The Best 20 Natural Pest Control Methods [With Infographic]
Organic Pest Control Techniques That Won’t Harm The Environment
Pest control can feel like an uphill battle.
But you don’t have to use harmful chemicals or traps to get the job done.
Natural methods rely on nature’s powers, and they’re effective, safe and eco-friendly!
These natural remedies are cheaper, safer, and can be really effective.
As long as you do it right. It offers a safer choice that won’t hurt the planet either.
Let’s discover how easy it is to put nature in charge of your own pest-control plan!
With natural strategies like introducing helpful predators or simply making a few simple recipes using ingredients you have at home. Y
ou’ll soon be on the way to a happy, pest-free household. So let’s get started!
The Best Methods To Use – The Way Nature Intended
1. Chrysanthemum Flowers
Chrysanthemums, or “mum plants”, are great at warding off pests. That’s because they contain a natural compound called pyrethrum, which is toxic to insects. When the flower heads are crushed, the pyrethrum is released. This is absorbed through a pest’s exoskeleton, resulting in paralysis and death.
This makes chrysanthemums an ideal choice for homeowners. Simply plant them around your home for reliable bug-repelling coverage. Meanwhile, you can rest easy knowing that the solution is non-toxic and eco-friendly!
How to use?
Mix chrysanthemum flower powder with water and use as a natural insecticide. It works effectively against aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites due to its natural insecticidal properties.
2. Cedar
Cedar is a great remedy. Its aromatic oil thujaplicin repels many bugs. From ants, roaches, moths, fleas and more. It can be burned to produce smoke that repels flying insects like gnats and mosquitoes. Or use cedar in the form of essential oil for maximum bug removing power!
How to use?
Use cedar chips or cedar oil to repel moths, fleas, and ants. The strong scent of cedar acts as a natural deterrent and keeps these critters away.
3. Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is a sedimentary rock. It’s been used for centuries as a non-toxic remedy.
The powder is made up of tiny fossilized diatom remains. They act like razor sharp blades that puncture the exoskeleton of insects. It’s very effective for roaches and fleas, and others. Causing dehydration and death. DE is an effective way to say goodbye to pesky bugs for good.
How to use?
Sprinkle food grade diatomaceous earth around your home and garden to control ants, fleas, and bed bugs. It works by physically damaging the exoskeleton of insects, leading to dehydration and eventual death.
4. Cider Vinegar
Cidar vinegar disrupts the insects’ sense of smell. The strong acidic smell of cider vinegar is enough to drive them away and not come back.
Cider vinegar helps keep bugs away. Mix equal parts water and cider vinegar in a spray bottle. Then apply regularly around areas that may be infested. Additionally, it can be used as a natural repellent when combined with other ingredients such as lemon juice or garlic. Just mix them together and spray the mixture over spots where critters have been seen.
How to use?
Create a mixture of cider vinegar and water to combat fruit flies, gnats, and ants. The strong scent of vinegar attracts them, and once they make contact, it disrupts their nervous systems.
5. Beer
Beer is an inexpensive and efficient way to control infestations. Slugs, snails and fruit flies are attracted to the sweet smell and taste of beer. Plus, the alcohol in it helps drown them when they make contact with it.
How to use?
Use beer traps to lure and trap them. They are attracted to the yeast and sugar contents in beer, and when they crawl in, they drown.
Just pour some into shallow dishes or saucers and put them near places where you usually spot critters. This could be your garden, deck, patio or anywhere inside your home. The insects will be drawn to it and when they touch the liquid, its high alcohol content will effectively get rid of them!
6. Mint
Mint is an effective pest repellent. Its intense odor discourages bugs from entering and staying in the area where it’s been applied. Plus, its essential oils have been shown to be effective against a variety of critters including ants, fleas, moths, ticks and more! Not only does mint’s strong scent drive them away but it also masks any odors linked to them.
How to use?
Plant mint or use mint oil to get rid of like ants, mosquitoes, and mice. The strong smell of mint is effective in acting as a natural deterent.
7. Catnip
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a minty herb that has been used for centuries to repel bugs. Its odor irritates some insects and animals, so they avoid areas where it’s been spread. Catnip contains nepetalactone, an essential oil that acts as a repellent against fleas, flies, moths and ticks. This pungent scent drives them away.
How to use?
Catnip can be used for mosquitoes and cockroaches too. The active ingredient in catnip, called nepetalactone, acts as a natural repellent for these insects.
8. Soap
Soap is a useful not just for cleaning our bodies. It creates a barrier around the treated area, which drives away ants, moths and fleas. Soap’s surfactants (compounds reducing surface tension) make it hard for insects to cross the treated surfaces.
How to use?
Use a solution of mild soap and a cup of water to control aphids and mites. The solution suffocates and dehydrates these insects, effectively eliminating them.
9. Cornmeal
Cornmeal can knock down a range of creepy crawlies. It makes a physical barrier, so insects can’t pass the treated area. Also, it sucks moisture from bugs’ bodies and dehydrates them, leading to their death.
How to use?
Sprinkle cornmeal in areas where you have ant problems. When ants consume it, they are unable to digest it, leading to their eventual demise.
10. Garlic
Garlic is an organic bug repellent. Its sulfur-based components are toxic to insects – they break through the cell membrane and cause death. It’s famous for its smell and taste.
How to use?
Crushed garlic cloves or garlic spray can be used to repel insects like mosquitoes, aphids, and garden pests. The strong odor and sulfur content act as a natural deterrent.
11. Cayenne Pepper
Capsaicin, an active component in hot peppers is hated by insects. It causes irritation and pain when ingested and its spicy flavor is unpalatable to most critters, making it incredibly effective.
12. Neem Oil
Neem oil, derived from neem tree seeds, is also a good bug repellent. Its active compounds azadirachtin and nimbin interfere with hormones of various insects.
How to use?
Neem oil is effective against a wide range of bugs, including aphids, mites, and mealybugs. It disrupts their feeding and reproductive systems, leading to their elimination.
13. Cloves
Clove buds and essential oil contain eugenol and caryophyllene, active compounds that disrupt pests’ hormones. Effective vs. a
How to use?
Use cloves or clove oil to fight against aphids, moths, ants, fleas and other small critters. The strong scent acts as a natural repellent for these insects.
14. Cucumber
The strong fragrance of cucumbers is off-putting to silverfish, whiteflies, aphids, squash bugs, cucumber beetles and mites.
The scent works by masking the plants’ natural smells that attracts these insects in the first place. By disturbing their sense of smell and taste, cucumber masks also deter eggs from being laid on plants. Since these pests rely heavily on scents to find food sources or suitable areas to lay eggs in, it makes perfect sense that this method can be so effective!
How to use?
Placing cucumber slices or peels in areas where these bugs are. The bitter taste and strong scent discourage them from entering.
15. Citronella
Citronella (or “lemon grass”) comes from the Cymbopogon family, which includes some common herbs such as lemongrass and palmarosa grass.
The essential oil extracted from citronella is highly effective against pesky insects.
Studies conducted in many parts of the world have found that citronella is effective in repelling mosquitoes, flies, fleas and ticks.
How to use?
Burn citronella candles or use citronella oil around the house. The strong and distinct smell of citronella masks the human scent, making it harder for mosquitoes to locate and bite.
16. Sweet Basil
Sweet basil offers several natural elements that serve as repellent to some garden pests.
Its scent has essential oils like linalool, citronellol, eugenol, and limonene which disguises the smell of food sources which is bothersome to many insects and bugs.
Plus, sweet basil contains high levels of calcium oxalate crystals. A compound which can either cause physical harm or make it unappealing for slugs and snails when they eat it.
How to use?
Plant sweet basil in your garden. The strong aroma and natural oils of basil act as effective deterrents.
17. Cinnamon
The cinnamon tree contains oil with active compounds called cinnamaldehyde and eugenol.
This powerful spice can protect your home and garden from unwanted pests.
How to use?
Sprinkle cinnamon powder around entries and windowsills to repel mosquitoes, ants, flies and beetles.
The smell disrupts their pheromone trails, making it harder for them to communicate and navigate.
18. Lavender
Lavender is a natural, safe and effective solution to get rid of these little creepy crawlies.
How to use?
Plant lavender bushes or use lavender oil. The pleasant fragrance might be nice to humans.
But the oil components and volatile molecules act as deterrents against aphids, fleas, moths and mosquitoes.
Lavender can be used throughout the garden. Creating sprays with essential oils or filling sachets for use around the home.
19. Citrus Oil
Citrus oil is derived from citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and limes. It is extracted by cold pressing the fruit’s rind or peel. This process produces the essential oils that are rich in a variety of volatile compounds, including limonene, pinene, citral, linalool and terpenes. The most beneficial component of this oil is the limonene found within it. Studies have shown that this compound is highly effective at killing both adult insects and their larvae.
How to use?
Use citrus oil, derived from lemons or oranges, to repel ants, spiders, and fleas. The strong citrus scent disruptstheir senses and drives them away.
20. Boric Acid
Boric acid works by drying out the protective coating on the exoskeleton of insects.
They become dehydrated and die.
It also interferes with their digestive systems leading to their demise.
As they die their bodies become brittle and the acid remains on their body surfaces, providing long lasting protection against future infestations.
Because it has both contact and ingested toxicity.
It works quickly against all life stages including eggs, larvae and adults.
How to use?
Use borax against cockroaches, ants, and silverfish.
Use caution and follow instructions carefully when handling as it can be toxic to humans and pets.
FAQ
Can I use coffee as a natural remedy?
Yes. Coffee contains acids and minerals that act as an irritant and is toxic to man insects and bugs. They are an effective way to deter slugs, snails, mosquitoes and even ants.
Simply sprinkle the grounds around the perimeter of your garden or in areas where you have them active. You can also make a spray by mixing coffee grounds with water and spraying it directly onto surfaces indoors or outdoors.
How does eucalyptus oil work?
Eucalyptus oil contains a compound called cineole which acts as an irritant for them. When insects come into contact with this substance it causes discomfort.
Making them want to flee from the area rather than stay and reproduce.
Summing Up
With natural ways to protect your home, you can take back your control for good!
You can avoid harsh chemicals and the mess of traps and enjoy a naturally healthy environment.
Keep in mind that each method is different and some may work better than others, so it’s important to find one that works best for you.
With a little research and care, you can create a healthy atmosphere where pests don’t stand a chance!
If you are still stuck with infestations that are hard to handle, call a professional like Pro Pest Control Sydney who helps local homeowners and business stay pest-free all year round.
Hi Adam, this is a great post and infographic on natural pest control. We love that you are promoting eco friendly pest treatments. It’s amazing how many natural products found around the home can eliminate pests. Things like mint, soap, garlic and cayenne pepper are very effective methods. Readers can also find other environmentally friendly pest control options from https://www.ecopestcontrolbrisbane.com.au/top-20-natural-pest-control-techniques/ we also plant trees for customer to minimise the carbon footprint from pesticides. Thanks again for the information, look forward to seeing you soon, regards, Edward.