How to Prevent Bugs in the House
Have one of these items? Find out what it can help with!
- Cornmeal
- Cucumber
- Cedar Chips
- Herbs
- Garlic
- Vodka
- Dryer Sheets
Ant Killer: Cornmeal
If you’re looking for how to get rid of ants, the answer might be in your pantry! Sprinkling small piles of cornmeal in high ant activity areas can eliminate ant colonies. While it's not as fast as poison, cornmeal can kill these ant colonies in as little as a week. Ants take the cornmeal back to the nest thinking it’s food, but since they can’t digest it, the ants slowly starve. It also serves as a non-toxic method safe for your family and pets!
Ant Deterrent: Cucumber Slices
Looking for a natural way to get rid of ants in the kitchen? Place cucumber slices near cracks or other points of entry to stop ants in their tracks. Cucumbers contain trans-2-nonenal, a natural ant deterrent.
Flea Control: Cedar Chips
Flea control can be difficult, especially when pets have already brought them inside. The solution for this problem is actually cedar chips! Cedar chips kill fleas, mites, and mosquitoes. You can pick them up at home improvement stores for just a few dollars. Fleas and other insects despise the smell and will avoid places where you stash them.
Keep Bugs Out: Herbs
Are you looking for plants that repel mosquitoes and other insects? If you plant fragrant herbs at the entryways of your home, it can stop bugs from getting inside! The pungent smell of many herbs deters a wide variety of pests. Here is a list of herbs and what bugs they repel:
- Basil: flies and mosquitoes
- Sage: ticks
- Spearmint: ants
- Lavender: moths, ticks
- Rosemary: ticks and mosquitoes
Natural Bug Spray Options
Household items can do more than just prevent bugs in the house, you can also use them as natural bug sprays and repellents! Here are a few options:
Garlic Bug Spray
This natural bug spray recipe will send bugs packing:
- Mix 1-part garlic juice with 5-parts water in a spray bottle.
- Shake well.
- Spray on exposed body parts.
- Soak strips of cotton cloth in the mixture to hang where bugs frequently hang out.
Scientists aren't sure whether it's the allicin in garlic or simply the strong smell that keeps many bugs away, but the point is- it works!
Vodka Bug Spray
You read that right! You can use Vodka as a spray to protect yourself from mosquitoes. Straight vodka will work, but adding lavender, basil, citronella, or other essential oils will make the smell more manageable and the repellant more effective. Try to avoid flavored vodkas.
Dryer Sheet Bug Repellent
Headed outside but can't find the bug spray? Consider rubbing Bounce dryer sheets (outdoor formula) on your skin and you will repel mosquitoes, gnats, and other insects. Bounce outdoor formula contains linalool, a colorless alcohol with a flower-like odor that is a natural component of lavender, marjoram, and basil. It's toxic to fleas, mites, and other insects—hence preventing itchy bug bites!
Do You Need Professional Pest Control?
While these tips can work wonders with mild infestations, severe infestations usually require professional help. If you need to get rid of bugs and keep them away for good, let got bugs? help. Our integrated pest management techniques get rid of common pests while keeping your family and pets safe. If for some reason you aren't satisfied with our services, we'll even give you your money back, guaranteed.
Looking for a permanent solution to bug infestations? Consult with the professionals at got bugs? and find out how you can save $100 on pest control today!
