How to Get Rid of Insect Pests Naturally

Insects are incredible annoyances to any home environment. Not only are they irritating, they can also cause harm and spread various disease. For example, a bee sting might kill someone who is allergic to bees, while some ticks may spread Lyme disease. For those who want to repel insects without resorting to spraying their homes with poisonous pest killers bought in stores, there are natural solutions to the problem, and many can be found in your kitchen.

Things You'll Need

• Boric acid or borax powder
• Sugar
• Water
• Detergent
• Baking soda
• Sand, lime, copper or ashes
• Cucumbers
• Rosemary leaves

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Instructions

• 1

  Place boric acid or borax powder in places inside the house where you don't want insects to crawl into your house. Boric acid helps control non-flying pests such as cockroaches, silverfish, earwigs and ants. Place a narrow line across entryways and by any entrances insects are likely to crawl through. You may also spread small handfuls randomly throughout the house.

• 2

  Place a mixture of one part powdered sugar to two parts baking soda around the house to get rid of cockroaches. The sugar in the mixture will attract cockroaches, while the baking soda will kill them when they ingest it. Place small handfuls of the mixture in hidden places where children and pets can't reach it.

• 3

  Spread a line of sand, lime, copper sulphate or ashes in areas where you've seen snails. A narrow line placed on the floor across entryways or other open areas where snails get into the house is enough to deter them. Lime and copper sulphate are available at most farm supply, gardening and hardware stores.

• 4

  Sprinkle ground up rosemary leaves where your pet sleeps, to keep any fleas away.

• 5

  Fill a small container with sugar water and a drop of detergent. The detergent will break the tension on the surface of the water, which means insects that crawl or fly in will drown. You can place these containers anywhere, indoors or outdoors.

• 6

  Spread some cucumber peels where ants normally enter the home. This also works for wasps, mites, moths and flies. A few drops of lemon at the cracks where ants normally appear is also effective.

• 7

  Plant flowers and plants that repel insects around your home. Some plants that are known to repel ants include spearmint, peppermint and pennyroyal. Mint and basil are effective in controlling flies.