An unfortunate fact of life is that pests sometimes find their way into our homes. Not only can this be bothersome but it can also be costly and dangerous. Pests can cause structural damage to your home and can sometimes carry serious diseases. Dealing with the problem quickly is essential if you want to minimize the chances of any serious repercussions.
Unfortunately, however, with most commercial pest control products, the cure is almost worse than the initial problem. These products are typically laden with toxic chemicals that can harm children and pets if not used properly. Rather than bringing these potentially deadly substances into your home, it makes far more sense to look for natural alternatives. Here are some non-toxic methods of pest control from the pros at Excel pest control NJ that you may want to try:
1. Keep your house clean. Pests such as cockroaches and ants are attracted to bits of food and other tasty morsels that fall to the floor or are left on the countertop. Cleaning your floor and counters thoroughly after each time that you prepare food can go a long way toward minimizing the problem.
2. Store food in airtight containers. Invest in a set of air-tight storage containers for your dry goods such as cereal, sugar, flour, and grains. When you get these types of food home from the grocery store, transfer them from their original packaging into these containers. This will help keep pests such as cockroaches, ants, or rodents from invading your cabinets or pantry in search of food.
3. Seal your home. Look for any areas where pests may be entering your home. Using caulk or expanding spray foam, seal these openings. The better job you do of finding hidden openings, the less likely insects, and other pests are to find their way into your home.
4. Trim vegetation around your windows. If you have shrubs or other vegetation located directly next to your windows, it can make it easier for pests to get inside. Trim these plants back so that there is quite a bit of space between them and your windows. Additionally, avoid stacking firewood or other items close to your windows.
5. Try diatomaceous earth. This unique product is made up of fossilized diatoms that have been crushed into a fine powder. It is non-toxic to humans and pets. However, when insects come in contact with it, it creates tiny scratches in their exoskeletons that eventually cause them to die. Simply sprinkle it in areas where insects live or gather. Before long you should notice a significant decrease in the number of pests around your home or garden. The only thing you need to keep in mind is that this powder not only kills harmful insects but beneficial insects as well.
6. Consider using essential oils to deter pests. There are countless different uses for essential oils when it comes to pest control. For instance, dabbing cinnamon oil near an area where ants are entering your home can help keep them from coming inside. Lavender oil will help repel mosquitoes. You can even use it to create a non-toxic bug spray by mixing it with water and spraying it on your skin before you go outside. Other oils that are commonly used in pest control include oregano oil, peppermint oil, citronella oil and clove oil. Try searching your favorite search engine for the type of pest that you are trying to get rid of along with the words “essential oil” to see which oils are most effective at deterring them. Also, before you use a particular oil around your home, make sure that it is safe for your pets. Cats, in particular, are sensitive to certain oils.
These non-toxic pest control methods can help keep your home free from pests without the need to resort to harmful chemicals.