Keeping pests at bay can often seem to be a never-ending, almost unwinnable battle. This is especially true if you’re trying to use humane, or environmentally friendly methods to achieve your aims.

However, just because you decide that you need an exterminator, doesn’t mean that you should forego the organic approach to pest control. After all, pesticides can have a detrimental effect on your health as well as the pests, an organic approach is better for you and your family.

Most pest control companies will be prepared to try an array of approaches, with the most deadly being saved until last. Find out more info from your local pest control firm, you may be surprised!

Of course, once you have an infestation you’ll need to eliminate it. But, using an organic approach to pest control can help you to prevent the problem from arising. Here’s what you need to do:

Using Diatomaceous Earth (DE)

This is not as well known a substance as it should be! Diatomaceous Earth looks a little like talc, but, when it comes into contact with the exoskeleton of a pest, it compromises their coating.

In a short space of time, this actually turns the inside of the bug into jelly, effectively killing it. The funny thing is that you can safely eat DE!

DE is a very fine powder which is full of sharp edges, these can also damage the exoskeletons of pests and even cut those without exo-skeletons. It’s a great all-round line of defense.

Clean-Up

Before you start using any organic or non-organic pest control methods you should make sure that your house and yard are clean. This means vacuuming, cleaning countertops, and making sure that all foods are stored inside sealed containers.

If you eliminate the food for pests then you stop many of them from finding your house desirable.

It’s worth giving your kitchen a deep clean on a regular basis, a clean kitchen really is one of the best defenses against pests.

Soapy Water

This is a really easy and effective method of pest control. Simply add a little dish soap to a spray bottle of water. Then, whenever you see ants or other insects you spray them with the solution. The stickiness prevents them from moving properly and they’ll die.

Cucumber

You may not know it but many pests, particularly ants, don’t like cucumber. By placing it in front of ant entry points you’ll prevent them from entering your home!

Mint leaves or even mint tea bags can have the same effect.

Catnip

This substance, which is irresistible to cats, is actually a cockroach repellant! You can simply sprinkle catnip around your entry points, or, you can dissolve some catnip in hot water and, once it’s cooled, put it in a spray bottle.

The spray can then be used along all the edges of your home, making it undesirable to cockroaches.

Plant Herbs

Ants don’t like cucumber, many pests don’t like mint, but that’s not the only herbs you can use. Rosemary is effective at keeping mosquitoes away, basil and bay leaves keep flies away, and marigolds are surprisingly effective at keeping all bugs away!

You can also use nontoxic traps for any pests, you’ll simply need to identify which pest you’re dealing with first. Alternatively, you can also use an electrical zapper, it’s effective against most pests.