Jul 25th

Green Pest Control

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Summer is one of the best times of the year but it usually brings out the bugs. Here are some green solutions to combat pests without harming your health:

Ants
Supplies: ¼ cup confectioners sugar + 1 tablespoon Borax OR Peppermint essential oil or citronella essential oil
Instructions: Sprinkle in kitchen and bathrooms, but away from kids and pets / use a few drops of the essential oils on doorways, windowsills and kitchen sink

Flies
Supplies: Handful of cloves + handful eucalyptus + clover blossom
Instructions: Tie in a sachet and hang from the ceiling

Blackflies
Supplies: Cinnamon oil or turmeric oil
Instructions:  Spray or dab on clothing and exposed skin.

Bedbugs
Supplies: 1 teaspoon peppermint oil + 1 teaspoon rosemary oil + 2 cups water
Instructions: Spray on mattress and floor surrounding bedding

Mosquitoes
Supplies: Catnip oil or thyme oil
Instructions:  Spray or dab on clothing and exposed skin.

Mice
Supplies: 1 teaspoon peppermint castile soap + ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper + 8 cups water Instructions: Spray mixture along baseboards

Roaches
Supplies: 2 teaspoons tea tree oil + 2 cups water OR Citrus oil, especially kaffir lime oil
Instructions: Spray in kitchens and bathrooms

Ticks
Supplies: Lemon-eucalyptus oil
Instructions: Spray or dab on clothing and exposed skin.

For more on controlling pests naturally:
1. Better Basics for the Home by Annie Bond
2. Wholeliving.com: Bug Off Naturally

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