[:en]No one wants to deal with pests like mice or (shudder!) cockroaches in their home. If you have small children, pets, or simply don’t feel good about putting toxic chemicals into your home environment, traditional pest control methods may not be the right choice for you. There are ways to keep pests at bay without the use of toxic chemicals, however. Here are a handful of ideas to try out around your home:
- Seal Up Cracks and Holes. The best natural pest control option is to prevent pests from getting inside in the first place. Keep in mind that mice can slip into a hole as small as a quarter, and of course ants and other insects can get through even the tiniest cracks. Spend time periodically going over the exterior and interior of your home, sealing cracks and holes with caulk and making sure your windows and doors are adequately sealed.
- Plant Mint. Mint not only smells amazing and can easily be used in cooking, but it also naturally repels mosquitos, spiders, and other pests. The best way to incorporate mint into your natural pest control strategy is to plant peppermint, spearmint or your mint of choice in pots and place them on the front porch, back patio, or near your exterior doors. Planting mint in the ground can be unwise because it proliferates so quickly and can take soil and water resources away from other plants and flowers.
- Use Cinnamon for Ant Control. A neat DIY trick when you see ants around the house is to make barriers by sprinkling cinnamon across all of your doorways. Ants hate the smell of cinnamon and will not cross a cinnamon line, allowing you to easily kill the ants that are present and keep new ants from entering your home.
- Try Lavender to Keep Moths at Bay. If moths have been infiltrating your closets and drawers, chewing holes in your favorite sweaters, it’s lavender to the rescue! To make use of this natural moth repellent, simply dilute a little lavender essential oil in a spray bottle of water and mist your closets and drawers. Your clothes will smell great and also be moth-free.
- Tidy Up! While even clean houses can experience pest control problems, in general the tidier and cleaner your home is, the less attractive it will be to pests. Pests like hiding spaces as well as sources of readily available food and water. Keeping your home clear of clutter, sweeping and mopping floors and wiping down counters regularly, and keeping food in tightly sealed containers are excellent ways to detract a variety of pests without the use of chemicals.
- Try a Humane DIY Mouse Trap. Mice breed rapidly and profusely, which can quickly lead to an infestation that requires professional intervention. If you’re just dealing with a single mouse, however, try trapping it with one of these humane, no-kill DIY traps. Then simply let it out at a park or other spot in nature away from your home.
Have any other natural pest control tips that have worked great for your home? Let us know in the comments! [:]
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