Effective Natural Remedies for Common Household Pests
Spiders aren't exactly pests but rather powerful pest-destroyers.
Chemical pesticides are powerful and fast-acting but far from the ideal pest annihilators. The fumes can irritate the lungs or cause allergic reactions, and the solutions may be poisonous, especially for pets and small children. Natural remedies are a valid alternative, so please read on to learn more.
Garlic
Garlic may not have the most pleasant odor, but this vegetable is a surprisingly good pest-deterrent for that very reason. Put peeled garlic cloves in cupboards and corners to keep ants, cockroaches, fruit flies, and mosquitoes away.
Cayenne pepper
Ants don't mix well with cayenne pepper, so it's a natural barrier against them. If ants make a colony within the home, sprinkle some ground cayenne pepper around their entry points. Unlike many artificial chemicals, the pepper is kitchen-safe.
Citrus
Spiders aren't exactly pests but rather powerful pest-destroyers. However, no one wants an invasion of spiders, especially not those who may be allergic.
The scent of citrus can repel spiders without harming them. Use a spray bottle and add water and some unsweetened lemon or lime juice to create a makeshift deterrent. Spray this concoction on countertops, doorways, windowsills, and elsewhere to keep spiders at bay.
Exercise care when spraying
Sprays can work wonders in the right circumstances, but they shouldn't be the first choice. Using sprays too much can be ineffective and wasteful. For that reason, look for other solutions to a pest problem.
Eliminate dust mites
The most natural way to stop dust mites isn't a concoction or an herb but frequent vacuuming of mattresses and pillows. A good way to kill dust mites is to wash bedding at high temperatures (130°F or 55°C). And for any stuffed toys, hot water and dryer cycles can keep them free of these pests.
More ant repellents
Ants are valuable for the environment but aren't very welcome in a home. Beyond the garlic and cayenne pepper remedies mentioned earlier, there are a few other natural options to dissuade ants from invading a house. Lemon juice, cinnamon, and peppermint work wonders, keeping ants at bay. Apply these remedies, alone or as a mix, to ant entry points and other places where ants seem to pass through to collect food. These substances are safe alternatives to chemical insect repellents and produce a pleasant smell around the home.
Keep pests away!
Natural remedies may not always work instantly, but they're healthy and environmentally friendly means of removing house pests without chemicals. However, these remedies aren't enough if you notice a severe pest invasion. Call a local pest control service to handle a serious problem before it becomes too much.
Kinder Safe Pest Solutions offers 17 years of experience in commercial and residential pest control serving Manatee and Sarasota counties. Call (941)254-2180 today!