Get Rid of Household Pests Naturally

Recently I was at a friend’s house when I noticed a giant carpenter ant crawling across the wall. The master of the house promptly squished it under his thumb, to my squeamish protests, followed by his description of a crunch and a squirt. Bleck. When love-all-creatures me groused about the kill, he said, “but it was in my house!” to which I replied, “maybe it thought we were in his house!”

Anyway. I cannot tell a lie. I have killed insects before–but generally only under one condition: if it is in the process of sucking the blood from or lending a disease to one of my daughters. I am lightening quick to defend the innocent creatures on this planet, until one of them threatens my children–at which point Mama Bear kicks in and smashing, squishing and general swatting may occur.

But what about pests that like to ramble on in and make themselves at home? Is using a pesticide or rodent trap the best way to get rid of ants, roaches, flies, fleas, mice and rodents in the house? It seems to me that if we do everything we can to persuade them from entering in the first place, we are taking an important first step in alleviating the need for pesticides–both sparing the critters’ lives and taking important precautions for our own health as well. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that poisons that can kill insects can’t be all that great for us either–they are poisons after all. (Read a report of the dangers of household pesticides here.)

Here are a number of tips to prevent pests from entering your home:

Get rid of any standing water, damp areas or water-damaged material–they all attract insects.

Fix leaky plumbing (good for water conservation too!). Don’t leave water in plates under your houseplants, under your refrigerator or anywhere overnight.

Don’t inadvertently feed them! Clean areas where food is stored, prepared or eaten. Don’t leave dirty dishes or pet food out for very long.

Store opened food items in tightly closed glass containers which will deter insects from chewing through boxes or bags.

Put food scraps and trash in a tightly covered garbage or composting can, and take out the trash frequently.

Remove or block their hiding places. Caulk cracks and crevices to block access to your home.

Caulk and seal openings in walls, use weather stripping on doors and windows, and use screens on floor drains, windows and doors.

Don’t store newspapers, paper bags, and boxes for long periods of time–they make cozy homes. Also check for insects in packages or boxes before bringing them into your home.

Vacuum regularly, especially under your appliances.

Keep exterior spaces clean to deter flies: Clean up pet litter, and tightly close all garbage cans.

For fleas, bathe your pets regularly. Wash mats, beds or surfaces that they lay on and vacuum your house weekly or more.

If these steps fail to curtail your pest problem, you may choose to bring out the big guns. Well, the big non-toxic guns that is. Try these green solutions to pesky pests:

Homemade all natural pest strips
Natural flea control
How to rid you home of mice

What’s you take on household pests? Do you “dispatch” by any means possible? Do you have some favorite all natural tips to share? Leave a comment, we’d love to hear.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Mary L.

8:18PM PDT on Sep 9, 2011

Thanks.

send a green star

NO FW NEWS AM R.

11:22PM PDT on Sep 8, 2011

Good tips, thank you!

Sisilie B.

2:00PM PDT on Sep 4, 2011

Good tips

John S.

9:36AM PDT on May 16, 2011

The occasional bug never bothered me, but my wife hates spiders. I tell her they eat the other bugs, but she doesn't care.

Mary B.

9:12PM PDT on Oct 19, 2010

I have had a huge problem with insects over the years and even though the termite control people said it was safe for my pets I do believe when my cat died it was related to the treatments for insects. I used to live in Arizona and the termites are so bad there that the real estate agents say there are two houses one with termites and one that is going to have them.

I am now living in Southern Texas and the coach roaches, fire ants, and mosquitoes are horrible. I dealt with termites, fleas, and other pests that were easier to kill. Our neighborhood is treated by the city and our house is sprayed by us and the mosquitoes would attach you once you stepped out the door. The fire ants were every where and even would get inside our cars while they were parked in the driveway. I still have to try to exterminate the rest of the coach roaches because they hide in every little hole anywhere in the house. I tried pest strips for the mosquitoes; powder, spray, and granulars for the fire ants; and roach motels and several types of sprays for the coach roaches and nothing works. I spent hundreds of dollars on insecticides and treatments for my pets and sprays for my children. My landlord says it isn't there problem even though the other rental house I lived at didn't have these issues and it was less than five miles away. I believe insects are in some areas over other areas because like the article said standing water, places where food is available, and just places to hide. If th

Fu J.

8:49AM PDT on Sep 21, 2010

Thanks for the info, but I was really hoping there would be a safe, natural suggestion for keeping termites away. . . it seems the local exterminators have a monopoly on them, but there must be something (like borax around the foundation or whatever) that will stop the little buggers. Suggestions? Anybody?

Monique D.

9:03AM PDT on Sep 14, 2010

Thanks for the info

Betty C.

9:28AM PDT on Sep 13, 2010

I totally agree with Jan C,s post. If the bugs stay out of my home they can live. If any bad bugs like fleas, etc, come in my house , they die. No questions asked. lol

Virginia B.

10:54AM PDT on Sep 12, 2010

Melissa: Usually I enjoy your articles. However, this one with its errors of grammar and usage made me wince! Why can't people distinguish between "lie" and "lay"? It should be the hallmark of any literate person -- especially one who writes for a living! Check your dictionary for these two -- and their past and past particiiles. 2.: the opposite of PERsuade is DISsuade! Arrgh!

Savannah P.

7:56AM PDT on Sep 7, 2010

Endless thanks!