Natural DIY Pest Control Products Found in Your Kitchen
Long before there was picaridin or DEET to ward off bloodsucking bugs, before ant traps and spray pesticides, people found other ways to deter pests. Herbs, spices, minerals and other organic compounds that are either unappealing or toxic to pests (or both) abound in nature and, believe it or not, probably your pantry.
If you’re a natural-minded homeowner or just looking to stretch your pennies a bit further, you are probably already in possession of some natural DIY pest control products on the shelves in your very own pantry. While we applaud eco-conscious and budget-friendly pest control efforts, please remember these natural alternatives are ideal only for the most minor of pest problems. These natural products won’t eliminate, but only help deter pests from your property.
Still, it doesn’t hurt to at least get a sense of what your options are the next time, say, you’re on a picnic and an army of ants has decided to lay siege (keep reading to learn how cinnamon might save the day in this situation).
A Natural Deterrent
Many species of plants produce their own pest deterrents. A classic example is the tobacco plant, which produces nicotine -- a toxic chemical meant to poison any would-be leaf-eaters. But back to that hypothetical ant problem: Cinnamon also contains a substance -- called “cinnamaldehyde” -- that’s toxic to ants and some species of cockroach.
Will spreading some powdered cinnamon around the perimeter of your picnic blanket stave off the teeming hordes of ants coming for your lunch? Maybe, maybe not, but all you’ve got to lose at that point is some garnish.
Effective Defense or Old Wives Tale?
Some of these home-spun pest control methods have been rigorously tested using science, but some are little more than folklore whose only “evidence” is anecdotal. Just like with our picnic example, however, in most cases it wouldn’t hurt to try these methods if there’s nothing else available or handy:
Basil -- Will a bit of basil per day keep the flies away? Many amateur gardeners like to grow basil on the windowsill to help keep bugs at bay. Why? Basil’s strong aroma, like that of other herbs, is overpowering to pests like mosquitoes.
Cayenne Pepper -- All out of cinnamon? Try cayenne pepper instead. It’s not toxic to ants like cinnamon is, but it might mask the smell of your other food so ants and other raiders just pass on by. How does cayenne pepper deter pests? Credit the compound capsaicin, considered by the Environmental Protection Agency to be a biochemical pesticide, which is an irritant to tissues.
Cloves -- Good for more than just spicing up a ham, clove essential oil has been shown to act as a mosquito repellent. The active components in cloves and clove oil, specifically eugenol, eugenyl acetate, and ß-carophyllene methyl eugenol, make it a minimum risk natural pesticide. If you try it, don’t apply it directly to your skin, as it can cause some irritation -- instead, find an inconspicuous area of clothing to test it on. It may also help to dilute it with witch hazel to more easily apply it, just like any other bug spray.
Coffee Grounds -- The ground up beans that make your favorite morning brew contain caffeine and compounds called diterpenes, which can be highly toxic to insects. Try sprinkling used coffee grounds around the perimeter of your campsite or next backyard barbecue.
Garlic -- Crush up a clove of garlic to release the amino acid, allicin, which is responsible for that instantly recognizable garlic smell, which so many of us love, but mosquitoes hate and, therefore, will avoid.
Lavender -- Look to lavender’s non-toxic compound, linalool, as a natural deterrent against ants, fleas, and spiders. In fact, although many people value lavender for aromatherapy, its calming scent has the opposite effect on many insects who just cannot stomach the smell.
Mint -- Similar to fellow herbs like basil, mint is delicious in recipes and also effective as a pest repellent, which some say works on mosquitoes and other insects, spiders, mice and more.
Rosemary -- Another herb valued for its amazing smell, rosemary is also credited with keeping bugs at bay; in fact, the Farmer’s Almanac suggests throwing a few sprigs on the grill during your next cookout to create a fragrant smoke that repels mosquitoes.
Thyme -- Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies, however, like a banana. What fruit flies don’t, apparently, like is thyme, the oil of which can be used to repel them. Just be careful -- this one is also toxic to cats.
Vinegar -- A tried-and-true home remedy, spraying a solution of vinegar and water around doorways and window sills is a strong, natural defense against pests, especially spiders, due to its acidity. In fact, white vinegar can even disrupt the follow-me trail of pheromones left by ants, which will send them off course.
When to Call the Pros
Once again, feel free to try some of these natural pest control methods when the problem isn’t serious. While these methods might deter pests when the infestation is mild, a professional should be called for any pest causing threat to your family or your home or if the infestation is anything more than a mild nuisance. If you encounter carpenter ants, termites, cockroaches or rodents, those problems need to be handled immediately by a professional.
Modern-day professional pest control methods embrace an approach called Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, which prioritizes environmental and behavioral control measures over chemical or other intrusive strategies. In other words, many of our techniques are just as clean and “organic” as used coffee grounds and herb gardens. The main difference is we can vouch for the fact that our practices work -- and work well.
We love a good DIY project, but they’re not always appropriate. Give us a call today to discuss our “green” pest control options.
