Natural Pest Control

Written by Lee Wyatt (last updated August 5, 2013)

While you can always use some harsh chemicals to help get rid of those creepy crawly pests that seem to pop up everywhere around the home, why do it? There are other methods that you can use which are less harsh, and that carry lower consequences if accidents happen. Looking into some natural pest control options isn't all that hard, and can be very effective. Below you will find some of the more common pests you may encounter around the house, as well as a few natural options you can use to take care of them.

  • Ants. Ants are a pain in the rear end, and often times they can be somewhat difficult to get rid of. However, a fairly effective method that you can use is to spray a little bit of soapy water to help kill the ants. You can also try soaking a cotton ball or two into a solution made of one liter of water and one teaspoon of borax and a cup of sugar. Place the cotton balls near an ant traffic path, and they will begin to swarm it. The ants will then take the poison back to the colony, which will spread and kill off the colony. Use care with this method since it could be harmful to pets and children.
  • Dust mites. A good method for getting rid of dust mites is to do some regular thorough washing at 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Another method that you can use is to regularly vacuum items such as mattress, pillows, rugs, carpeting, and cleaning any drapes that you may have. In addition, you may want to avoid using any humidifiers, or possibly try using a dehumidifier, since dust mites absolutely love humid conditions.
  • Cockroaches. The best deterrent to cockroaches is having a clean home, however that doesn't always do the job completely. Believe it or not catnip is a natural cockroach repellent, and isn't harmful to pets. By placing a little bit of catnip into some boiling water you can create a wonderful catnip infusion that you can later on spray in areas that you may see cockroaches and help drive them away.
  • Mosquitoes. Remove any and all standing water sources that you may have around your home. These are the natural breeding grounds for mosquitoes, and by removing them you go a long way to removing the mosquito problem. However, if you still find yourself faced with a mosquito problem try mixing together a natural bug repellent using the following recipe. Mix together on part garlic juice with five parts water into a spray bottle. Remember to shake well before you begin to use it so that it is thoroughly mixed.

Author Bio

Lee Wyatt

Contributor of numerous Tips.Net articles, Lee Wyatt is quickly becoming a regular "Jack of all trades." He is currently an independent contractor specializing in writing and editing. Contact him today for all of your writing and editing needs! Click here to contact. ...

MORE FROM LEE

Painting Bathroom Cabinets

The most easy and economical method for giving your bathroom a face lift is by painting your bathroom cabinets. Painting ...

Discover More

Moving and Storage Companies

Moving and storage companies are an absolute necessity when it comes time to move across the country, especially if you ...

Discover More

Consequences of Bankruptcy

One of the more popular choices for those who face some serious monetary problems is to file bankruptcy. Unfortunately, ...

Discover More

Zap Flying Bugs! Simply press the button and swing. Once the fly, wasp, mosquito, or bug touches the screen it is instantly zapped! Simple to use and totally effective. No cords to tangle; uses only two AA batteries. Check out Executioner Flying Bug Swatter today!

More Pest Tips

Managing the Japanese Lady Beetle

Whether you call them lady bugs or lady beetles, you can tell them apart from other insects by their colored, spotted ...

Discover More

Ridding Your Home of Silverfish

The best way to rid your home of silverfish is to create a non-friendly environment for them to live in. Keep your home ...

Discover More

Eliminating Earwigs

Follow the tips within this article to eliminate earwigs from your home. If you find that you have a large infestation, ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is four more than 3?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)