Using Homemade Pest Control

According to statistics, Americans use approximately 136 million pounds of pesticides on lawns and gardens and in homes. In addition, most wildlife pest poisonings and surface water contamination from pesticides come from single-family homes. Homemade pest control is an ideal solution for homeowners who want an inexpensive, environmentally friendly method of ridding their homes of unwanted pests. Homemade pest control is not only cheaper than traditional pest control products, but it is also safer for your home, family, animals, and the environment. There are many different recipes for homemade pest control, depending on the specific types of pests you want to eliminate. There are two main methods of controlling pests in your home:

• Prevention
• Repellants and bait

Prevention

Prevention pest control involves taking measures to keep pests from targeting your home in the first place. One of the best ways to prevent pests from infesting your home is to keep your home clean and avoid leaving food or dirty dishes lying around the house. In addition, it is a good idea to wipe inside your pantry and cabinets, as well as under and around the stove and refrigerator. You should also cover cracks in your house, especially near doors and windows. This minimizes places for pests to hide and helps your home remain pest-free.

Repellants and Bait

In addition to preventing pests from invading your home, it is also helpful to make insect repellants and bait. One of the easiest types of homemade pest control is a mixture of vinegar and water, which erases the “scent trail” ants follow to food sources in your home. For this mixture to be effective, you should wash your kitchen counters and floor regularly. In addition, powdered charcoal is an excellent ant repellent. The best places to sprinkle powdered charcoal are around the outside of your home and around entryways.

For homeowners who have existing pest issues in their homes, lawns, and gardens, homemade ant bait is an ideal solution. Most ants that invade your home are sugar ants that like sweet foods. Therefore, an excellent type of bait to make for these ants is sugar bait. To make this, combine boric acid (borax) with jam, jelly, or maple syrup and mix these ingredients into a paste. This is an excellent and inexpensive way to eliminate your ant problem, as the boric acid kills the entire colony when the worker ants take the bait back to their nest.

Homemade pest control is becoming more popular as homeowners look for ways to not only save money, but also protect the environment. While homemade pest control can be effective if you apply it regularly and ensure all ingredients remain fresh, there is no substitute for professional pest control. If you have a pest invasion, the best course of action is always to contact a professional pest control company.