Nashville, Murfreesboro, Knoxville and Chattanooga TN
Maintaining a pest-free home is paramount for a comfortable and healthy living environment. Unwanted pests can quickly disrupt the peace and tranquility of your space, while also posing health risks and causing discomfort. We believe there is no substitute for professional pest control in Nashville. However, we also know homeowners may try to treat pest problems on their own, or before one of our technicians arrives. Today on the blog, we explore the effectiveness of 10 home remedies for mild pest infestations.
Remedy 1: Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds repel bugs with a strong sense of smell. Place leftover coffee grounds in areas outside your home where pests might be infiltrating. The smell is repulsive to many creatures, effectively steering them clear of your premises.
Remedy 2: Banana Peels
Is your garden under attack by aphids? A simple banana peel can come to the rescue. Position a banana peel beneath the soil near the plant stems. Keep in mind, if you don’t bury your banana peels deeply enough, you’re going to attract other bugs, as well as rodents.
Remedy 3: Apple Cider Vinegar
Are those pesky fruit flies infiltrating your kitchen? Apple cider vinegar is your ally. Place a small bowl with a splash of apple cider vinegar and cover it with plastic wrap. Puncture a couple of small holes in the wrap. Fruit flies are drawn to the vinegar, but find themselves trapped upon entry. The smell of apple cider vinegar also can repel mosquitoes, flies, spider mites and even rodents. However, apple cider vinegar will not work long term and requires frequent reapplication.
Remedy 4: Cornmeal
One old home remedy for ants is to scatter small piles of cornmeal, on the premise that ants are attracted to the cornmeal but cannot digest it, leading to their demise over time. We hate to break it to you, but ants will consume cornmeal just like they can other food and the piles of crumbs will only worsen an ant infestation. You can, however, use cornmeal as a method of ant bait or mix it with boric acid to kill ants. Just make sure if you do the latter that your mixture is kept away from children and pets.
Remedy 5: White Vinegar
Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water and then spray your garden or any nests you may find. Ants, mosquitoes and spiders are among the pests repelled by white vinegar. However, it may attract fruit flies and aphids. Also, like apple cider vinegar, frequent re-application is required.
Remedy 6: Essential Oils
No matter your pest problem, there’s probably an essential oil touted to help. Eucalyptus and tea tree oil are a remedy for roaches. Peppermint repels ants, spiders, fleas, flies and mosquitoes. Spearmint is also versatile. Lavender and lemongrass are known to deter fleas. These substances work but you have to make sure you mix and apply them correctly.
Remedy 7: Basil
Sweet basil not only enhances culinary delights, but also wards off flies. Placing a pot of sweet basil in a sunny spot near frequently used doors can deter flies from entering.
Remedy 8: Onion
An age-old trick holds true: onions can keep spiders at bay. Slicing onions and placing them in a bowl of water near entry points discourages spiders from venturing into your home. However, leaving any organic material out could lure other unwanted pests.
Remedy 9: Cloves
Place bags of cloves or sprinkle clove oil in heavily infested areas. The strong scent of cloves repels ladybugs, fruit flies and aphids, prompting them to vacate the area.
There’s no substitute for professional pest control
As you can see some natural pest remedies work better than others. However, the most effective means of prevention of a pest infestation is regular treatments from a trusted and experienced pest control company in Nashville. At Ameri Care Services, we offer environmentally friendly treatments that are safe to use around people and pests. Our skilled professionals are equipped to assess and address various pest problems, providing you with tailored solutions that ensure a comfortable and safe living environment for you and your loved ones. Give us a call at (615) 893-7111 or visit us online to request service today.
Ameri Care Services proudly serves the Nashville and Murfreesboro communities in Tennessee.