5 Green Ways To Keep Pests Out of Your Home

By Kara Masterson

When it comes to pests, nothing is as effective as Mother Nature. Your home and your family members will benefit immensely by combating pests naturally. Pets and children do not have to be quarantined or managed, which is nice. There are no extra precautions that have to be taken and no serious side effects. The benefits of going the natural route are numerous, especially when it comes to preventing or fighting pests.

Follow these easy green and simple steps to prevent pests in your home:

Combat Ants With Vinegar

By preparing a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water, you can add it to a spray bottle to wipe countertops, floors and any areas that you’ve seen ants. If you do this several times per day you’ll actually destroy the scent trails the ants use to navigate;

Fight Fleas With Salt

Salt can actually kill fleas and their eggs. Salting your carpets and rugs every day for 9 days will destroy fleas, their eggs and any larvae. Be sure you vacuum every 3rd day and empty the vacuum contents into a bag outside so the fleas cannot crawl back out of the vacuum. Tie up the bag with the vacuum contents and discard;

Dodge Dust Mites With Oil

Cinnamon oil is very effective at preventing and eliminating dust mites. Add a few drops to water mixed with denatured alcohol and spray your carpets, rugs and bedding. Spray it on anything and everywhere that dust collects. When you vacuum or clean these areas, be sure to spray them again to keep the oil mixture fresh and working for you. The added benefit is that the oil makes your home smell wonderful;

Barrier Those Flies With Basil

Flies hate basil. Put pots of fresh basil in entryways, doorways, window sills and on your counters to prevent flies. Fresh basil can also be easily used for cooking and the scent will keep your home smelling great. Don’t have access to fresh basil? Dried basil works, too. Just add some to pouches and place throughout the house, giving them a crinkle every few days to keep the scent live;

Citrus and Spiders

Spiders avoid citrus. If you add some unsweetened lemon or lime juice to water and spray your doorways and window sills, your house will smell great and you’ll not have a problem with spiders accidentally entering.

There are so many different ways to take care of pests that you can do yourself, or you can look into different professionals, such as those at fairfax pest control. You just have to make sure to do your research so that you can find the greenest pest control company possible.

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Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from West Jordan, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max.  She loves to connect with people on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/kara.masterson.58.