Seven Tips for Chemical-Free Pest Control

The weather’s heating up, and that means all sorts of creepy crawlies are about in force. Conventional pesticides are full of nasty chemicals linked to health concerns from ADHD in children to Parkinson’s Disease in adults. Why spray harmful toxins when there are lots of natural solutions to keep those critters at bay?

1. Seal those Leaks
Whether you’re experiencing an ant invasion or encounter an unwanted four-legged guest, one of the best ways to put an end to the problem is to seal off their entry point. For smaller issues, a little silicone caulk should do the trick.

If you’re encountering mice or rats, try stuffing steel wool into the hole, then covering it up with wire mesh. For whatever reason, rodents have an aversion to steel wool!

2. Build a Moat
Are ants attacking your pets’ food bowls? Start by sealing off their point of entry and using a damp cloth to get rid of any ants that remain in your house. Then, clean the floor thoroughly with hot, soapy water to eliminate the ants’ trail.

Once you’ve cleaned things up, keep them from finding the food dish again by placing the food bowl into a shallow pan of soapy water.

3. Keep it Clean
Food is one of the main things that lures those critters into your home. Make sure you clear floors and counter tops of food debris after cooking and eating. Wiping down surfaces can go a long way toward keeping your home pest free!

Up next: More natural pest control tips!

Image Credit: Creative Commons photo by Itsy Bitsy Spider

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

Dana W.

7:17PM PST on Feb 9, 2012

I've had an ongoing fruit fly problem for a few weeks and followed some readers' recommendations of cider vinegar in a covered container with holes in the top.

1) After 3 days, no result so I took the top off.
2) After several more days, no fly corpses, so I added some ripe banana as per another suggestion
3) After more than 1 week, not one single fruit fly.

I've decided to stick with the Black Flag fly sticks which can be hung or stand upright on the counter. They're about $2 each but they do work fairly well. It's just not catching them all.

send a green star

Jerry t.

12:25AM PDT on Aug 31, 2011

Good stuff here. TY.
Here's an idea. Catch a few of whatever bugs you and put them in a sealed environment such as a jar with lid. Add these things mentioned one at a time. And you can see for yourself what is effective.

Hilary L.

2:44AM PDT on Aug 19, 2011

There are some excellent tips here for chemical free pest control. I didn't know about the beer to keep the fruit flies away, will definitely give that one a go. I like using essential oils. Lemon or orange oil helps keep the spiders and ants away.

Jane W.

10:05PM PDT on Jul 26, 2011

the more we worry, the more they come in the house

Pamela W.

7:03PM PDT on Apr 15, 2011

another way to minimize fruit flies is to take an old GLASS jelly jar and fill between 1/3 to 1/2 with apple cider vinegar, then add several drops of dish soap

this is best done when the problem is in the early stages ... and be sure to have the jar in a spot where children and pets can't get to it

Regina DeFalco L.

12:03AM PST on Mar 3, 2011

Grant's ant stakes work really well to get rid of ants in your home - just lay one flat on the ants' trail, and let them crawl on it. They'll take the jelly inside back to their nest, and by the next day, the ants are gone!
Also, most environmentally friendly all-purpose spray cleaners will kill ants if you spray it on them.
To get rid of fruit flies, there are fruit fly traps that come in decorative holders - they are available online or at home & garden centers, and they have worked well for us.

John S.

4:27PM PST on Feb 7, 2011

I like it all, but I always finish my beer and so never have any left for my little friends. However cinnamon sticks and lavender oil also chases away ants and bees (if my GSD doesn't eat them first).

Kath R.

3:34PM PST on Dec 25, 2010

Excellent tips...I'm always looking for these types of suggestions.

Catherine T.

5:58PM PST on Dec 18, 2010

yikes... don't torture the poor little critters for the crime of trying to survive. i have a part of my garden specifically meant for slugs and snails. just a little relocation is all that's needed. even with aphids, i just pluck off the tip of the plant and toss it in the snail zone. and ants go away when you take away the food source, then spray a preventative spritz of non-toxic pesticide at the point of entry.

Gerry W.

4:50AM PDT on Sep 29, 2010

In my 8 years as owner of Hearts Pest Management, I never heard the recommendation to place a pet food dish with a surrounding dish of soapy water. That really is a very simple and good suggestion.
Thanks,
Gerry