacuum bag and discard it outside.
5. Bedding:
Wash your bedding in hot water to kill the dust mites and bed bugs. Detergents will have no effect on the mites and bugs unless you wash them in boiling water. Cover the pillows and mattresses well with mattress covers to prevent the penetration of dust mites.
Natural remedies to get rid of pests:
1. Cornmeal:
Cornmeal has an extremely sweet taste, which makes the ants unable to digest it. Sprinkle a pinch or two of cornmeal on the ant hub. The ants will eat the corn meal and will feed to the other ants, thereby killing them all.
2. Garlic:
Garlic is very useful for repelling ants and cockroaches. Leave a few cloves of garlic between the cracks to kill the ants and roaches. Do not forget to replace the cloves of garlic when they dry out. Mix one part of garlic juice with five parts of water and spray lightly on the exposed body parts to prevent mosquito bites.
3. Vegetable oil:
You can kill bugs like silverfish and earwigs by pouring vegetable oil in a shallow dish. The bugs will not climb once they enter and will eventually die a slippery death.
4. Boric acid:
Combine boric acid with flour and sprinkle on the breeding areas of the insects. The pests will eat it and eventually die.
5. Basil:
Fresh basil is excellent for repelling the bugs naturally. Take a few sprigs of basil and hang them in the doorways and windowsills to repel the mosquitos and flies. Alternatively, out some dried basil in a small muslin cloth and rub it occasionally to keep the strong scent. Flies hate the smell of basil.
6. Cayenne:
You can also kill the household pests with a little cayenne pepper. Take a spray bottle, combine pepper with water and add a few drops of liquid detergent. Spray it on the plant leaves every day to kill the bugs.
7. Eucalyptus oil:
Eucalyptus oil is very useful for killing spiders, cockroaches and other small insects. The oil is nontoxic and leaves a very pleasant smell behind. Combine equal quantities of oil with water and store in a spray water. Spray the mixture whenever you see bug appearing. This solution will kill the insects immediately.
8. Diatomaceous Earth:
Diatomaceous Earth will come handy to kill household bugs and garden pests like ants, spiders, fleas, bed bugs and other insects. It is made of the fossilized remains of the diatoms, single cell organisms. Spray some powder in areas where bugs and cockroaches congregate, like behind the appliances, cupboards and cabinet tops. Look for food grade DE that is safe to use. You can also rub some D.E powder on the fur of dogs and cats to kill the fleas.
9. Vinegar:
Vinegar is an excellent natural herbicide. It is strong enough to put an end to the indoor bug problem. Mist some white distilled vinegar in the kitchen and garden to repel small insects. Mix equal quantities of vinegar and water and wipe the kitchen area and anywhere you spot ants. Repeat this several times a day for best results.
10. Lemon:
Citrus is a natural flea deterrent. Make a solution using water and lemon juice. Wipe the countertops and window sills with this mixture to deter the entry of spiders. Spread lemon and orange peels in your garden as spiders are not very fond of citrus. You can also use this mixture with a sponge on your pets to kill the fleas instantly.
11. Catnip:
It is believed that catnip repels the mosquitoes even more effectively than DEET. It contains nepetalactone as an active ingredient, which is nontoxic to both human and pets. Grow catnip in your garden or apply catnip oil to your skin for mosquito’s bite protection. Catnip is also a natural cockroach repellant. Make sachets if catnip and place them in areas where you suspect the cockroach activity. Boil catnip in water to make tea and spray around the cabinets, dark places in the kitchen and wardrobes where the roaches hide most often.
12. Salt:
Spraying some salt on the floors will kill flea eggs. However, you need to be diligent as fleas have a 3-day reproduction cycle. Salt the floor every day for 9 days and vacuum every second day. Empty the vacuum bag every time, so that the live fleas do not crawl back again.
13. Cinnamon oil:
Cinnamon bark oil has been proven to control the dust mites. Mix a few drops of cinnamon oil in water and denatured alcohol. Spray the solution on beddings, carpets and every place where the dust tends to collect. You can also sprinkle some cinnamon at the ant’s entry spot. This will act as a natural barrier to ants.
Beer:
Fill small containers with stale beer and place them in areas where the slugs reside. Slugs like old deer and they often stop for a drink and will drown.
14. Copper:
Cut thin strips of copper and place them in areas where slugs travel. This will create a barrier, preventing the entry of slugs. You can also use eggshells, sand, gravel and sawdust to create a barrier.
15. Mint:
Spraying peppermint around the perimeter of the house will keep the ants away. Dried and crushed mint leaves work as excellent ant deterrents.
16. Cucumber:
Cucumber is natural and a nontoxic ingredient to repel pests like bugs, ants, wasps, moths, flies, and other insects. Place some cucumber peels at the ant’s entry point. Ants have a strong aversion to cucumber, especially bitter cucumber.
17. Borax:
Mix one liter of water with one teaspoon of Borax and a cup of sugar. Soak a cotton ball in this solution and place them in a container with holes punched in the lids. Place the container where ants are commonly found. The ants will try to carry the container to their colonies, which will eventually kill them. Keep the solution away from kids and pets.
18. Campers:
Campers are one of the best mosquitos repellent and are recommended by National Geographic. This non-toxic DEET- free repellant is most effective when placed low to the floor of the deck.
19. Neem:
Neem is one of the most effective natural insect killers. The seeds, leaves and oil of nee, contain sallanin, a compound that helps to repel the mosquitos. Neem and neem oil is extremely safe to use.
20. Cloves:
Cloves smell like mothballs and are proven natural deterrent against winged pests. Create a water trap by filling a small container with water and 4 cloves. Leave a night light suspended over it. The moths will get attracted to the light and will crash and burn, falling into the water. You can also add dish soap to break the surface tension of the water.
Prevention tips:
- Get rid of the damp areas and stagnant water as they attract insects. Do not leave water in plates under the houseplants or refrigerator.
- Clean the areas where the food is stored or prepared. Do not leave dirty dishes as they inadvertently feed the insects and pests.
- Dispose the food scraps and trash in tightly covered can. Clean up pet litter and tightly close all the garbage cans.
- Store the food items in airtight containers or glass jars. This will deter the insects from chewing through boxes and bags.
- Do not keep newspapers, paper boxes and bags for long periods as they can make cozy homes for the pests and insects. Checks for pests in packages and boxes before bringing them into the home.
- Wash and clean your pets regularly. Detect the furs well.