Top 12 Eco Friendly Pest Control Methods – Updated With 3 New Methods
The Best Environmentally Friendly Pest Treatment Choices
Making the right choices can have lasting impacts. For pest control, traditional methods that rely on harsh chemicals and pesticides are potentially dangerous. These chemicals can cause cancer, birth defects, and neurological damage.
That’s why eco-friendly alternatives are an important option for homeowners. Get to know the safe pest control methods that won’t harm you, your family or the environment.
We were lucky to chat with Brent Mcpherson a local pest controller who provides extermination services throughout NSW. He said natural repellents like boric acid and neem oil work great, as well as making sure all windows are sealed and fix leaking taps.
Problems with Chemicals in Pesticides
Using harsh chemicals can be risky for people’s health, especially for familes. Chemicals such as inesticides and pesticides, solvents, and some industrial chemicals have been linked to an increased risk of cancer. Lead, mercury, and certain pesticides can also cause fertility problems, birth defects, neurological damage and respiratory issues.
Inhaling chemical fumes might even trigger allergic reactions or other health problems like kidney and liver damage. Always exercise caution when using chemicals and read the instructions thoroughly to avoid any possible risks.
As an alternative you can try a more natural and eco-friendly approach to controlling pests.
Reasons Why You Should Try Environmentally Friendly Options
Eco-friendly pest control methods offer many benefits for homwebers. These include:
- Protecting the environment by not contributing to pollution or habitat destruction
- Being safe for humans and pets, as they don’t contain harsh chemicals
- Providing long-lasting protection against pests
- Improving the overall health of plants and soil
- Being more cost-effective in the long run
- Being more sustainable, reducing environmental impact.
Try using eco-friendly pest control methods today!
1. Prevent Them From Getting In
To keep pests away in an eco-friendly way try the following. Inspect your home or garden for potential entry points and seal them up with caulk or weatherstripping. Remove sources of food and water by cleaning regularly and covering containers. Install screens over windows and doors, and door sweeps under doors to prevent unwanted visitors from getting in.
2. Traps
Traps are an effective way to control pests by luring or capturing them. Depending on the type of pest, traps can be baited with food or scents and placed in areas of activity. Some traps are designed to contain the pest, while others may kill it immediately. Traps are commonly used for rodents and insects, and can be used both indoors and outdoors.
3. Physical Barriers
Physical barriers are an effective way to keep pests out of your home. Screens can be installed over windows and doors. Door sweeps can be fitted to seal the gaps under doors. It is important to make sure that the screens and sweeps fit properly and are securely fitted in order to be effective in keeping out pests. Additionally, inspect your home or garden for potential entry points and seal them up with caulk or weatherstripping. Remove sources of food and water by cleaning regularly and covering containers, and choose the right trap for the pest you are trying to capture. Sticky traps for insects, humane traps for animals, and funnel traps for birds.
4. Natural Repellents
Repellents can be used to keep pests away from your home and garden in an eco-friendly way. Natural repellents, such as peppermint oil and citrus, can be mixed with water. You then apply to areas where pests have been observed or around the perimeter of your home or garden.
5. Biological Controls
Biological controls are methods of controlling pests through the use of natural predators or parasites. Some examples of biological controls include using ladybugs to control aphids. Introducing parasitic wasps to control destructive caterpillars or releasing bats for mosquito control.
Other strategies include introducing sterile insects to reduce pest populations and using microbial pesticides to target specific pests. Each type of biological control has its own advantages and disadvantages. So it is important to do research before deciding which method would work best for your particular situation.
6. Handpicking
Handpicking is an effective method to remove pests such as slugs and snails in small gardens. Simply search and remove the pests by hand, although this can be a time-consuming activity.
7. Neem Oil
Neem oil is a natural, organic solution for pest control. It can be used to repel certain pests away from plants, trees, or other areas that you do not want them to go.
Neem oil has anti-feeding and insecticidal effects when applied directly to the pests. Some examples of ways to use neem oil for pest control include spraying it on your garden plants to deter insects and other pests.
Mixing it with water and spraying it around gardens or homes where pests are present. Apply it directly onto the pests as an insecticide, and using it as a soil drench around tree roots or on vegetable plants before planting.
8. Diatomaceous earth
Diatomaceous earth is an effective, natural method for controlling pests. It works by absorbing the oils and waxes from the bodies of certain insects and other arthropods, which causes them to dehydrate and die.
Here are some examples of how to use diatomaceous earth for pest control: Sprinkle it around your gardens or home to keep ants away. Add it to your pet food storage containers to deter bugs.
Put a thin layer in areas where there are spiders. Sprinkle a bit around furniture legs, windowsills, and doorways. Scatter it in hard-to-reach areas such as cracks and crevices.
9. Boric Acid
Boric acid is a natural, organic pest control solution that can be used to kill a range of insects and arthropods. Here are some examples of how to use boric acid for pest control. Sprinkle it around entrances, windowsills, and doorways; put it in wall voids or other hard-to-reach areas.
Spread it around the perimeter of your home or garde. Mix it with water and spray it directly onto pests; add it to pet food containers to prevent bug infestations. Sprinkle a thin layer around furniture legs and other problem areas.
10. Insecticidal Soap
This natural soap that can be used to control soft-bodied insects such as aphids and mites. Insecticidal Soap is a type of soap made with potassium salts of fatty acids, which can be used to control certain types of pest infestations.
It works by breaking down the protective wax coating on certain insects and other arthropods, causing them to dehydrate and die. To use insecticidal soap, mix with water according to manufacturer’s instructions and then apply it to plants or areas where you have observed these pests.
11. Companion planting
Companion planting involves planting certain plants alongside each other in order to deter pests and attract beneficial insects. To take advantage of this method, do some research on which plants are known deterrents for specific pests and then plant them near the ones you want protected.
You can also plant flowers that attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings which will help in controlling pest populations naturally without risking harm to people or pets.
12. Beneficial nematodes
Beneficial nematodes are microscopic worms that can be used to control grubs, Japanese beetles, and other pests. To use beneficial nematodes, you can apply them to the soil according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
When you are ready to apply the beneficial nematodes, mix them with water according to the package directions. Then, pour this mixture around and on top of infested areas in your garden or lawn.
For best results, it is often recommended that they be applied in late summer or early fall when pests are still actively living. Additionally, make sure you provide enough moisture for the nematodes to stay alive during application and shortly following it.
Three New Bonus Methods!
13. Pheromone traps
Pheromone traps are another tool for pest control that uses the pheromones of pests in order to attract and trap them without using chemicals.
To use these traps, set them up according to the manufacturer’s instructions and place them in areas where you have observed pests. Check the traps regularly for caught pests and dispose of them as needed. Be aware of any potential safety precautions when using pheromone traps.
14. Hot Pepper Spray
Hot pepper spray is a natural way to repel pests such as rabbits and deer. To use it, mix hot pepper flakes or powder with water and apply it to plants or areas where you have observed pests. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and to be aware of any potential hazards or safety precautions when using this method.
15. Herbal remedies
Herbal remedies can also be used for pest control. Plant herbs near the plants that you want to protect. Or make a solution using crushed herbs and water and apply it to the plants or areas where you have observed pests.
Research the specific herbs that are effective at deterring the pests that you are trying to control. amake sure you follow any necessary safety precautions when using herbal remedies for pest control.
Conclusion
With the various eco-friendly pest control techniques available, there is no excuse for not taking action to protect your home and environment from pests.
Not only do these techniques provide effective and sustainable solutions for dealing with pest problems, but they are also economical and have minimal impact on the environment.
By making the switch to eco-friendly pest control methods, you can rest assured that you are doing your part to maintain a healthy and safe environment both now and in the future.
