20 Natural Pest Control Methods To Use At Home

Try These Easy Homemade Natural Pest Control Techniques

Do you feel like trying some DIY pest control yourself?

We can go one better. How about some natural techniques that really work?

So you can save save money and the planet! Sounds like a win, win right?

A pest infestation can be a major nuisance. They can cause damage to your home and garden and spreading diseases.

Chemical pesticides can be harmful to the environment and your health.

So it’s important to consider natural alternatives. In this article, we’ll share 20 simple and effective ways to get rid of pests using natural methods.

1. Pest-Repelling Plants for Moths & Mosquitioes

Using certain herbs and flowers to naturally control pests can be a great solution for those who are looking to avoid using harsh chemical treatments. Planting citronella around outdoor spaces is an effective way to ward off mosquitoes, while basil and marigolds can help keep other insects away. Not only are these herbs and flowers beautiful additions to any garden, they also make an environmentally-friendly choice when it comes to protecting your home from unwanted critters.

2. Use Diatomaceous Earth for Any Pest with Exoskeleton

This can be a great way to naturally get rid of bugs around your home or garden. This fine, powdered substance is made from the fossilized remains of diatoms and is deadly to insects, but safe for humans and pets. Simply sprinkle it around areas where there is bug activity, or use it as a preventative measure in food-contact areas. With this natural solution, you can rest assured that your family and animals are kept safe from any harmful chemicals. This treats ants, bed bugs, beetles (including several species), centipedes, cockroaches, crickets, earwigs, fleas, fungus gnat larvae, grubs (certain types), lice, mites, millipedes, pill bugs, silverfish and sow bugs.

3. Implement Proper Sanitation Practices for ALL PESTS

All insects and bugs are attracted to food. So keeping your home and garden clean is important. Make sure it’s free of crumbs and other debris can help deter them. This includes properly storing food, washing dishes promptly, and regularly sweeping and vacuuming. It’s also a good idea to empty your trash cans regularly and keep them as far away from your living spaces as possible.

4. Try a Homemade Spray for Cockroaches and Ants

There are many natural ingredients that can be used to make your own spray. For example, you can mix equal parts water and white vinegar and add a few drops of essential oils like peppermint or citrus. This spray can be used on ants, mosquitoes, and flies. Just be sure to test it on a small area first to make sure it won’t damage any surfaces.

5. Attract Predatory Insects

Some insects are natural predators. Attracting them to your garden can help keep pest populations in check. For example, ladybugs and lacewings are great at controlling aphids. While praying mantises and dragonflies can help keep mosquitoes and flies at bay. You can attract these beneficial insects by planting flowers that they like, such as dill, fennel, and yarrow.

6. Use Traps for Flying Insects

There are many different types of traps that you can use to catch and remove pests. For example, you can use sticky traps to catch flies and other flying insects. Also, you can use bait to lure mice into traps. Just be sure to dispose of any trapped pests humanely and check your traps regularly to avoid any unnecessary suffering.

7. Use Essential Oils for Fleas, Spiders and Flies

Essential oils can be used in a number of different ways to naturally control insects. Try mixing a few drops of peppermint oil and plain water to repel ants and mosquitoes. You can also use essential oils to make sprays. Or add them to your cleaning products for an extra boost of pest-repelling power.

Some of the most effective essential oils include lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, citronella, Lemongrass and tea tree.

8. Try Garlic or Hot Pepper Spray for Rabbits

Garlic and hot peppers contain compounds that are irritating to bugs, so making a spray out of these ingredients can be an effective organic methods. To make a garlic spray, blend a few cloves of garlic with water and strain out the solids

9. Use a Homemade Fruit Fly Trap

Fruit flies can be a major nuisance, especially in the summer when fruit is in season. Find a spare jar, some apple cider vinegar, and a piece of fruit. Simply fill the jar with the vinegar and add a piece of overripe fruit. Then cover the jar with plastic wrap and poke a few holes in it. The fruit flies will be attracted to the vinegar and fruit, but they won’t be able to escape through the holes in the plastic wrap.

10. Control Moisture Levels for ALL BUGS AND INSECT SPECIES

Many bugs and insects are attracted to moisture, so keeping your home and garden dry can help deter them. This includes fixing any leaks, using a dehumidifier if necessary, and emptying any standing water in and around your home.

11. Homemade Ant Traps

Ants can be a major nuisance, especially if they are in your kitchen. Make your own ant trap using a mixture of water, sugar, and borax. Simply mix equal parts of the ingredients in a jar and place it where the ants are coming from. The ants will be attracted to the sugar, but the borax will kill them.

12. Wasp Trap

Wasps can be dangerous, especially if you’re allergic to their stings. You can make your own wasp trap using a soda bottle and some sweet, sugary liquid. Cut the top off the bottle and invert it, then tape it to the bottom of the bottle to create a funnel. Fill the bottom of the bottle with the sweet liquid, and the wasps will be attracted to it and get stuck in the funnel.

13. Make Your Own Mouse Trap

Mice can be a major problem in homes, spreading diseases and causing damage. You can make your own mouse trap using a cardboard tube, some peanut butter, and a piece of string. Place a dab of peanut butter at one end of the tube and tie a piece of string to the other end. When the mouse goes in to get the peanut butter, it will pull the string and the tube will snap closed, trapping the mouse inside.

14. Implement Physical Barriers for Ants and Roaches

Physical barriers can be an effective way to keep insects out of your home and garden. For example, you can use door sweeps to keep out ants and mice, or you can use mesh screens to keep out craweling insects. Sealing up any cracks or openings in your home can also help keep intruders out.

15. Catch Slugs

Slugs can be a major problem in gardens, devouring plants and leaving slimy trails behind. Try making your own slug trap using a shallow dish or tray and some beer. Simply fill the dish with beer and place it in your garden, and the slugs will be attracted to it and fall in. The alcohol in the beer will kill them.

16. Use Light to Catch Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes can be a major problem, especially in the summer when they’re most active. Get a fan, a black light, and some water. The fan will blow the mosquitoes into the cup, where they’ll drown. The black light will attract them to the trap.

17. Entice Hornets With Sugar

Hornets can bite which can be painful. The bite can be dangerous, especially if you’re allergic to their stings. Use a plastic bottle and some sweet, sugary liquid. Cut the top off the bottle and invert it, then tape it to the bottom of the bottle to create a funnel. Fill the bottom of the bottle with the sweet liquid, and the hornets will be attracted to it and get stuck in the funnel.

18. Soapy Water for Fleas

Fleas can be a major problem, especially if you have pets. Making your own flea trap isn’t hard. Use a shallow dish or tray and some soapy water. Simply fill the dish with the mixture and place it on the floor near where your pets spend most of their time. The fleas will be attracted to the dish and get stuck in the soap mixture, drowning them.

19. Double Sided Tape

Bed bugs can be a major problem, infesting your bed and other furniture and causing itchy, red bites. To get rid of them naturally, you can make your own bed bug trap using double-sided tape and a piece of cardboard. Simply place the tape on the cardboard and place it under your bed or other furniture where the bed bugs are likely to be. The bed bugs will get stuck to the tape and be unable to escape.

20. Use a Homemade Fly Trap

No this isn’t the Venus Fly Trap! Flies can be a major nuisance, especially in the summer when they’re most active. Grab a jar, some sugar, and a piece of fruit. Simply mix the sugar and fruit in the jar and cover it with plastic wrap, then poke a few holes in the wrap. The flies will be attracted to the sugar and fruit, but they won’t be able to escape through the holes in the plastic wrap.

FAQ

What is the most natural pesticide?

The most natural pesticide is an organic insecticide made from naturally-occurring plant oils including neem oil, citrus oil, and pyrethrins. These plant oils are extracted from specific plants to create a solution that is effective at controlling pests such as insects, mites, and certain diseases without harming the environment or humans.

Is vinegar a pest repellent?

Yes. Vinegar can be used as a natural repellent. Vinegar is known to deter certain insects such as ants, cockroaches, and fleas from entering the home. It’s important to note that while this method can help in the short term, it may not be effective for long-term pest control.

What scent keeps pests away?

Many different scents can be used, including essential oils. Popular scents that have been reported to repel pests include lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, citronella, Lemongrass, and tea tree. Additionally, storing food in tightly sealed containers or redirecting certain plants away from your home can help to reduce the chances of pest infestations.

Conclusion

Keeping your home clean and tidy is the first step in restoring control. Make sure to regularly sweep and mop floors, vacuum carpets, and dust furniture. If you’re storing food, be sure to store it in airtight containers. Keep any pet food out of reach, rodents and cockroaches can be attracted to it. Additionally, seal up any cracks or holes in your walls or windows that may provide access to your home. Inspect the sealant around doors and windows on a regular basis and replace it when necessary.