Although pests are common in everyday life, they are a big ‘no’ for most people. Pests can take away your joy and destroy your possessions inside your home and even in your garden. This is why contacting a company like Ridgeland pest control can be very beneficial and save you time and headaches.
A study conducted in 2016 suggests that the average home has more than 100 different species of spiders, flies, ants, and other bugs within its walls. Wealthier neighbourhoods have a larger number of bugs compared to lower-income neighbourhoods.
The walls in our homes have many tiny passageways that serve as homes to pests, and it is important to concentrate on them when doing pest control.
Can you do pest control yourself? You can put lots of money in your pocket by doing pest control yourself at home. Some pests, such as bugs, can sneak through the tiniest cracks. Therefore, you might not be able to get rid of all bugs at home. Here are some DIY pest control ideas that you’ll love.
Use Coffee Grounds
Most people get rid of their coffee grounds, but you shouldn’t if you have a pest problem. You might love your coffee, but bugs hate it.
Some compounds found in coffee, such as diterpenes and caffeine, are highly toxic to bugs. Therefore, you can use them to keep pests out of your home. Some of the bugs that coffee grounds are a repellent to are beetles, ants, fruit flies, and mosquitoes.
Sprinkling coffee grounds around outdoor seating areas will work wonders for your home. You can also set bowls of coffee grounds in different areas in your house if the problem is inside your house. For the garden, scatter coffee grounds around your plants. They will not only keep slugs and snails away but also act as compost manure.
Garlic and Mint Spray
Outdoor pest control is never easy, especially because it is not easy to spot the hiding places of bugs outside. According to this guide on the Hometalk blog, you can use readily available ingredients – garlic and mint – to keep pests away from your garden.
All you have to do is blend some mint leaves and garlic cloves in a food processor, then add a drop of dishwasher liquid and a little cayenne pepper to the mixture. Boil the mixture and let it sit for a whole night. Put the mixture in a spray bottle and use it in your garden. Your plants will be pest-free once more.
Keep Your Home Clean
Pests are mostly attracted to food particles and remain in your home. Aside from taking out garbage regularly, you should wipe your kitchen countertops and surfaces regularly. To keep these surfaces super clean, use a solution of one part vinegar and one part water to remove particles and food odours.
If there are any leaking faucets in your home, fix them. Usually, insects will come into your home looking for water because they need it to survive. Ensuring that there are no leaks keeps insects away.
Keep dry goods in sealed containers and jars and, if possible, use a trash can that has a lid to keep mice and squirrels away. Also, ensure that your drains are clear from all food leftovers as these can act as food for cockroaches. To do this, pour half a cup of vinegar, then half a cup of baking soda into the drains. Wait for five minutes, then pour boiling water into the drain to clear all food particles out. Do this at least once every month to keep your drains clear at all times.
Apple Cider Vinegar
If the greatest problem that you are facing in your home is fruit flies, worry not. You can easily get rid of them using apple cider vinegar.
All you need is a container or bottle with a funnel-shaped top or shaker. This way, flies can get into the bottle, but not out. Fill the container with apple cider vinegar. If you do not have apple cider vinegar and you need a quick solution for fruit flies, use vinegar and chopped apples instead.
A study found that fruit flies are attracted to apple cider vinegar because it mimics the smell of rotting fruit. The study also found that highly concentrated apple cider vinegar did not attract any flies. Therefore, if there are no flies in your bottle, the vinegar is probably highly contracted. Try diluting it a little.
A solution of apple cider vinegar is also effective in keeping spiders out of your home. Mix apple cider vinegar and water in equal parts, then put the mixture in a spray bottle: coat opening, cracks, and other entrances with the mixture to keep spiders out.
Summing up
Natural pest control methods are ideal for you if you are cautious about the usage of chemicals in your home. Some of the most common pests in our homes are ants, cockroaches, flies, beetles, moisture bugs, mice, bats, and squirrels. Generally, keeping your home clean will keep pests away. Make sure that you use the tips discussed above to get rid of pests.
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