When you have ants, mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, rodents, and other pests infesting your home, your first option may be to try the DIY approach. Hiring professional pest control means dealing with chemicals in your home, and these chemicals may be harmful to you, your family, and your pets. Store-bought products may have this same problem.
Texas summers can really bring out the pests. Insects love the summer rain and heat. Many are innocent, but there are those that bite and sting, like mosquitoes, wasps, and fire ants. These pests can cause a damper on your BBQ, pool party, or other outdoor affair.
DIY pest killers are a good option because they work without having to use toxins. When it comes to natural pest control solutions, you can try several of them at once. This is a good option if you’re having multiple pest problems or need to cover a larger area. As an added benefit, your home will likely smell quite nice as you get rid of unwanted pests.
How can you get rid of these annoying pests without going to extremes and causing harm to the environment? Here are some remedies to consider.
Non-Toxic Pest Control Solutions
Get rid of insects and other pests by using these remedies that you likely already have in your kitchen:
- Natural fly traps. An empty soda bottle filled with sweetened water will attract flies, which won’t be able to fly once their wings are wet. You can use sugar, syrup, or honey as sweetener. You can also add a few drops of vinegar to keep the bees away. Apple cider vinegar is good for fruit flies. Pour some in a small bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Then punch a couple holes in the plastic. The fruit flies will be attracted to the vinegar. They will be able to get in but not out.
- Essential oils. Essential oils are great for many things, and exterminating pests is no exception. They are easy to use. Just get a spray bottle and fill it with water. Next, add 5-10 drops of various oils, based on the type of pest you have:
- Roaches: Tea tree or eucalyptus
- Mosquitoes: Peppermint, lemongrass, or tea tree
- Spiders: Spearmint or peppermint
- Ants: Spearmint, peppermint, or lemon
- Flies: Rosemary, peppermint, eucalyptus. or basil
- Fresh herbs. Herbs are a good way to add flavor to foods, but for insects, rosemary and sage will ruin their appetites. These herbs are especially effective for mosquitoes. Add some rosemary or sage to the outdoor barbecue or fire pit to keep these annoying pests away.
- Coffee grounds. A cup of coffee may make you more alive in the morning, but for ants and other pests, it has the opposite effect. Those soggy grounds from your caffeine fix can be an effective repellent. Sprinkle them outside your house and you’ll see fewer ants around in no time.
- Banana peels. Banana peels are slippery substances that often stop people in their tracks, and they will stop garden pests in their tracks as well. If you’ve got pests – particularly aphids – in your vegetable or flower garden, plant a banana peel in the soil right by the plant stems. The decaying fruit peel will get rid of pests as well as fertilize the soil. It’s a win-win situation.
- White vinegar. White vinegar is something you should always have in your kitchen. Not only is it a great cleanser, but it also gets rid of ants. Take two cups of water and ¼ cup of white vinegar. If you have peppermint or eucalyptus oil on hand, you can add a couple drops as well. Use the mixture to clean the area you last saw ants and they’ll stay far away.
- Onions. When you see spiders, break out the onions – and not because you’ll be crying. While you might shed some tears when slicing up some onions, they will be tears of joy as you get rid of spiders. Just slice up an onion and place the pieces in a bowl of water. You’ll soon notice fewer spiders around.
Other Natural Remedies
Besides sprays and traps, there are other things you can do to get rid of pests in your home or yard. Here are some ideas:
- Add beneficial insects. Attract and encourage beneficial insects that prey on pests. Planting flowers such as marigolds, daisies, and lavender can attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings.
- Consider companion planting. Planting certain crops together can help deter pests. For instance, planting garlic, onions, or chives among susceptible plants can deter aphids and other pests.
- Rotate crops. Rotate the type of crops planted in a specific area each season to disrupt pest life cycles and reduce pest buildup in the soil.
- Add physical barriers. Use physical barriers like row covers, netting, or screens to protect plants from pests without using chemical pesticides.
- Apply mulch. Applying organic mulch around plants can help prevent weed growth and create an unfavorable environment for some pests.
- Maintain healthy plants. Healthy plants are more resistant to pests and diseases. Ensure proper watering, adequate sunlight, and appropriate nutrition to promote plant health.
- Pick out pests by hand. Regularly inspect plants and remove pests manually. While this may not be practical for large infestations, you could execute this for small infestations.
Contact Us Today
When you want to get rid of pests in your home, yard, or business, you don’t have to use harsh chemicals. There are gentler, more natural options.
When you need to bring out the big guns, contact Stride Pest Control. Our team of professionals use only the best products, application methods, and safety protocols in the industry. We offer the best possible service in the nicest possible way. Schedule a free inspection with us today by filling out the online form or calling (512) 777-1339 (Austin) or (210) 547-8410 (San Antonio).
