Each year Americans spend over $1 billion on synthetic pesticides and use over 70 million pounds of it. Synthetic pesticides are chemicals used to prevent, destroy, or reduce the severity of pests. Most synthetic pesticides have harmful risks to humans (especially children), animals, beneficial bugs (honeybees, ladybugs, and wasps), and the environment. Synthetic pesticides can vary in their toxicity, with effects such as cancer, respiratory illnesses, headaches, and dizziness. They also disrupt the balance of our environment and leach into our soil and water supply. So what can you do?
Either attract natural predators such as birds, bats, and beneficial bugs to live in your yard or choose a natural pest control remedy. (Remember beneficial bugs eat pest bugs, so you don’t want to kill the beneficial bugs.)
You can attract birds, bats, and beneficial bugs to your yard by providing them with the things that they love. Put out bird feeders, birdbaths, bird and bat houses, and leave parts of your garden untrimmed in the winter for beneficial bugs to live. Plant dill, cosmos, marigolds, coriander, and spearmint to attract beneficial bugs.
If you are looking for natural pest control remedies, try these recipes:
1. Natural Ant Pest Control Recipe
Locate the anthill and sprinkle it with salt. Dust trouble areas with baking soda.
2. Natural Mosquito Pest Control Recipe
Carry a fabric dryer sheet in your pocket.
3. Natural Ladybug Control Recipe
If you have an infestation in your home, seal the windows and doors completely. Each Ladybug consumes over 100 aphids a day so they are very beneficial.
4. Natural Overall Pest Control Recipe
Mix 1 Tbsp. earth-friendly dishwashing liquid with 1 Tbsp. cooking oil and 1 quart of water in a spray bottle. Spray the trouble areas weekly or as necessary.
How do you naturally control unwanted pests?
never knew that about ants and salt… Great tip, and I will try it 🙂
Happy Tuesday
Hi Laura,
Happy Tuesday to you as well. I am glad the tip will help you. xo
I didn’t know about the salt either. Thanks! We have a horrible mosquito problem during the summer months due to having an evaporative cooler instead of AC (very popular in AZ). So, it makes the house and patios more damp than usual. I stuff dryer sheets in the patio furniture. It does make a difference:)
Rikkianne, Fabulous idea. I didn’t think of that. I will definitely try that this summer. Thanks for the great tip. xo.
My grandmother use to put dry grits on ant piles. Supposedly, they eat it then drink and the grit expands to kill them. I like the salt idea too, though.