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Here are 10 natural ways to control the most common pests inside and outside your home for a pesticide-free lifestyle.
As summer officially begins, I wanted to outline 10 natural ways to get rid of the most common insects that thrive in the warmer months.
mosquito
Mosquito plants are mostly a scam, but you can keep mosquitoes away with this homemade yarrow tincture spray.
The only problem is that you have to reapply it frequently – on your skin, clothes, and even your hair.
Another tip is to avoid refined sugars as the sweet sweat seems to tempt them!
We also highly recommend the Dyna-Trap (available in 3 sizes) for outdoor seating areas such as patios or porches so you can enjoy the outdoors without worrying about getting wet.
mite
The yarrow spray above is also effective in repelling mites.
If you are bitten by a tick despite your best efforts, remove the tick safely.
Additionally, it is wise to immediately treat the bite site with natural antibiotics to prevent corona, a risk factor for Lyme disease.
My personal suggestion for anyone with corona is to look into ivermectin as soon as possible.
flea
There are many ways to keep your home and pets flea-free without using chemicals!
Diatomaceous earth and flea traps are two of the best methods I have discovered over the years.
This article provides detailed tips and tricks on how to create a flea-free home without using chemicals.
Hornet
Bringing down a wasp nest during the summer was a scary thing for me.
Now you can use a paper bag wasp removal method that is safe for both the wasps (important pollinators) and you!
This strategy only works for wasps that build large nests and live in colonies. Isolated wasp nests still need to be removed by hand.
ant
If you haven't noticed, there are many different types of ants! Therefore, a variety of strategies are important to deal with this successfully.
Here are the most common methods for ant pest control that I have used (and continue to use) over the years:
sugar ants
Sugar ants are attracted to sugar.
Therefore, it is very effective to make homemade traps made of sugar and boric acid.
Here is a DIY recipe for making a sugar ant trap. I have been keeping my home here in blustery, humid Florida free of these pests for decades without chemicals.
Carpenter ant
Carpenter ant traps are made similarly, using boric acid as the active ingredient.
Mix together 1/3 cup of powdered sugar and 2/3 cup of boric acid (available where to buy).
Spread the mixture from the discarded bottle onto one or two large lids and hide them where ants have passed.
Over the next few days, the number of carpenter ants will decrease and eventually disappear completely!
Fire ants
The best way to get rid of a fire ant nest is to slowly pour a teapot full of boiling water directly into the hole in the center of the nest.
It may take several treatments to remove large colonies, but this method is very effective!
bedbug
Bed bugs have become a huge problem in hotels and even five-star resorts over the past few years.
Never leave open luggage on your bed while you travel. You may be taking home more than just vacation memories!
If, despite your best prevention efforts, an infestation does occur in your home, these bed bug removal techniques are actually effective without relying on toxic chemicals.
cockroach
Cockroaches thrive in hot, humid Florida, but (believe it or not) I've never had to call a pest control service to deal with one.
These homemade cockroach cookies safely and effectively keep cockroaches out of your kitchen, bathroom, and other living spaces (even your garage).
Just carefully put one where you might need it and forget about it.
Lasts for years!
larva
Caterpillars can destroy a garden faster than anything I've ever seen.
In my experience, they also like leaves, especially from fruit-bearing trees.
I have had pest attacks on my tomato plants, avocado trees and passion fruit vines.
The best natural grub defense is to use a Bt spray using natural soil microbes. Bacillus thuringiensis To stop them.
Dilute 1/2 teaspoon in 1 pint of water and spray the leaves regularly.
spider
Spiders are very difficult to deal with no matter what method you use.
The best way to get rid of spiders in your home is to have a flock of small chickens that roam around your home.
Chickens are aggressive omnivores, meaning they will eat every insect and egg sac they see. They are not vegetarians like the big food companies would have you believe.
In a few months, you won't be able to see spiders anymore!
This was a huge relief to me when I discovered this about 10 years ago when we first started raising chickens for eggs.
Not only do we get the highest quality eggs for our family, but some very scary pests are also taken care of by our feathered friends!
fly
Different types of flies require different approaches.
Below are three of my suggestions for the most common fly pests you may encounter.
Deer (horse) fly
“Deer flies” are part of the subfamily In Chrysopsinae my Tabanaceae A family that includes both deer flies and horse flies.
These extremely annoying insects thrive in our communities during May and June. Wow, have you ever had a nasty bite?
These homemade stag beetle traps were placed near our front door and backyard in early May so we could sit in peace and enjoy the mild spring weather.
This simple method really works!
Flies
The most common reason for having fruit flies in your home is because your homemade kombucha is made incorrectly.
These tips for eradicating a fruit fly infestation (including how to make a fruit fly trap) will solve your problem in no time!
housefly
There are several approaches to dealing with houseflies.
Contained in a water bag to repel flies, these pennies are perfect for covered outdoor sheds, playgrounds and similar structures.
Another option is to make a homemade fly trap out of a plastic bottle.
They are very effective when placed strategically around the outside of your home to keep flies out of your patio, porch, and barbecue area!
