http://www.care2.com/greenliving/get-rid-of-pests-naturally.html
Get Rid of 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.
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50 comments
add your comment »Hmm, I never would have thought of that newspapers!
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Thanks for the tips, Melissa. I hate household pests and am most likely to kill them. The exceptions being ladybugs and dragonflies.
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Good Tips. Just in time for the rainy season.
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These are good ideas but expensive still!
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OK
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good tips
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thanks for the tips
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These are remarkable tips and thanks for all those but if you still continue to have problems with garden pests, it might be because of your soil. This problem can be solved by making some organic soil. Try leaving some fruit waste to rot for about 3 weeks until it's ready for use. Dig up some soil and treat your soil to some lukewarm water. Add the organic soil! You will notice that this method actually helps get rid of those stubborn pests without having to use harmful pesticides.
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All good comments for eliminating "pesty" problems in the home, especially for diatomaceous earth. Check out www.kleengreen.com for this very versatile natural enzyme that is used for bed bugs, fleas, mites and other 'uninvited visitors'.
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Even rats have their good sides.
A rat entered my house through a hole near an air conditioner vent. I was surprised to discover that she consumed large numbers of garden snails. She would slip outside at night and bring them back in to eat.
I was able to catch her, when she backed herself into a corner, and released her away from homes.
A friend of mine tells how she caught a rat on a sticky trap and carefully and painstakingly freed it from the goo. Upon releasing it a hawk flew down and snatched it! Talk about having a bad day!
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