Bugs are more evident in our homes and yards in the summer. Flies, roaches, mosquitos, and ants are guests we can do without. Since home remedies are safe for both children and pets, we have gathered a list of items to use effectively without the use of chemicals.
Natural solutions for destroying ants in your home or in the yard can easily be resolved through adding any of these items in areas where the ants are seen.
- Use an equal mix of baking soda and powdered sugar
- Mix borax with peanut butter, water, and sugar
- Draw a line of chalk-they do not like chalk!
- Spray a mix of vinegar and water solution
- Spray a mix in a spray bottle of lemon juice, water, and a few drops of essential oil
- Add drops of peppermint oil and water mix
- Use fresh garlic cloves on ant trail
- Open a packet of NutraSweet or Equal on the ant trail
Mosquitos are nasty bugs prevalent in the evening and early morning hours of the day. Spraying camphor or garlic around the yard, garage, or room will kill the mosquitos instantly. The scent dissipates instantly, and you will not have to be concerned with your home or garage reeking of garlic. Pour old coffee grounds in standing water so that mosquito eggs will rise to top and die.
Things mosquitos hate:
- Lavender oil
- Mint
- Beer
- Dry ice
- Basil leaves
- Pinion Wood
Problem with flies at your home? Try a vinegar and dish soap fly trap by filling a shallow dish bowl with apple cider vinegar and a tablespoon of sugar. Add fruit scented dish soap and cover with plastic wrap. Poke holes to attract the flies.
Other remedies include a mix of finely chopped hot peppers and water in a sealed container kept in the sun for a week then transferred to a spray bottle, basil plants, a mix of fine ginger and water in a spray bottle, or making a solution of ¼ cup of witch hazel and ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar to 60 drops of eucalyptus oil.
Boric acid can also be used outside to treat bugs without harm to your pets. Prevention is the key!
Preventative Solutions
Seal all doors with weather-stripping.
Wipe all countertops after every meal prep.
Do not leave pet food outside.
Empty trash regularly in kitchen.
Vacuum weekly.
Wash and put dirty dishes away daily.
Remove containers that collect standing water. Sudden rain showers are frequent in the summer.
