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Natural Ways to Get Rid of Bugs This Summer
Most of us would prefer to forego harsh chemicals to repel summertime bugs. But we also don't want our homes and gardens to be overwhelmed by pests. You know the kind: they bite, sting, make us sick, and destroy our flowers and vegetables. Some of them work their way inside and wreak havoc in insidious ways in our closets, in the kitchen pantry, or while we're trying to cook dinner.
You've probably heard of some natural remedies for a lot of these pests and have wondered how effective they are.
Need some additional advice about controlling pests and other issues as you think about listing your home among Richmond homes for sale? Follow these tips below.
- Garlic
Garlic doesn't just keep the vampires away. It's a natural bug repellent inside or outside the home. Grow the plants to repel fruit tree borers, weevils, Japanese beetles, and spider mites. Eating lots of garlic can keep mosquitoes away because you exude garlic breath and sulfur compounds from the skin. Also, you can exploit garlic's natural sulfur content by mixing it, either raw or in powder form, with water and spraying it on plants and on yourself to repel mosquitoes. - Peppermint
The insect-repelling properties of peppermint and other mints have been known for ages. Add peppermint oil to water and spray it around the house to repel flies, ants, and pantry moths. Grow peppermint outdoors or place pots with the plants around your patio to repel mosquitoes. Rub the leaves on your skin to ward off mosquitoes. Plant peppermint around your home's exterior to deter wasps, ants, and cockroaches. - Pennyroyal
Exercise care with this member of the mint family and never ingest it. Stick some crushed stems under your hat or put them in your pockets to keep away mosquitoes and gnats. Wrap some of the crushed plant in your doggie's bandana before you go walking to drive off fleas, but get rid of it when you get back home. Never use it as an essential oil. - Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is made of fossilized algae called diatoms. High in silica, this substance is found worldwide. Diatomaceous earth has many uses, but one of the major ones is as an insecticide. It's non-toxic but kills insects by drying them out. Gardeners sprinkle it in flower beds to control snails, pillbugs, and other insects. Homeowners sometimes use it inside the home to control roaches and fleas. - Boric Acid
This white powder contains boron, which is sprinkled around baseboards or on carpets. Insects such as cockroaches, fleas, termites, and silverfish walk through the dust and lick it off their legs. It causes them to become dehydrated within about ten days. Keep pets and children away from boric acid.
The key to attaining success with the remedies listed above is to use them liberally, inside, and outside the home. Nevertheless, do keep kids and pets away from them, as you don't want them ingesting these substances.
Turn to our real estate agents for more advice on getting your home in shape to list. Contact us today.