I’m a self-proclaimed bug lover. Although, I have to preface that by admitting that as much as I love them, I’m also afraid of them. I’ve been known to let out a scream or two when I see them (especially a giant spider). However, after the scream I always do my best to compose myself and return the little creatures to their natural habitat without harm.
When they come into my home, uninvited, they officially become pests. I don’t want them around. It’s a simple fix to contact a pest control service, who will gladly use oodles of toxic chemicals to help those pesky guests leave pronto.
But I’m not willing to use pesticides. I don’t use them near my kids or pets. I don’t want them around. Conventional pesticides contain toxic ingredients that can, according to the EPA, affect the nervous system, cause skin and eye irritation, affect hormones and the endocrine system, and cause cancer.
Thankfully there are green alternatives out there for pest control. Here are my top three annoying pests and the non-toxic remedies that will keep them away.
Mice
Prevention
Keep your home clean. Be sure that food is in proper storage containers and crumbs are wiped up after a meal. Make sure your home is sealed properly-although mice can enter through a very small opening.
Non-toxic remedies
- Peppermint is a natural mouse deterrent. Place in the area you want to keep mice free and the scent will send them away.
- Dip cotton balls in peppermint oil and spread around effected area. Mice are repelled by the smell.
- There are also plenty of cruelty free mouse traps on the market that capture the mouse and allow you to set it free outside.
Ants
Prevention
Avoid leaving food on the counter at night. Keep counters and tables free from crumbs.
Non-toxic remedies
- I’ve used cinnamon in the past and if you can tolerate the mess it works.
- Coffee grounds are another way to combat ants both in and out of the home (your garden).
- Lemon Juice mixed with water in a spray bottle works well against ants. Spray on the surface you are concerned with.
- Vinegar. My all time favorite solution for so many things is also an effective any repellant.
Fruit Flies
Although these little buggers aren’t usually in the traditional “pest” category, they are my nemesis.
Prevention
Don’t leave extremely ripe fruit on the counter. Take out your garbage if there are any fruit remains (composting is a better bet for leftover fruit).
Non-toxic remedy
- Make a trap. Use a funnel or a piece of paper rolled into a cone shape for the trap (rolled paper worked well for me). Place a small amount of apple cider vinegar or wine in a glass. Place the cone or funnel inside the glass. The fruit flies will fly into the cone and won’t be able to exit.
Healthy Child Healthy World has created a guide for 5 Easy Steps to a Healthier and Safer Home. The first step is to avoid pesticides. Fortunately, there are so many alternatives to pesticides in pest control-they key is to try out a few and find what really works for you.
Do you have any natural pest control solutions that work? Please share.
[Photo used under Creative Commons by Sancho McCann/Flickr]
I hate fruit flies. Last year when we were living in Wichita, KS they were all over our place even the bathroom! Gross! Seriously, I was going insane! When they landed on my toothbrush that’s when time I lost it!! lol! What I did which worked well was take a container and add apple cider vinegar and a splash of dish soap. Add water. It will make subs and leave where the fruit flies are.They go for the apple cider vinegar and get trap on the bubbles….sneaky sneaky! And I also creep up on them and squished them with a towel. They are fast suckers though. Thats only worked 50% of the time! 🙂
I tried the cinnamon on ants a few years ago and I think it worked. I try vinegar on everything too. I even sprayed the ants in the sandbox with it (not sure if it worked).
Last week I escorted a large-ish spider from the basement to the backyard.
I will have to look into using peppermint to repel mice.
Here is my cockroach story. Enjoy!
http://www.eco-novice.com/2011/11/cockroaches-fruit-flies-and-ants-oh-my.html
Wow these are all such great tips! I always look forward to reading your posts.
Oh man Betsy-that’s quite a story! Thanks for sharing. Nice to know the non-toxic alternatives worked!
What did you think of the cinnamon Marsha? I think it worked, but it was a little messy. I am envisioning you spraying ants in the sandbox. Thanks for the laugh!
Fruit flies are so annoying Stephanie! I think I would have flipped out if they were anywhere near my toothbrush. I like your recipe: apple cider vinegar and dish soap. Did you leave the container on the counter and let the fruit flies find it?
Thanks so much Alicia! You just made my day 🙂
I just wrote a really long comment about mice chewing electrical wires in the hood of our old Ford Truck… and then became stunned at what a country girl I’ve somehow become. How did this happen?
😉
What a useful post! Mice haven’t been a problem, but ants are attracted to the wheat-based cat litter I use in the spring and fall when they need to feed their little ones. And the downside to Toronto’s curbside organic waste collection is that the kitchen container attracts fruit flies in the summer. I’ll be sure to use your remedy next year when they return!
Move to the country Sarah-that’s how it happens! Get a Ford Truck 🙂 I’m not so sure you can take all of the city out of the country girl-it’s still in there!
Thanks Andrea! I didn’t realize ants are attracted to wheat-based cat litter. Could you add in cinnamon or vinegar? Or would that keep the cats away too?
I’ve used the peppermint oil for mice. While it seems to work a little, I’m not going to lie, I caved and let my husband set some snap traps. They are just something I can’t have patience with, especially when they are leaving droppings in my cupboards and on my countertops.
Sadly the cats wouldn’t be okay with cinnamon or vinegar in their litter, they’d wrinkle their little noses at the strange smell. The most I can do is use something close to where the ants emerge from the wall.
Cathy it’s hard not to cave when you find mouse droppings everywhere! Especially where your food is stored and placed. Maybe after the mice are gone the peppermint oil will be a good deterrent? And your house will smell like candy canes 🙂
I had a feeling Andrea that the scents wouldn’t work well for the cats. Stopping them from getting to the litter box is a better bet.
Very nice article! One of the things that is often forgotten is that if mice and other critters never get inside to begin with, they are not a problem. Pest prevention is much better than control after the fact. Keeping them outside where they belong is a worthy goal. Practicing exclusion by sealing up all the holes and cracks, and repairing weatherstripping is the best way to keep nature in the great outdoors. Since All pests come from outside, and your indoor pest control is directly related to your outdoor efforts.
Thanks for stopping by James! You raise a very good point-pest prevention is the first line of defense. Making sure your home is properly sealed is so worthwhile. Thanks for the great tips.
Great tips! I didn’t know mice were averse to peppermint. I had a fruit fly issue at my old apartment. I was able to make a trap by mixing together apple cider vinegar, some old wine, and maybe a little lemon juice. I added a few pieces of old fruit to lure the flies in, and they were killed by the alcohol and vinegar.
Thanks Lynn! Sounds like a great mixture to get rid of fruit flies. Good idea to add a piece of the fruit they are looking for. Thanks for the extra tips!
I use diatomaceous earth against ants. so far the result is positive. it only took 1 week for all the indoor ants to be exterminated.