Picture the scene: You’ve had a a long day running errands and taking care of the kids, and as you start pulling out food to throw dinner together, you notice a couple of ants congregating on your kitchen counter. As you look closer, you discover this small group of ants has actually marched over from across the room and is a part of a much bigger swarm than you originally thought.
You hesitate to call the exterminator since you know he will charge a hefty fee, but you wonder what other options you have. Thankfully, there are a variety of inexpensive, natural ways to get rid of bugs in your home. Read on to learn about some of these easy remedies:
Image by A Florian
Get Rid of Ants
These pesky creatures, while virtually harmless, can be extremely annoying and can repopulate very quickly. Here are some tips to get rid of them:
- Baby powder. If you sprinkle some baby powder around the ants’ place of entry, they will lose the scent of what attracted them in the first place. Eventually they will give up on coming in that particular entrance.
- Peppermint spray. Spray a natural peppermint solution on ants in your home and they will die immediately. Be sure to liberally spray their points of entry, as well.
- Cucumber slices. Since ants apparently hate the taste of cucumbers, many find success with placing small bits of cucumbers around ant problem areas.
Get Rid of Spiders
Not only can spiders become household pests, but certain species (like the Brown Recluse or the Black Widow) can be extremely dangerous, as well. Here are some tips for keeping them at bay:
- Baking soda. Sprinkle some baking soda around areas where you typically find spiders, and you will see a significant decrease in numbers.
- Get rid of clutter. Spiders thrive in dark, cluttered areas where they can be hidden but also have freedom to explore. If you need some motivation for a spring-cleaning, this could be the perfect opportunity.
- Eucalyptus leaves. If you arrange these leaves in spider problem areas, you will find that spider numbers will decrease. You can find these handy leaves at a florist or a craft store.
Get Rid of Flies
House flies can be irritating if they aren’t kept at bay, so try these tips for getting rid of them:
- Homemade flypaper. Combine ¼ cup of corn syrup and ½ cup of sugar. Cut 4 or 5 long strips about 2 inches wide from brown paper bags. Spread the syrup/sugar mixture on the strips with a knife, and hang the strips over a bowl to catch drips.
- Citrus peel. Hang citrus peel on the doors. Flies don’t like the smell of citrus, so keeping peels around your kitchen can help keep them away.
- Cover fruit and meat. Houseflies are particularly attracted to meat (raw or cooked) and a variety of different fruits, so keeping these particular foods covered is a good idea.
If you do have a problem with ants, spiders, or flies in your home, these homemade repellents are great first steps to take in getting rid of them. If you don’t notice a difference over several days, though, it’s probably time to call in a professional to take a look, since they will know best how to handle the problem.
Did you try out any of these homemade bug repellents? Share your thoughts and feedback with us here!
