Do you want a pest-free home but don’t like using nasty, stinky pesticides? Chemical pesticides are highly toxic by default and can harm not only insects but you and your family as well. Recent research shows that these chemicals can be linked to many serious health issues. This article will teach you how to get rid of unwanted insects found around the house using natural ways that are just as effective as using chemicals but not as harmful to you and your family.
We can’t wait to show you these very useful tricks to get rid of household pests.
1. Cockroaches
Roaches come out for food and water, so you have a good chance of never seeing them if there’s nothing for them to eat. If that’s not solving the problem, make a trap. Get an empty plastic bottle from a soft drink, cut the top part off, and assemble it as is shown in the picture above so it looks like a funnel. Seal it with tape around the rim. Pour in some water and place the trap where the roaches are likely to appear. They can get in but cannot get out. While this captures individual roaches, this method doesn’t affect the nest.
2. Fruit flies
It doesn’t take much to get these annoying fruit flies to appear around the house which is why we want to show you how to make a trap to get rid of them. Pour half a cup of apple cider vinegar into a glass jar, cut a few pieces up of any ripe or rotting fruit, roll a piece of paper to make a funnel, and put it onto the jar creating a fruit fly trap. Place the trap in the infested area and leave it overnight. Be sure to get rid of the trap with those bugs inside it.
3. Mosquitoes
Citronella and lemongrass essential oils are well-known repellent for mosquitos. Use an essential oil candle or in a diffuser to keep those nasty things away. You can even make your own candle. Another way of using it — melt some coconut oil, add a few drops of essential oil and mix well, wait until it hardens and then on the skin. Just remember never put undiluted essential oil on skin.
4. Flies
The main thing you need to remember is that flies hate lavender! Get a sponge or a small cloth and saturate it with undiluted lavender essential oil, place the sponge into a small jar and leave it unsealed somewhere in the house. The flies won’t like you for that but that’s exactly what you want! You also can make a spray with lavender oil by adding approximately 30 drops of lavender essential oil into a small spray bottle with water. Remember — avoid any skin contact with undiluted essential oil.
There are some other options if you want to try something else to get rid of those annoying insects.
5. Ants
Mix a teaspoon of rubbing alcohol, a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid and a cup of water, and pour it into a small spray bottle. Shake until it starts bubbling, and spray the area where you have found ant tracks. Thanks to the alcohol, the ants will stay away.
6. Carpenter bees
Carpenter bees are pollinators and essential for any wild flora. If you’ve got a bee nest in your household, it might be a good idea to contact a local beekeeper who will be very happy to remove them from your place instead of killing them. If it is not an option, spray the infested area with citrus oil spray. Place rinds of different citrus fruits (grapefruit, lemon, mandarin, lime, and orange) in water and boil for 10-15 min. Pour it into a spray bottle and spray the carpenter bees’ holes. Like many other insects, the carpenter bees really don’t like citrus oil.
7. Wasps
Prevention is always the easiest way to get rid of bugs. Wasps are very territorial, so fake decorative wasp nests placed around your house will most likely solve the problem before it even begins. To get rid of wasps if they have already built a nest somewhere around your house, mix two tablespoons of dishwashing liquid with water and put it in a spray bottle. Spray it directly into the nest. Experts say that this kills them instantly.
8. Spiders
Apparently, spiders hate the smell of tea tree oil. Mix ½ a cup of water, ½ a cup of vinegar and a few drops of tea tree essential oil, and spray it in any corners and wardrobes in your home.
9. Bedbugs
Add 10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil into a cup of water, shake well, and pour into a spray bottle. Spray your mattress and bedding to scare bedbugs away.
If you are a frequent traveler, it might be a good idea to carry eucalyptus oil in your bag. Place a few drops of oil on a tissue and wipe down the mattress in your hotel room just in case.
10. Stink bugs
The easiest and safest way to get rid of these little smelly things is with garlic spray. Mix 2 cups of water with 4 teaspoons of garlic powder, shake well and spray any plants and areas around your windows to keep them away.
