Off the Urban Grid

Natural Remedies for Repelling Pests

Living near the woods can be a blessing and a curse if you don’t care for insects. Although bugs are essential to the ecosystem, they can quickly become pests or the enemy. However, instead of using harmful chemicals that may be toxic to your family, pets or garden, you can try more natural remedies of dealing with these creepy crawlers.

Mosquitoes can carry diseases such as the West Nile Virus and Heartworms, but you can combat these pesky insects by putting Bladderworts in your pond or lake. These purple or yellow flowered plants are carnivores, so they eat a variety of small insects. If you’re worried about mosquitoes biting your dogs while their outside in the pen, wash the doghouse with salt to repel the bugs. You can also sprinkle Epsom salt onto your bulb plants to protect them from cutworms.

Wasps and bees are difficult to deal with, especially if you’re allergic. But if they are making nests on your home, you need to act fast before they take over. Combing 1 liter of water and 10-20 drops of peppermint essential oil can prevent them from continuously building near your door. It’s best to apply this solution during the winter or evening hours, because you will be less at risk for getting stung. These insects are important to pollination, so this remedy just encourages them to nest somewhere else.

One of the more obvious ways to deal with unwanted insects in your home is to keep your house tidy. Dusting and sweeping on a regular basis can make you aware of the bugs that are getting in. Holes in your screens should be patched up and any gaps in your windowsills or doorways should be taken care of, because these are easy areas for insects to sneak in.

These simple remedies can keep insects at bay and protect you and your family from health hazards too.

Tags: bees, bladderworts, cutworms, Epsom salt, mosquitoes, natural remedies for insects, repelling pests, wasps