16 Ways to Get Rid of Pests in the House

It’s probably not necessary to napalm your home to get rid of ants, flies, cockroaches, mice and other pests in the house. Try these eco-friendly ideas first.

Advertisement

Here are 16 ways to get rid of pests in the house (without chemicals).CHERKAS/GETTY IMAGES

No one wants ants, flies, cockroaches or any other pests in their home. However, pest management can be complicated and expensive, and too often involves the use of chemicals. Fortunately, there are several easy ways, including household products, probably already in your possession, to create a safe and natural defense mechanism. Make sure you recognize the signs that you have bed bugs.

Here are tactics for combating minor infestations, or preventing them in the first place. But if the situation becomes a nightmare, professional services may be in order.

Steel wool repels mice

Seal cracks or holes in walls and baseboards with steel wool, which mice and others cannot chew their way through. Never ignore these unusual noises in the house , they can indicate the presence of pests!

Sprinkle a thin, unbroken line of cayenne pepper, black pepper, or salt across their path. Or draw a line with chalk. Here are other homemade tips that will help you get rid of ants.

Ants flee the strong odors of certain plants. Place pots of pennyroyal or tansy near critical areas, or prepare dried bouquets. Wipe window sills often with clove oil or eucalyptus oil.

A natural recipe to repel pests in the house.ABERRATION FILMS LTD/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/GETTY IMAGES

Natural cockroach repellent recipe

To repel cockroaches, try Blueprint Home founder Scott Cam’s onion strategy: Slice an onion, mix with 1 tbsp. teaspoon baking soda; place them close to cockroach hotspots. Other insect repellents include vanilla bean and dried Dalmatian pyrethrum.

The baking soda and vinegar combo works wonders as home cleaners!

Heat gun against cockroaches

Rather than surface sprays, try a heat gun to remove cockroaches from under cabinets and behind the fridge. The heat destroys their wings, which kills them.

Move stored produce often to repel pests in the home.ADSHOOTER/GETTY IMAGES

Pivoting of bulk to stop nesting

Move bulk products such as plastic bags, towels, toiletries and products under the sink often, as cockroaches and other household pests love to nest there, and moving them will disrupt this process.

You will be surprised to learn that you should never kill a scutigera!

Quickly repair any leaking taps or pipes, as cockroaches and other pests love damp, warm places with a source of water.

Eliminate standing water to prevent pests in the home.NUNO CÂNDIDO/EYEEM/GETTY IMAGES

Elimination of standing water

Mosquitoes are attracted to standing water, where they lay their eggs. According to Jen Stark, founder of Happy DIY Home, you should “cover, spill, or remove any item in your yard that can hold water, such as a bucket, birdbath, or paddling pool,” leaving no possibility for mosquitoes to nest there. Anything that can contain standing water is one of the things you should never leave lying around in your backyard!

You sometimes transport parasites directly from the market. Keep food safe in airtight, proof containers.

It’s better to have a spotless kitchen to avoid pests in the house.MONKEYBUSINESSIMAGES/GETTY IMAGES

Impeccable kitchen

Wipe up any spills immediately, and do not leave food out on the kitchen counter. This also applies to pet food which attracts parasites. And clean the oven often after use. It will only take you a minute to do these household chores!

It is better to have an impeccable interior to avoid parasites in the house.DRAZEN_/GETTY IMAGES

…as well as the rest of the house

Even though the kitchen is a major target for vermin, the rest of the house should always be clean. “Vacuum and mop weekly, especially under and between appliances, and along baseboards and closet shelves,” advises Jen Stark. Empty trash and recycling bins frequently, and clean up any mess inside them.” Wash pet bedding often.

Control the humidifier to avoid pests in the house.DRAW05/GETTY IMAGES

Humidifier control

This is mainly a preventative measure, but many critters are attracted to humidity, such as “centipedes, centipedes, woodlice, silverfish and earwigs,” warns Jen Stark. They gather in damp places in the house to reproduce and have a water source.

Take a look at these tips that will help you have a healthier home.

Inspect the exterior to avoid pests in the house.CASARSAGURU/GETTY IMAGES

Inspection of the exterior of the house

Prune branches that touch the house: this is the path of tree aphid-eating ants to your home. Find holes and cracks in soffits and fascia, especially where adjoining roof coverings meet. Also keep an eye out for vents with missing or chewed grilles: they give squirrels, bats and other pests access to your attic.

Finally, if you haven’t already, place chimney caps to prevent birds and rodents from building their nests in your chimney’s combustion chamber.