Methods Of Natural Pest Control With Herbs And Spices
Controlling the pests in your house can be quite a chore, requiring plenty of work, along with the associated traps, sprays, and so on. However, the problem with a lot of the usual methods of pest control is that they sometimes seem as awful as the problem, with nasty-smelling, poisonous chemicals going on surfaces in your house and on plants outside. Because of this, some people have chosen to turn to natural pest control in order to learn methods that keep the pests away without endangering personal health. For a lot of people, natural pest control can be had with simple herbs and spices instead of nasty chemicals.
Peppermint And Similar Herbs
The family of herbs that peppermint falls in, which includes spearmint, catnip, and pennyroyal, are all effective as natural pest control. For instance, steeping these herbs in apple cider vinegar for a couple of weeks can create a spray that discourages pests from bothering plants. Similarly, peppermint can be used to discourage ants inside the house. Simply apply some of this same mixture to where the ants happen to be making their trails, and they should start avoiding that area.
Similar results can be had with using essential oils instead of herbs as natural pest control, but this has some risks to it if you have small pets. Essential oils can be toxic to ingest and painful to the touch unless diluted heavily, so if you have inquisitive cats, a solution made from peppermint essential oil and water can be dangerous if not diluted enough. When in doubt, use the actual herbs.
Keeping Away Flying Insects
Herbs can also provide natural pest control by discouraging flying insects to stay away from both you and your things. Basil, for instance, makes an effective repellant for insects. A bowl of basil at the center of a picnic table can help keep the mosquitoes away, and keeping some near your windows and doors in the summertime can help discourage flies from coming near your home. Similarly, growing basil in your gardens can help keep some pests away, giving natural pest control without the use of sprays, and while providing a natural, pleasant herbal scent to the air.
Spices
Working similar to herbs, some spices also provide natural pest control. For instance, anything spicy seems to discourage plant growth, using the natural chemicals found in peppers to keep pests away. A spray of cayenne pepper and water on plants, for instance, will make sure that pests don't want to eat your plants while providing natural pest control that's safe for you and your family. Similarly, a little black pepper instead of peppermint can discourage ants from the areas in your home where they've been walking. So with a little work researching which herbs and spices can help you with your pest problem, you can soon be enjoying safe, natural pest control in your home.
