Hello World! Welcome Friends! Traditional or commonly used methods of pest control can mean using harmful chemicals and pesticides. While this may result in your plants, fruit, and house being pest-free it can also cause damage to the environment and potentially cause harm to your health.
Luckily there are other ways to prevent pests from invading your home and garden. These methods are biological or organic and can involve natural substances or beneficial insects. Below are some things that you can use for your garden and some for the home.
Ridding Yourself of Bed Bugs
These little creatures are endemic in apartments, condos, and motels. Many countries on the backpacking trail have guest houses that suffer from bed bugs due to the transient nature of their guests. The ability of these bugs to hitch a ride on a traveler to the next hotel means they can spread quickly and easily.
These bugs are a real problem to get rid of and cause itchy bites, hospitalization in severe cases, and are known to cause homeowners mental health issues. Heavy-duty chemicals have been used in the past to kill bed bug infestations but there is an organic way. Diatomaceous earth is an organic way to kill any pests and it works well on bed bugs. It is important to note that there are different types of DE and the one you want to use in your home or garden is ‘food grade’ DE.
Food grade DE is useful for bed bugs, fleas, and insects that like to eat your flowers and plants. It is not only organic but it is perfectly safe for children, wildlife, and pets to be around.
Organic Ways of Controlling other Pests in the Home
Bed bugs are not the only creatures that like to dwell in people’s homes. If there are signs you have a pest problem then you can use some of these items to help rid yourself of the nuisance.
- Cucumbers
- Basil
- Boric acid powder
- Citrus
- Cedar
- Peppermint
- Neem oil
- Citronella
These organic pest control methods for homes work for different bugs and creatures.
Boric Acid Powder
This can be used for killing off cockroaches. By mixing it with sugar you will draw the roaches towards the boric acid which will kill it. It works well for ants and cockroaches but will not work on many other insects including fleas, bed bugs, and flies.
Basil Plants
This method might not be practical for everyone but if you have a windowsill that could accommodate a couple of small plants then try putting a basil plant there. Not only will you be able to pick fresh basil leaves but flies hate the smell so they won’t come near.
Cucumbers and Peppermint
Both of these are repellants to ants along with cayenne pepper.
Other Natural Ways to Repel Pests
Peppermint and cayenne pepper are also natural ways to ward off mice. Cloves are said to be unloved by these rodents too and of course, you could install a cat in the house.
Cedar can keep moths out of your home, spiders hate citrus and you can use neem oil and citronella against mosquitoes. Citronella can repel mosquitos while neem oil will kill them along with several other bugs.
Beneficial Insects
One of the ways that pest control companies are looking at garden areas is by introducing beneficial insects. That is to say, insects that prey on pests.
These insects will generally not cause harm to your plants in the way other pests will and they will actively help control their numbers. Ladybugs for instance are completely harmless to humans but will control aphids, greenfly, and caterpillars.
Other useful insects to introduce to the garden are ground beetles, lacewings, dragonflies, and chalcid wasps. Between them, these insects can kill mosquitos, greenflies, cabbage worms, and mites. For getting rid of termites, nematodes are being used more frequently as they are extremely effective at killing these pests off.
How do you Introduce Beneficial Insects?
To help attract beneficial insects you need to avoid using any chemical pesticides that might kill them along with pests. You will need to make sure there is a food source and this means planting flowers and plants that provide nectar and pollen. Avoid bare soil as this means some insects will not travel around to search for food. Plant shrubs, climbers, and trees too if possible. The bigger the variety of plants means you are likely to get a more varied group of insects.
Summary
One of the best ways of keeping pests out of the home is to keep it clean and tidy. Don’t allow food leftovers and dirty plates to lie around. Take out the trash and keep it away from the home. If these organic home methods are not as effective as you would like then a professional pest control company can help. They will be able to advise and help you to remove your problem efficiently.
Click the links below for any posts you have missed:
How to Choose Suitable Swimming Pool Tiles
Creating a Dedicated Gaming Room
Upgradations for your Home Renovation
Making Life Easier After An Injury
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Toodles,
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