Easy Ways to Get Rid of Common Household Pests

Creepy crawlies in your home can be your worst nightmare. Not only do spiders, ants and cockroaches damage your property, but they can carry infections and will harm your family’s health. But most pest control measures contain harsh chemicals, which have unpleasant consequences especially over the long term. How, then, can you keep your home pest-free without loading it with toxic chemicals?

We’ve rounded up some highly effective natural pest-control measures that are guaranteed to help! Read on for some sure-fire ways to nix your pest problems.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches love damp, dark places where they can find food to keep them going. They enter the house through cracks and crevices, and if they find that they can get plenty to eat they will never leave! Hate these creepy insects? Hold that scream—here’s how you can get rid of them!

• A mix of equal parts of boric acid powder and sugar is irresistible to cockroaches. Make balls of this mixture with just a drop of water, and place them near corners and cracks in your kitchen.
• Roaches do not like the smell of bay leaves. Place a dried bay leaf inside your food storage jars and on each pantry shelf, and replace it once the smell wears off.
• Wipe down kitchen counters with an organic cleaner and water just before you close the kitchen in the evening. Roaches usually come out at night when it’s dark, and they don’t like clean surfaces.
• Put some naphthalene balls below the sink and in dry storage areas. Roaches hate the small and will do anything to avoid it.

Ants

Ants love sticky spills, and if you don’t wipe the kitchen after cooking, you’re bound to find a line of these critters trailing across your floor! If you’re struggling with an ant infestation, here are some ways to keep things under control.

• First up, follow the trail and locate the entry point of the ants into your kitchen. Sprinkle turmeric powder all around this point. You’ll find the ants scattering in different directions at once, as they hate turmeric.
• Clean up the food spill, and ensure that the countertop and floors are clean. If they have no source of food, they will go looking elsewhere!
• Spray a 1:1 solution of white vinegar and water and wipe down all the kitchen surfaces.
• A solution of lemon juice and water is also an effective spray.
• A bunch of fresh mint leaves can be placed around the room, especially near nooks and crevices. Not only will this keep your kitchen smelling minty fresh, but it will deter the entry of pests.

Note: Vinegar or lime juice sprays should not be used on marble surfaces as they are acidic and will cause pitting and discolouration, which will permanently damage the countertop.

Spiders

If you’ve glimpsed a glistening, intricately woven web in a corner of the ceiling, you know that you have an unwelcome family of spiders in your home! Spiders multiple very quickly, and some spider bites could be poisonous. Here’s how to keep them at bay.

• Clear away cobwebs the moment you see them. Spray the corners of ceilings with lime juice and water.
• Use a ball of cotton dipped in peppermint essential oil and rub it in the corners where you have seen webs. Spiders hate the strong smell of peppermint.
• These crawlies usually enter through open windows or cracks below the door. Spray or rub down peppermint or citrus essential oils around these entry points to prevent their entry.
• A diluted spray of white vinegar can also be used to keep spiders away.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes breed wherever there is stagnant water, and you’ll find hordes of these pesky flying critters around during the monsoon time. Mosquitoes are vectors that carry diseases like dengue, malaria and Chikungunya, and some of these illnesses can be extremely severe. They usually enter the house around sunset, and just the simple act of closing all windows in the evening can go a long way toward keeping your home mosquito-free!

Other ways to deal with mosquitoes are:

• Cover all water sources, such as tanks, water cans, flower pots with stagnant water and buckets. Mosquitoes lay eggs on stagnant water and this will curb their breeding.
• Burn citronella or neem essential oils in a diffuser. These oils are great organic mosquito repellents and can even be applied on your arms and legs to avoid getting bitten.
• Mosquito repellent candles that contain clove oil, peppermint oil, lemongrass or citronella can be burnt to control mosquitoes.
• Electric plug-ins are available that will give out a fragrance that repels mosquitoes. Use them with caution, however, as these could contain additives that will harm humans too!

Ways to Prevent a Pest Infestation

Prevention is always better than cure, as the adage goes, and by following these simple tips you can ensure that you are able to keep your home free of those annoying pests.

• Keep dust bins sealed tight and clean, especially bins containing food scraps. Remove garbage on a daily basis and wash and disinfect the bins.
• Cockroaches breed wherever they find food and water. Keep your kitchen sparkling clean, and remove all crumbs and spills before you turn in for the night.
• Store food in sealed, air tight containers. Never leave any food open or unattended.
• Mosquitoes and cockroaches are drawn to water. So if there is a drip below the sink or a leaky faucet, get it fixed at once! Don’t let water collect in trays below your plants, and never leave food for pets out at night.
• Close and seal any holes through which rodents or insects can enter. Cover the gaps around pipes with steel wool or wire mesh. If the mosquito mesh on the windows is torn, get it repaired.
• Declutter your home and get rid of old newspapers, magazines and the like. Piles of clutter will end up as breeding grounds for pests.

Try these pest control tips at home, and let us know what worked for you! For more tips and cleaning hacks, subscribe to the HomeLane blog.