Pests are not picky when it comes to infesting homes. Whether a modest home or a luxury dwelling, pests move in to set up residence, have easy access to food and water, and protect themselves from cold temperatures. Homeowners can keep some pests at bay and under control while maintaining a budget with various do-it-yourself projects and natural methods. I like to say I don’t mind bugs, unless they are in my house! So here are some tips on how you can control pests in and around your home with natural methods.
Maintaining a Budget-Friendly Pest Control Using Natural Methods
Image via Flickr by Tibor Nagy
Inside
To discourage ants from entering your home, using natural products is an option. To deter ants, combine one part vinegar with three parts of water. Fill a spray bottle with the mixture, then apply the spray wherever ants have been seen. The vinegar spray eliminates the scented trail (pheromones) ants leave behind for other ants to follow. Easy and cost effective!
Some pests, such as spiders, find the natural scent of onions to be unpleasant. If you have spiders in your home, simply slice several onions and place the pieces in several bowls filled with water. Put the bowls in areas where you see or have seen spider activity to deter them from entering.
Are fruit flies a problem for you? With all of the tomatoes and apples we have, fruit flies have been awful for us! Once fruit flies invade the kitchen, they become a fast-moving pest flitting around the fresh fruit. To remove them naturally, place a small bowl filled about a quarter of the way to the top with apple cider vinegar. Place a layer of plastic wrap over the top of the bowl and punch with several holes. Leave the bowl on the counter to attract the flies. Once they enter through the holes, they won’t be able to get out.
For gardeners, aphids pose a problem to plants. The tiny insects thrive on feeding off the plant’s nutrient-rich liquids. A simple method that helps keep aphids away while providing the plants with nutrients is to use a banana peel. Loosen the soil near the plant’s stems, place the peel, then cover with soil. Isn’t that so easy?!
Photo by Heather Smith from Pexels
Outside
Doing a visual check of the exterior of your home may reveal gaps and holes where pests can gain entry. One easy approach to plugging holes around the foundation is to stuff the hole with copper mesh then fill around the hole with foam sealant. The copper mesh creates a durable barrier that pests can’t bypass. Use caulk to seal cracks and crevices and ensure the weatherstripping around the door is intact.
If your home has a chimney, invest in a chimney guard. The wire mesh screen and cap prevent pests such as birds, squirrels, and rodents from entering your home. This happened to my parents once. Trust me, you don’t want this problem!
Keep the shrubbery and tree limbs around your home trimmed and away from the home’s exterior. Plant stems and tree limbs provide a natural bridge for crawling insects and other pests to access areas of your home.
Photo by David Hablützel from Pexels
Benefits of Professional Pest Control
While there are plenty of pests a homeowner can manage and eliminate on their own, there are pests best treated by a professional pest control Tulsa company. Damaging pests, such as carpenter ants, termites, wasp and bee nests, and established ant colonies, require more than over-the-counter products. I draw the line at stinging insects! We had a hornet nest in one of our trees and I had no regrets calling in the professionals to handle it!
With professional technicians on the job, homeowners can rely on the company to provide the experience, equipment, and proper treatment solutions to ensure a safe and pest-free environment.
Hopefully this gives you some tips on what you can handle yourself in regards to pests and how to get it done naturally, and on budget!
