So you want a pest free home and you don’t know how to do it. Those ant, roaches and fruit flies are so getting on your nerves that you are ready to scream each time you enter your kitchen. That’s the most common scenario for all of us and haven’t we tried almost every remedy there is?? Well, there is no harm in trying a few more and which will actually work. Here are 14 natural ways to show you how to get rid of pests from your home once and for all and they aren’t harmful or toxic to your family.
Cockroaches usually come for food and water and as long as there is no food in the kitchen, you don’t have to bother but as long as there will be even tiny food particles lodged in corners and the floor, these pesky creatures will swarm your kitchen. The tiny ones have a habit of creating an infestation rather than the big ones. So here’s what to do.
Image Source: thinhouse.net
Take an empty soft plastic drink container (bottle) now slice off the top neatly and assemble the trap like you see in the image. It should look like a funnel. Apply tape around the rim which will seal it tight. Now pour water into it which is the most likely to attract the roaches. Once they get in, they will never be able to get out. You can coat the rim of the nozzle of the bottle with some food as bait. This works for the individual cockroaches and won’t affect the nest.
Image Source: getridpests.com
There are also some well known effective cockroach repellents for kitchen cupboards and draws or even closets, stationary draws and cupboards. Just strew pieces of bay leaf in these areas as cockroaches hate bay leaf. To keep it neat, you can place a sheet of newspaper or any paper inside the drawer and add the bay leaf beneath the papers.
Image Source: i.ytimg.com
These can be truly annoying but this trap will get rid of them. Just use apple cider vinegar and pour it into a glass jar. Chop some rotten or overripe fruit and throw it in. make a paper funnel and put it into the jar which creates the trap. Keep it overnight in any of the areas that are infested. Once it is full, get rid of the trap and make a new one.
Image Source: novi.ba
Mosquitoes are one of the peskiest and most dangerous of insects that can be harmful for health. Citronella has always been known as the most effective ingredient to get rid of mosquitoes. Now even lemongrass and neem oil has been proven effective in chasing them away. You can make an essential oil candle and burn it in areas that attract mosquitoes. You can also make your own candle.
Image Source: gac.sndimg.com
One of the best ways to use it as a repellent is by melting coconut oil and adding lemongrass or citronella or both to the oil. Mix it thoroughly and when it hardens again, you can use it directly on your skin. Don’t put undiluted oil direct on your skin.
Image Source: cdn2.stylecraze.com
Flies are another pest that can spread germs around the house. Flies too can be chased away by spraying citronella mixed with water. But! One of the best oils to chase away flies is lavender where you need to mix 30 drops of lavender with water in a spray bottle and use likewise.
Image Source: novi.ba
Here’s another clever trick to use for flies. Just hang a plastic bag filled with water outside windows from where flies are prone to enter. Flies have fantastic lenses in each eye that helps them detect light patterns and movement. The bag reflects light all over confusing the fly and thus they stay away. Use a ziplock bag if you have one and fill it with just 2/3rd water.
Image Source: cdn.lifehack.org
For Ants all you have to do is mix one teaspoon rubbing alcohol and one teaspoon dishwashing liquid with 1 cup water. Put this in a small spray bottle and give it a good shake. Once it bubbles, spray all areas along the ant tracks. This keeps ants away.
Image Source: files.sympa-sympa.com
This is another dangerous situation if you have bees entering your home. Although they aren’t likely to sting you, but you never know for sure. If by chance you see a hive close to your window or in an attic or basement, then call a beekeeper who can remove it without killing the bees. But, if you have no option, then use a citrus oil spray. Use rinds of grapefruit, lemon, orange, lime and mandarin lime and boil in water for 15 minutes. Allow it to cool and pour into a spray bottle. Spray the bee holes which keep them away.
Image Source: kuffer.hu
Wasps are highly territorial insects so the best way to keep them away is to use decorative fake wasp nests placed in strategic areas around your home. This will prevent any wasps with bright ideas of shacking up in your home.
Image Source: images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com
To rid yourself of wasps who have already made a nest in your house, make a solution of two tablespoons of dishwashing detergent and water and pour this in a spray bottle. Spray the solution directly onto the nest. According to experts, this will kill them instantly.
Image Source: 08.imgmini.eastday.com
Tea Tree oil is the best remedy for spiders. Make a solution with ½ cup vinegar and at least 3-5 drops of tea tree oil and pour it into a spray bottle. Spray in the corners and areas which are most prone to spiders.
Image Source: media.linkonlineworld.com
Bedbugs can be a nuisance and if not checked can increase to an infestation. Make a solution of 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil in water and shake it up well. Spray the solution form a spray bottle on mattresses and corners of beds to drive them away. Along with this remedy, place your mattress in the sun frequently which also drives away bed bugs.
Image Source: novi.ba
Stink bugs or garden bugs can be really smelly but spraying them with garlic spray gets rid of them. The most important thing is to prevent insects entering your home rather than give them reasons to do so and then try to chase them away. There are many more tricks to prevent insects where you could put sticky insect paper on your kitchen walls or even use a high frequency insect repellent which is perfectly safe for a household.