The many synthetic herbicides, insecticides, and pesticides available on the market do not just kill the pests but are equally. If not more, unhealthy and dangerous for humans, animals, and the environment alike. What’s more, apart from the health risks, these products are not as effective on pests as they might appear, sometimes not at all. The pests that might have initially died from these chemicals tend to develop resistance over time and come back stronger.
Considering how people are increasingly becoming aware of the same, their usage has decreased. However, not using pests control is out of the question. The need for a better alternative becomes intense. The following are some of the best natural remedies for all your home and garden’s pest problems.
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Citrus To Keep The Spiders Away
Spiders are not really big fans of citrusy items, and therefore using citrus to scare off spiders is the way to go. It is as simple as mixing unsweetened lemon or just lime juice with water. You may use the mixture to wipe the counters or put it in a spray bottle to spray down places such as window sills.
As for your garden, you may as well just spread around the orange, lime, or lemon peels to deter the spiders.
Dish Soap For The Fruit Flies
Fruit flies are no less than a nightmare for most. But just a straightforward hack can help you trap all of these annoying insects. Let’s have a look –
Fill the glass with vinegar or cider vinegar up to three quarters, then add 6-8 drops of regular dishwashing soap to the glass. Followed by warm water until it is filled to the top. Now, sit back and watch as the fruit flies disappear.
Get The Dust Mites Off Using Cinnamon Oil
Research suggests using cinnamon bark oil can help in controlling dust mites. All you have to do is prepare a solution of water and denatured alcohol (50-50%) and add several drops of the cinnamon oil to it.
Fill it up in a spray bottle and spray it anywhere the dust tends to collect in the house, with particular attention to the bedding and carpets.
However, to rid the house of the dust mites is not all that this spray does, as it will also leave your home smelling fresh and pleasant like a batch of freshly baked cookies.
Use Borax To Combat Roaches
Who could have thought that the classic laundry power, i.e., the 20 Mule Team Borax, could also be used to eliminate roaches from home? Well, the fact is, it could be, as it dehydrates and poisons the roaches once consumed.
All you must do is mix equal parts of borax and sugar in a small container and leave the mixture anywhere you have spotted the roach, near the windows, baseboards, cracks, among other places.
Basil For The Flies
No matter how clean or packed a house is, flies have their means sorted for a way inside every once in a while, if not more. But have you ever thought about using something as simple and helpful as basil to keep them away?
Well, the good news is that flies hate the very smell of basil leaves, so place a potted basil plant at the windowsill, doorways—even the kitchen counter to keep them away.
However, if there is not enough sunlight in your home to grow a basil plant, try putting some dried basil in a muslin pouch. Making sure you rub it occasionally to maintain a strong enough scent.
A Fake Wasp Nest To Keep The Real Ones Away
Given the highly territorial creature wasps are, you will not find a wasp nest within 20 yards of another one. However, to tell if that “another” wasp nest is real or fake is not something wasps are very good at.
Try buying or making your own fake nest and hanging them in both the front and backyard to keep the real wasps away.
Repellent And Barrier Plants In The Garden
Using one plant to protect another is not something new in gardening, as certain plants act as a living barrier for insects. Since plants like peppermint, Spearmint, and pennyroyal are exceptionally good at keeping the ants and aphids away, planting them throughout your garden arena is an excellent way to ensure pest control.
Similarly, for the plants that attract insects and pests through their aroma, try growing plants such as lavender and savory garlic around them. They will hide the scent of the plant that is to be protected, hence averting pests.
Pests To Prevent Pests
Using the very fundamental phenomenon of the food cycle, you can opt for the most natural way to deter harmful pests.
Many beneficial insects prey on the other pests you wish to remove, making the process much easier and more efficient. Provide these insects with favorable conditions and healthy habitat, and they will come right away to rid your garden of others. Contact the pest control expert to identify the actual pest problem and the best bugs accordingly.
Other Organic Items To Use –
What’s better than using the simple things that most already have around their home to deter the pests? Let us look at some other items you can use for the purpose –
Cedar – Placing cedar blocks around the house to deter moths, among other bugs, has been a widely practiced custom for various households. However, if you haven’t given the same a try, it is time to use that fresh and woody smell of cedar to prevent moths from damaging your favorite clothes and other linens.
Boric Acid – Since boric acid powder acts as a stomach poison for ants, roaches, termites, and other household pests, it makes for significant overall pest control consideration. When ingested, it kills the bug and is only slightly more toxic to humans and animals than regular table salt.
Just sprinkles it around pest-prone areas, and whenever any bug walks through the powder, it will stick directly to the skin or its legs. The insect then carries the same to its colony, helping you reach your pest-free goals.
Neem oil – As medicinal and impressively beneficial neem tree is, just as incredible is neem oil in deterring several pests, including mosquitoes and aphids. Mix the highly concentrated neem oil with other oils like coconut oil, tea tree oil, etc., then spray it around the house and garden and watch the magic happen.
CONCLUSION
Allergic reactions and side effects of using chemically loaded pest control solutions are not unheard of. Therefore, the need for alternative medicine and preventative measures is not only justified but imperative.
Evaluate your pests problems, and ask yourself, is there a way out of the same using natural methods? If yes, then it’s time to hunt the supermarket for alternatives such as bay leaves and carrier oil instead. Happy scrolling!
