Need some family-friendly, DIY pest relief? Use these tips to protect your home!
Having insects in your home can be a frustrating experience. When they crawl on your counters and get inside your cupboards, you want them gone quickly–no matter what it takes. Unfortunately, many of the pesticides that kill common household pests can be harmful to your family and the environment. Although there are plenty of safe options when it comes to pest control in Florida, some people still prefer to try the natural, DIY route first. Here are a few natural remedies to keep pests away from your home with simple household ingredients, including:
Cinnamon
Keep bugs out by sprinkling cinnamon in a line at your home's entryways. Bugs won't cross it! Deter bugs from crawling into sandboxes by adding cinnamon there as well. Mix cinnamon bark oil with equal parts water and denatured alcohol in a spray bottle. Then, spray areas where dust collects to get rid of dust mites. The pleasant smell is a bonus!
White Vinegar
Did you know you can repel ants with white vinegar? It works by destroying the scent trails that ants follow. After filling a spray bottle with a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water, spritz countertops, and other surfaces where ants like to congregate. Repeat throughout the day for the best results.
Garlic
If pesky mosquitoes manage to find you no matter how large a crowd you're in, try eating garlic. When your body secretes the garlic, you will turn mosquitos away. For those people who dislike smelling of garlic, sprinkle garlic powder around your home for the same effect.
Lemon Eucalyptus Oil
Another way to protect yourself from mosquitoes is with lemon eucalyptus oil. Its strong smell appears to confuse their sense of direction and taste so that they can't find a host. If you do get mosquito bites, eucalyptus oil can also be used as an antiseptic.
Basil
Tired of swatting flies? Place planters of basil by your front door, at windowsills, and on counters where there is sunlight to help get rid of flies. If you don't get enough sun to maintain pots of basil, sprinkle dried basil in a muslin pouch in the same areas.
Citrus
Don't let spiders give you the spooks when simply rubbing areas with citrus peels can keep them at bay. You can also mix water with unsweetened lemon juice in a spray bottle and spray it on windowsills, in doorways, and on counters to deter spiders. Recycle lemon, orange, and lime peels by spreading them in the garden to keep spiders off your fruits and vegetables.
Cucumber Slices
Did you know that ants dislike cucumbers too? Protect your kitchen counters from stubborn ants by cutting up a cucumber and leaving it at their point of entry. The more bitter the cucumber, the more effective it will be.
Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract is not only a great thing to cook with, but it also makes a great insect repellent–and it smells delicious! Mix it with water and apply it to your skin to repel pests. Add other extracts for even sweeter-smelling results, lavender and mint are great options.
Onion
It doesn't smell as nice as vanilla, but an onion will repel insects just as effectively. Simply slice an onion and toss the pieces in a bowl of water, and bugs will stay far away. Many people grow onion plants to keep bugs from attacking other plants in their gardens.
Cedar
Moths can wreak havoc on the clothes in your closet. Fortunately, they have a natural aversion to cedar. Put cedar shavings near your clothing to prevent moths from chewing through the fabric.
Dish Soap
Yes, this seemingly normal cleaning item has superpowers when it comes to getting rid of ants. Simply pour a line of dish soap along baseboards, doorways, or anywhere else in your home ants tend to congregate. In addition, you can mix the soap in a spray bottle with some water for a great DIY ant-fighting spray.
Coffee Grounds
Sprinkle used coffee grounds around your garden outside your home. In addition, if you know where ants are entering your home, sprinkle some there too. Coffee grounds naturally repel ants, so using them in your garden will keep them from coming inside.
An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure!
Of course, the best way to get rid of ants is to make sure they can’t get into your home in the first place. Here are some of the best prevention tips:
- Close the doors: Although a summer breeze is nice, be sure to keep windows and doors to your home closed.
- Seal cracks: Ants are tiny and can find a way in even through the smallest of openings. Make sure that your walls are properly sealed, your floors are caulked, and that there are no cracks where ants could enter.
- Check for cracks and openings regularly: Just because you can’t find one now doesn’t mean there won’t be cracks, holes, or other openings a few months down the road.
- Don’t leave food out: Ants are attracted to food, so make sure your home doesn't look like an all-you-can-eat buffet to these critters. Keep food stored in airtight containers and take out the trash often.
Even with these preventative and DIY measures, the truth is ants and other pests can still find their way into your home. With a stubborn pest infestation, you may need professional treatment to completely rid your home of them.
Offering Superior Pest Control Since 1991
The fastest way to create a pest-free home is by working with a certified pest control specialist. Here at Evergreen, we believe that pest control doesn't have to be harmful to the environment. Our highly trained staff of exterminators can employ child and pet-friendly treatments to effectively eliminate pest infestations in your home. Our exterior pest control treatments protect your home from future pest infestations by creating a barrier outside your home so bugs can't get in. Since 1991, we've used the most advanced pest control treatments and techniques to rid homes of pests in Orlando. Protect your home from infestations this summer with our pest control services!
