Summertime is here again, and what better way to spend it than cooling off in your home, visiting the beach, or spending the day grilling? Unfortunately, pests also like to be outside during the daytime. Knowing proper pest control can make us feel much better in this sweltering heat and bugs buzzing all around. However, the chemicals and mechanical traps can pose a threat to our families if we are not enough informed about it. Try to employ the following organic pest tips to keep your household healthy and pest free this summer season:
1. Ants- Ants are capable of swarms in and around your food, as well as your home, in a very short amount of time. Aside from stinging you, ants can also contaminate your food and even cause slight structural damage due to tunneling through your home. To trap ants, merely combine sugar, honey and water in a shallow plate for them to eat. For areas with high traffic, sprinkle cinnamon or cayenne pepper to deter them. If you can manage to find the anthill or colony, you can use boiling water to deal with them, as well as a mixture of soap, water, and alcohol or borax to eliminate them.
2. Rats- These rodents will contaminate your food, leaving dirt and bacteria everywhere. They can pose a serious threat to you by spreading filth through urine and fecal matter and also scratching or biting if not careful. Most poisons will kill them, but they can also seriously harm any children or pets that may come across them as well. Another thing to note, if the rats die, their remains may become stuck in the walls which can cause even more problems! The best rat control method to deal with them would be using traps, such as making a ramp leading to a trash can filled with rotten foods. Using this method, you can release them into the wild or dispose of them humanely. Electronic rat traps will lure, electrocute and store rat remains without spreading outside of a box, which is a good alternative. If you are intent on killing them, wherever they might end up, then leave some vitamin D3 laced items lying around. Although safe enough to be exposed to your pets and children, rats will suffer a cardiovascular attack later on.
3. Mosquitoes- Perhaps the most annoying of pests, mosquitoes breed intensely during hot and moist weather. Their bites can transfer a variety of pathogens, such as malaria and west nile virus, so it is best to deal with them as quickly as possible. A controversial chemical called DDT is used in many sprays, dangerous if used too often. Try mixing together apple cider vinegar, eucalyptus oil and witch hazel to use as a spray. Another way would be to apply Thai lemon grass oil directly on the skin. If you are outside barbequing and need an area of effect deterrent, use citronella based candles as they hate the scent.
4. Termites- Termites are the most active during the summer and feed primarily on rotting wood sources, although they have been known to bore through healthy wood to reach it. As such, termites can cause tremendous structural damage to your home. Some common pest control methods to deter termites would be to use orange oil near suspected high traffic areas. Replacing infested or rotten wood with termite treated wood is a good idea if you can find the problem areas. However, finding the colony is the most difficult part, so you may want to consult a specialist.
5. Bed Bugs- Bed bugs are some of the most invasive pests that you can find in your home. These pests can lead to rashes, infections, scabies and other health complications due to the bites they inflict while you sleep. As many people tend to travel during the summer, they will also accidently spread bed bugs from hotel bed to hotel bed so knowing how to get rid of bed bugs is important. After coming back from a hotel stay, remember to immediately wash your clothing and sheets in hot water. Also, vacuum regularly around the house whenever possible to eliminate the chance of breeding. If you do spot an infestation, you can try to use Diatomaceous earth to deter them to a degree, but like termites, are very hard to spot. If you are sure you have a bed bug problem, then consult a professional immediately as they have the appropriate tools to deal with it quickly.
Now that you have an arsenal of natural pest control weapons, you can enjoy your summer without worrying about these invasive creatures. If you feel that a pest problem is truly out of your hands then do not hesitate to call a professional, otherwise these methods will be effective enough around your home.
