When an ant, cockroach, or flea decides to make an appearance at a barbeque or dinner party, it is enough to ruin the entire event. Pests like these can easily be controlled with pesticides, but the chemicals that these products contain can be detrimental to the health of you, your children, or your pets. With such risks involved, many people find themselves searching for other methods like natural pest control and prevention.
One of the most common problems in the summer time is the ants. They climb onto tables and decks, and frequent the cabinets in the home. To prevent ants from entering the home, try finding where the ants enter. Once this spot has been located, create a barrier by spreading cayenne pepper, citrus oil, or coffee grounds over the area. The ants will not pass over these items. If the ants are already in the home, try placing cucumber peels, garlic cloves, or spearmint leaves in the cabinets. These products are known to repel ants, chasing them out of your home. Once ants are under control in the home, you can focus on infestations that are outdoors. Sprinkle cornmeal in and around the entrance to the ant hill. The ants will bring the cornmeal home and share it with the colony. Cornmeal cannot be digested by the ants and the colony will be killed off within a week.
Cockroaches are one of the most repulsive pests around, but natural pest control does exist for them as well. Catnip will repel cockroaches, so place it in areas that you know the roaches will frequent. To kill off an existing population, place a piece of bread that has been soaked in beer in a plastic container. Place the container where the roaches will find it. As with the cornmeal and the ants, the roaches will not be to properly digest the beer, causing them to slowly die off. Keep a bottle of soapy water handy at all times. If a roach is seen out in the open, spray it with the soapy water, and this will kill the roach within minutes by breaking down its exoskeleton.
Natural pest control also exists for mosquitoes. As a preventative measure, remove all standing water from the yard, as this is the preferred habitat for mosquitoes. When planning on spending time outdoors, rub on a solution that is at least thirty percent eucalyptus. The eucalyptus has been proven to prevent mosquitoes from biting. Planting sage, rosemary, and marigold throughout the yard will also help repel mosquitoes. These plants have a natural deterrent quality. Another effective repellent for mosquitoes is anything that creates smoke. During a barbeque or other outdoor gathering, burn incense or other smoky item to help repel the swarms that may gather and annoy your guests.
With natural pest control methods such as these, there is no need to keep harmful chemicals around the house.
Visit our site to learn more about insect control and find out more about ant repellent.
8 Lemon Aid Tips
Lemons make a great drink, but they also serve other purposes from cleaning to skin healing. Squeeze a lemon and find out how beneficial this fruit can be. Here are 8 Lemon Aid tips for this amazing sunny-yellow fruit.
- Improve the flavor of tea and helps reduce the bitterness of green tea. Adding a thin slice to your drink will also increase your bodies absorption of those nasty antioxidants.
- Cut lemons for freshness. A lemon slice can be used as a deodorant under your arms or even on smelly feet.
- Soothe an achy sunburn. Just mix some juice with cool water and rub gently onto the skin. It will soothe and help you recover from exposures to the sun.
- Lemon as a stain remover. Squeeze a lemon onto an ink spot or other stain and let sit overnight. Laundry the item and repeat before drying if needed.
- Clean pots and pans. Simply make a paste of salt (or baking powder) and lemon juice. Rub on copper to remove oxidation and rinse and dry.
- Clean and freshen your dishwasher. Again squeeze a lemon into your dishwasher. Run a normal cycle and your dishwasher will be cleaner and smell lemony fresh.
- Ant repellent. Pouring lemon juice around areas where ants are to repel them.
- Lemon Cleaner. Add equal amounts of water and lemon juice in a spray bottle. This will keep every thing squeaky clean and is good for the environment.
Be creative and come up with your own lemon use. Fill a bowl with lemons and you have a table centerpiece. The list can go on and on.
