Last Updated on
There are some organisms that, no matter how compassionate we are, none of us want in our homes. There are also a range of insects and other critters that certain people might wish to keep away from their properties because of the local flora and fauna. Unfortunately, many of the most readily available solutions for controlling pests require harming or killing either the organisms themselves or others that are nearby.
Fortunately, there are a number of eco-friendly solutions out there, even if they aren’t very well advertised sometimes. Here are 3 simple and green pest control methods suitable for the home and the garden.
Insectary Plants
Insectary plants (can we all just take a moment to appreciate how awesome the word ‘insectary’ is), are plants which attract good bugs to your garden. The honey bee is the most common type of bee and is the only type of bee that dies after deploying its stinger, but it is capable of delivering a painful sting. However, bees are great for a number of reasons, not least of all because they are important pollinators.
Cultivate plants which produce nectar or pollen and you will attract the bees and other bugs who act like bouncers, keeping those pests at bay. Examples of insectary plants include thyme, mint, rosemary, marigold, and dill.
Natural Remedies
For controlling the general insect population in your garden or home, mix a tablespoon of canola oil with a couple of drops of ivory soap into some water. Pour the resulting contents into a bottle with a spray nozzle (make sure you wash it out first), and then spray the resulting contents over plants. For indoor use, spray a small amount on a suitable surface near any areas through which insects enter your home.
Diatomaceous earth serves as an effective barrier against slugs, earwigs, and other soft-bodied insects. To those insects, the diatomic particles are small and sharp, making them unpleasant to crawl over.
Watch Your Pets
If you have a cat or dog, they will no doubt enjoy exploring your garden now and then. Even if you only have a small outdoor space, pets are naturally curious and will try to explore as much of it as they can access. Of course, you shouldn’t discourage your pets from spending time outside, but you should be wary of them bringing in unwanted guests. You should try and keep your pets off the bed and other soft furnishings as much as possible, but if they do get up there, consider washing the sheets and/or covers.
Invest in Organic Bed Sheets
Speaking of bed sheets, if you want to make sure you are doing your part for the environment in more ways than one, consider investing in organic bed sheets from a place like SOL Organics as these are manufactured without using pesticides, herbicides and synthetic fertilizers.
There is an endless litany of creepy-crawlies waiting to invade your home and infest your furniture. However, there are also a number of ecologically friendly things you can do to control pests while leaving the surrounding wildlife untouched.
Reply