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Everyone wants an insect free home, but unfortunately, some of those pesky pests can be quite tough to get rid of. While most common solutions involve using highly-toxic chemical pesticides, not all people are comfortable with using them inside, and we don’t blame them! Studies show that these chemicals can cause a whole host of serious health issues. Who would want to expose their family to potential negative side effects like that?
That is why we’ve compiled this list of alternative, natural ways to solve different types of insect infestation problems that provide just as much punch, but with way less risk. Follow the instructions in this slideshow, and you’ll never have to worry about those unwanted visitors in your house ever again!
The best way to get rid of stink bugs is with a
garlic spray. Combine 2 cups of water with 4 teaspoons of garlic powder, and shake it up. Then you can spray the mixture around windows and plants and the little stink bugs will stay far away.
Cockroaches are the worst, but there is a
simple trap you can build with a plastic bottle to help catch them. Cut the top off of the bottle, invert it upside-down, and place it back in the base of the bottle. Fill it up with a little water and then place it near the infestation. The cockroaches will fall in and they won’t be able to get out. Although this won’t totally solve the problem, it will catch a bunch of them.
The secret to keeping bedbugs away is
eucalyptus essential oil. Add 10 drops into a spray bottle mixed with a cup of water. Then spray it liberally onto your bedding and mattresses. It will make them think twice before settling in.
Make a
trap for them by pouring a small amount of apple cider vinegar into a glass jar and adding a few pieces of any ripe fruit you have. Then put a paper funnel on top leading into it and you are all set. Make sure to empty out the jar occasionally once it starts working.
Spiders detest the scent of
tea tree oil. Mix together 1/2 cup of water with 1/2 cup of vinegar, then add in a couple drops of the tea tree essential oil. Spray it around in any crevices and areas of your home that you think are prone to spiders.
Most people are already aware of citronella candles and their ability to keep mosquitos away, but did you know you can also make your own
repellent to apply to your skin? Simply take a few drops of either citronella or lemongrass essential oil and mix it up with some melted coconut oil. After it re-hardens, you can then spread it on wherever you don’t want to get bit.
Since wasps are very territorial insects, adding fake decorative wasp nests around your home will prevent any infestations before they ever occur. However, if they’ve already established a colony, spraying them with a dishwashing liquid and water mixture should do the trick. According to
experts, soap is a wasp’s worst enemy.
It turns out, flies really
hate lavender! Saturate a sponge with lavender essential oil, place it in an unsealed jar, and leave it out somewhere in your house. The smell of lavender will permeate the air and keep the flies from entering the room.
While carpenter bees are pollinators and very important to wild flora, no one wants them around their home. If you spray into the carpenter bee holes with a
citrus spray, they should quickly evacuate. The mixture can be made by adding the rinds of various citrus fruits like grapefruits, lemons or oranges to some water and boiling it for around 10 to 15 minutes.
Ants are an extremely common visitor in almost every household and they seem to always find a way in. Fortunately, eliminating them is as easy as tracing their tracks and spraying the area they are entering with a
rubbing alcohol spray. Mix a teaspoon of rubbing alcohol and a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid with a cup of water, then spray away.
Gnats are normally attracted to fungus and moisture from foods like soft potatoes or overripe bananas so you need to make sure to get rid of those things first. However, if they still keep coming, you can catch them by putting a
bowl of vinegar mixed with dish soap out on the table. The vinegar attracts them into the bowl and the soap prevents them from getting out.
If you have a dog or cat in the house, there is always the potential they will bring fleas in with them and then you have a problem. The most important thing is to go through and
vacuum the whole area including furniture and upholstery. The suction will remove most of the adult fleas and their eggs, but afterward, spreading a thin layer of boric acid or diatomaceous earth on the carpet is a natural way to take care of the rest.
Dust mites are so tiny you can’t see them, but they are literally everywhere and thrive indoors. Luckily, there is one thing they really dislike —
cinnamon bark oil. Just mix up a 50/50 solution of water and denatured alcohol, add in several drops of cinnamon essential oil and spray it onto carpets, bedding, and any place that typically collects dust. The dust mites will avoid it like the plague.
Termites can be a huge issue for homeowners, but thankfully there are many options for getting rid of them naturally. One effective strategy is to use
salt. Mix together equal amounts of salt and hot water, then stir it together until it dissolves. Next, apply the solution on the affected wooden areas or use a syringe to inject it straight into the holes in the wood. Repeat this process once a day for at least a week and continue until the termite problem has cleared up.
Earwigs love gardens, but sometimes they also find ways to get into the home as well. The best way to prevent this from happening is to cut them off at the source. Sprinkle a thin lining of
diatomaceous earth along the foundation of your house and other spots you think they might be hanging out to keep them from ever entering.
Centipedes love humid conditions, so the first thing you should do is
get a dehumidifier to try and change the environment inside your home. Like many other insects, centipedes can also be prevented by spreading diatomaceous earth in the spots they are frequenting. Places like closets, bathrooms, and cellars are good areas to start.
Beetles in the home are more common than you think, but getting rid of them isn’t hard to do. If they are on your carpet, sprinkle boric acid around and let it sit for a few hours before you vacuum it up. It is important to then shampoo or steam clean the carpets afterward. Also, if you have any clothes or fabrics that have been invaded, you’ll need to throw them in the washer and wash them with hot water and soap.
Cedar is a natural moth repellent, so putting some in your closet should keep them from entering. You can also use bundles of bay leaves, lavender, cloves, thyme or rosemary. If the moth infestation has already taken place, it is recommended to wash all your clothes and then spray down your closets and kitchen with a vinegar solution.
A good way to eliminate crickets in the house is to
drown them in molasses. Put a small amount of molasses in a container or jar, mix in some water, and place it near the infested areas. The sweet scent will entice them to jump in, but once they dive into the liquid they won’t be able to get out.
Prevention is one of the best cures and clearing up clutter, decreasing humidity in the house, and sealing up food can work wonders. Another strategy is to build a little trap for them. Mix together equal parts of water,
baking soda and honey, then put the mixture onto pieces of cardboard. Set these small pieces in various places around your home.
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Everyone wants an insect free home, but unfortunately, some of those pesky pests can be quite tough to get rid of. While most common solutions involve using highly-toxic chemical pesticides, not all people are comfortable with using them inside, and we don’t blame them! Studies show that these chemicals can cause a whole host of serious health issues. Who would want to expose their family to potential negative side effects like that?
That is why we’ve compiled this list of alternative, natural ways to solve different types of insect infestation problems that provide just as much punch, but with way less risk. Follow the instructions in this slideshow, and you’ll never have to worry about those unwanted visitors in your house ever again!