Every household faces a bug or pest problem at some point. Whether it’s ants continuously crawling from your garden to your porch and into your home or it’s a bed bug infestation, pest problems need to be effectively controlled before they spread any problems. Grabbing a pest spray or opting for fumigation might seem like your only two go-to options when you see any insect lurking around in your home, but they aren’t the wisest choice.
You don’t need to go searching around for the harshest chemical you can find when you see notice a pest infestation problem in your home. Even though insecticides and pesticides are potent enough to extinguish pest problems, their fumes aren’t particularly good for the health of all those living in your home, especially old people and children.
So, when it comes to getting rid of harmful pests from your home, natural ingredients and remedies are a safe and effective choice.
Here are some of the best natural ways to get rid of bugs.
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1. Essential Oils
Essential oils are one of the best natural substances that can help you get rid of pests without causing any fumes or problems for those living in your home. Not only do essential oils such as lavender, spearmint, peppermint, and eucalyptus smell great and refresh the air, but they are also effectively used to control bed bugs and dust mites. All essential oils are found in highly concentrated forms. Simply mix a few drops of any of your favorite essential oils, including spearmint, peppermint, lavender, or eucalyptus, with water and spray it in all problematic pest-ridden areas in your home. These areas may include carpets, rugs, beds, cupboards, mattresses, etc.
2. Salt
Salt, a staple in every home, is another extremely useful ingredient to get rid of ant and flea infestations. Salt is also very easy to use; all you need to do is sprinkle some around your doors and windows to keep ants from entering your home. Fleas tend to hang around in carpets. So the best way to get rid of fleas from carpets and rugs is to sprinkle salt directly on them. Another great way to clear out any fleas is to sprinkle your pets and their beddings with some salt mixed with finely ground rosemary leaves.
3. Vinegar
Vinegar is rather popularly known as nature’s best cleanser. Not only is it used to sparkle up materials such as steel, but it is also great to keep bugs such as ants and fruit flies far away. Vinegar is a well-known pest deterrent due to its strong and potent smell. This rancid smell keeps insects and bugs from forming groups and forces them to navigate other trails based on other scents. Vinegar can also be effectively used as bait to attract fruit flies, trap them, and get rid of them.
4. Lemon (or Lime) Juice
Not only are lemon and lime juice great cleaners, but they also help keep ants, spiders, and snails at bay. Since spiders hate citrus, they won’t come anywhere near your windows, doors, and other entryways if you spray them with some lime or lemon juice. Also, both these juices usually come in concentrated forms, so you can mix them up with water to dilute them and then spray them around your home.
5. Mint
Mint is another readily available ingredient in most homes that can be used to repel many types of pests. The best part about using mint is that it can help you achieve the goal of eradicating any traces of pests without creating a mess in your home. Mint helps keep ants, mosquitoes, and flies at bay. You can simply sprinkle a few mint leaves around the doors, windows, and any other places in your home where you feel like insects can enter. A better idea is to throw a few mint leaves around all the entrances to your home; not only will this keep any pests away, but it will also give away a refreshing scent.
6. Baking Soda
Baking soda is a great tried and tested substance that can be used to get rid of roaches. While baking soda works great on its own, it is far more effective when mixed with powdered sugar. You can mix both these ingredients and leave them wherever you spot pests. Even though this natural technique can be a little messy, it is a highly effective way to kill off any bugs.
7. Cucumber Peels
Cucumber peels, especially peels of bitter cucumbers, are a highly effective weapon against ants. If you’re annoyed by ants entering your home through your backyard and porch, then you should consider leaving cucumber peels all around your door and windows.
8. Detergent
Although detergent isn’t the most natural substance to use, it isn’t as harsh as other strong chemicals that are used in pesticides and insecticides. Detergent is very helpful for trapping and killing off fruit flies. You can leave some apple cider vinegar or wine on the table to attract fruit flies. Make sure to add some detergent to your bait. This trap will kill the fruit flies immediately.
The Bottom Line
There are many natural ways to get rid of bugs. Many substances lying around in your kitchen or home such as cinnamon, chalk, cayenne pepper, and even petroleum jelly work effectively to keep any creepy crawlies from entering your home. Cloves can also be very helpful in keeping winged insects at bay. Try out any of the above-mentioned ways to deter many insects, including ants, spiders, flies, and mosquitoes from your home or garden!
