Say bye to bugs with eco-friendly pest control

Whether it’s an army of ants marching through the kitchen or spiders setting up camp in the corners, dealing with these intruders can become a costly seasonal challenge.

But fear not homeowners—summer isn’t just for bugs, it’s also prime time to adopt eco-friendly pest control solutions. Using natural alternatives and common household products, you can safely and affordably tackle pest problems.

From baking soda to boric acid traps, discover how simple ingredients and DIY techniques can make a big impact.

Benefits of natural pest control:

• Bugs are less likely to build resistance to eco pest control methods.
• Eco-friendly pest control generally costs less.
• Using safe pest control saves the step of taking extra precautions.

Make your home a no-pest zone

The most effective—and ethical—approach is to pest-proof your home. After all, once these unwanted guests settle in, it’s hard to totally remove them. Seal off any holes and cracks in walls, floors and ceilings, and cover vents and other entry points with mesh. And make sure you store or cover your food carefully and dispose of garbage to keep hungry insects and rodents from checking in.

Be a lean green pest prevention machine

Natural pest control refers to methods that rely on natural (chemical-free) remedies. Several natural elements, such as essential oils, fly traps, and food-grade Diatomaceous Earth, can help control the pest population. These solutions are often non-toxic, making them safe for pets and small children.

• Spray neem oil on an infested plant and the oil will kill any pests that ingest it. This method of eco-friendly pest control is non-toxic to mammals and birds and doesn’t affect pollinators like honeybees and butterflies.
• Certain essential oils, like peppermint oil, thyme oil and rosemary oil, are natural deterrents for spiders, mosquitoes, ants and even rodents. They don’t like the strong smell and will avoid areas with their scent.
• Peppermint oil is an effective type of eco-friendly pest control. To repel ants and spiders, mix a few drops of both the oil of dish soap in a spray bottle filled with warm water and hit the areas along windows and doors. For mosquitoes, put a few drops in a shallow dish of water. Keep rodents away by dipping rags or cotton balls in the oil and placing them strategically inside and outside.
• Many fabric softener sheets contain a compound called linalool. Even used dryer sheets can repel flying insects including mosquitoes.

Expert tip: Want to keep ants, spiders, and other creepy-crawlies out of your basement? Sprinkle a thin layer of Diatomaceous Earth (DE) Powder around the perimeter. DE is made from fossilized algae, and when insects come into contact with it, they dehydrate and bite the dust. It’s safe for humans and pets—just be sure to use food-grade DE!

Go from defense to offense

No matter what you do, some pests are still going to make their way inside. Evict those unwanted visitors with easy, eco-friendly solutions you may already have lying around your home. 

• Bait stations are purpose-designed, baited traps for rodents, insects and other unwanted visitors. You can use an environmentally safe poison or simply release the critters far from your home.

Use household cleaning products to wipe out pests

• Baking soda can be used as an environmentally friendly pesticide. Just sprinkle it onto surfaces or mix it with warm water and use it as a spray.
• Window cleaners are toxic on contact to most pests, especially spiders. Spraying directly onto small insects like ants or mosquitoes will kill them quickly.
• Dilute a few drops of laundry detergent in water and spray into areas where you’ve have noticed flies or other insects.
• Boric acid works well against ants and other crawling pests. To make a boric acid ant trap, mix it with sugar. The sweet stuff will lure the ants, who’ll take the lethal concoction back to their nest where the boric acid will wipe out the whole colony.
• When used carefully, bleach cleaners can kill pests on contact.

Eco pest control is the natural choice

Keeping your house clean is the number one way to deter pests from making themselves at home. When you do have to deal with pests, try any of the non-toxic, safe pest control options for a more affordable and effective method of evicting those pesky intruders. 

Stay protected with a home warranty from American Home Shield^®

^{To protect your home from infestation, eco pest control is the affordable and environmentally responsible way to go. To protect your home’s vital systems, the safe way to go is a home warranty from American Home Shield. An American Home Shield warranty that offers coverage for parts of up to 23 home systems and appliances can help make for a more worry-free, enjoyable home-owning experience. Plus, with home maintenance services available through Frontdoor Pro, provided as part of your American Home Shield warranty, you can ensure your home stays pest-free year-round. It’s all about protecting your time, your money, and your way of living.}