Pests are a common problem for many households and people are often forced to
use toxic pesticides and chemical sprays to keep them away. What these people don’t know however
is that there are some very useful natural solutions to control or eliminate pests within or around
your home. Some natural pest control solutions are outlined below:
1) Flies – they hate the smell of basil and are repelled by the plant itself. If you are having issues with flies in your home, put pots of basil at doorways, windowsills, and on the kitchen counter. If you don’t have enough sun for potted basil then you put some dried basil in a muslin pouch and rub it in targeted areas occasionally to ensure the scent stays strong.
2) Mosquitoes – catnip has been shown to repel mosquitoes more effectively
than DEET. If you have a mosquito problem then try to grow some catnip plants at your home.
If this isn’t possible, than you can always buy some undiluted catnip oil and apply it to
your skin every two hours or as needed. Just watch out for any cats that may be around!
3) Spiders- they are not fond of the acidity or scent of citrus. What you can
do is start by mixing water and unsweetened lemon or lime juice in a spray bottle. Then, using this
solution, wipe down doorways and windowsills with it. If they are giving you problems in
your garden, then you spread lemon, orange, or lime peels around and this will repel them as
well.
4) Ants – if you have spotted ants, then make a 50/50 solution of water and
vinegar so that you can wipe down countertops and other affected areas. Ants leave a scent trail
for others to follow while they are searching for a food source. The solution of water and
vinegar will get rid of this scent trail that ants use to navigate.
5) Mice – a pair of barn owls and their brood can eat up to 3,000 mice in a
nesting season. How do you attract these guys to you property then? You can build an owl box for
them to nest in if you don’t already have a quiet rafter or tree crook available. If it is suitable
enough for them, then the same owls could return to this same place season after season.
6) Wasps – they are extremely territorial and they will not build a nest
within 200 yards of another one. Thus, you should buy and put up a fake nest! This can be found in a
number of stores online nowadays and once acquired put one up in the front and back yard and
are all done.
7) Fleas – by salting and vacuuming your floors you can kill flea eggs. Fleas
have a three day reproduction cycle however so you will have to be diligent in your efforts.
As a result, salt every day for nine days and vacuum every third day. Important note: ensure you
empty the vacuum every time or the live ones will crawl right back out again!
8) Dust Mites – Cinnamon bark oil has been shown to control dust mites so
first you can mix several drops into a 50/50 solution of water and denatured alcohol.
Afterwards, spray the solution on bedding, carpets, and any other affected areas where dust
collects.
9) Fruit Flies – You can trap fruit flies by filling a glass three quarters
full with cider vinegar, then adding six to eight drops of dishwashing liquid, and then filling it to the
top with warm water. This solution is extremely effective and should take care of your problem
right away!
10) Deer – quite a few people have found that hanging Irish Spring soap
around places that deer like to eat works pretty well in deterring them. Alternatively, sprinkle shavings
or small chunks on the ground to discourage them from feasting on certain areas as well.
use toxic pesticides and chemical sprays to keep them away. What these people don’t know however
is that there are some very useful natural solutions to control or eliminate pests within or around
your home. Some natural pest control solutions are outlined below:
1) Flies – they hate the smell of basil and are repelled by the plant itself. If you are having issues with flies in your home, put pots of basil at doorways, windowsills, and on the kitchen counter. If you don’t have enough sun for potted basil then you put some dried basil in a muslin pouch and rub it in targeted areas occasionally to ensure the scent stays strong.
2) Mosquitoes – catnip has been shown to repel mosquitoes more effectively
than DEET. If you have a mosquito problem then try to grow some catnip plants at your home.
If this isn’t possible, than you can always buy some undiluted catnip oil and apply it to
your skin every two hours or as needed. Just watch out for any cats that may be around!
3) Spiders- they are not fond of the acidity or scent of citrus. What you can
do is start by mixing water and unsweetened lemon or lime juice in a spray bottle. Then, using this
solution, wipe down doorways and windowsills with it. If they are giving you problems in
your garden, then you spread lemon, orange, or lime peels around and this will repel them as
well.
4) Ants – if you have spotted ants, then make a 50/50 solution of water and
vinegar so that you can wipe down countertops and other affected areas. Ants leave a scent trail
for others to follow while they are searching for a food source. The solution of water and
vinegar will get rid of this scent trail that ants use to navigate.
5) Mice – a pair of barn owls and their brood can eat up to 3,000 mice in a
nesting season. How do you attract these guys to you property then? You can build an owl box for
them to nest in if you don’t already have a quiet rafter or tree crook available. If it is suitable
enough for them, then the same owls could return to this same place season after season.
6) Wasps – they are extremely territorial and they will not build a nest
within 200 yards of another one. Thus, you should buy and put up a fake nest! This can be found in a
number of stores online nowadays and once acquired put one up in the front and back yard and
are all done.
7) Fleas – by salting and vacuuming your floors you can kill flea eggs. Fleas
have a three day reproduction cycle however so you will have to be diligent in your efforts.
As a result, salt every day for nine days and vacuum every third day. Important note: ensure you
empty the vacuum every time or the live ones will crawl right back out again!
8) Dust Mites – Cinnamon bark oil has been shown to control dust mites so
first you can mix several drops into a 50/50 solution of water and denatured alcohol.
Afterwards, spray the solution on bedding, carpets, and any other affected areas where dust
collects.
9) Fruit Flies – You can trap fruit flies by filling a glass three quarters
full with cider vinegar, then adding six to eight drops of dishwashing liquid, and then filling it to the
top with warm water. This solution is extremely effective and should take care of your problem
right away!
10) Deer – quite a few people have found that hanging Irish Spring soap
around places that deer like to eat works pretty well in deterring them. Alternatively, sprinkle shavings
or small chunks on the ground to discourage them from feasting on certain areas as well.
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