5 ways to remove pests naturally
If you noticed some uninvited pests in your home, it might be tempting to call the local pest extermination company to handle the problem. But before you pick up the phone, it’s worth noting that harsh pesticides can often do more harm than good. Traditional pest control can pollute your water supply by seeping into the groundwater as well as releasing harmful pesticides into the atmosphere. Not to mention it can keep your furry friends from being able to enjoy your backyard.
Opting for natural pest control methods is not only safer but often more effective than traditional pesticides. Removing pests naturally has benefits like pests being less likely to develop a resistance to pest control, less damage to your lawn and garden, keeping beneficial bugs alive, and being safer to use around pets and humans. If that doesn’t convince you, eco-friendly pest control doesn’t require you to fumigate your home and evacuate! Talk about time and money saved.
Below, we’ve listed eleven different ways homeowners can use natural pest control methods to get rid of those pesky insects.
Grow a healthy garden
Make sure your garden and lawn have nutrient-rich soil so that your garden is healthy and less likely to attract pests. You can do this by adding fertilizer from your leftover food waste that you would either compost or throw away. Put those banana peels to good use in your garden!
Add some beneficial herbs
Herbs like mint, basil, and lavender actually have pest-control properties and serve as companion plants. You can add the following plants to your garden to do your pest control for you:
- Rosemary
- Clover
- Eucalyptus
- Lemongrass
- Petunias
- Chrysanthemums
- Marigolds
Use your spice cabinet
Spices can have a profound effect on pests: the strong smells from spices like cinnamon, cayenne, and paprika will deter pests from entering your home. You can make a mixture of one teaspoon of your spice of choice and one cup of water in a spray bottle and spray this on windowsills, counters, or other points of entry. Below are some additional spices you can use to ward off pests.
- Cloves
- Bay leaves
- Salt
- Tumeric
- Black pepper
- Try essential oils and vinegar
Essential oils have numerous benefits, including deterring the creepy crawlies. The same goes for vinegar! You can make your own pest repellent spray by mixing a cup of water, a quarter cup of vinegar, and a teaspoon of baking of your chosen essential oil in a spray bottle. We’ve listed some effective essential oils you can use below.
- Tea tree
- Eucalyptus
- Citronella
- Lavender
- Lemongrass
- Peppermint
Reuse your food waste
Like we mentioned above, your food waste can serve as fertilizer! But it can also be used to repel unwanted bugs too. Using citrus peels cut into small pieces in your fertilizer or on countertops and windowsills will ward off pests with their strong smell. Another option is using chopped onion in water and placing it in a bowl on your kitchen counter to get rid of mosquitos. You can even put coffee grounds around the perimeter of your home to keep wasps, bees, ants, and mosquitos away.
For more information on the benefits of eco-friendly pest control and how to use it, check out this infographic from Hippo.
