Natural Pest Control

It doesn't seem to matter what time of year it is, we all need to have a system that works to help keep the creepy crawlies out of our cupboards, our bed and our homes etc. When I'm in the garden I love to watch the insects at work.I marvel at their ingenuity, the way they all seem to know exactly what they are doing, the beauty of watching something fulfilling its purpose,...but I really hate seeing them in my linen cupboard!

So what can you do when Spring has sprung and all about the house little creatures are looking for a new residence, or if you're unpacking the blankets from the cupboard in Autumn only to find that somethings have been nesting during the warmer months? Commercial insecticides are a danger to your health, and carry warnings on them that make one shudder. Natural alternatives are easy to come by, easy to make, and safer to apply. Here's just a few...

1. Antibacterial Spray
This is for when you've found a little nest of bitey things, or just doing some spring cleaning. Mix 5 drops of Thyme or Oregano essential oil with 500ml of filtered water. Put it into a fine mist spray bottle and spray around the area affected. Wipe away any solid mess or dead little things. No need to rinse. The residue is not toxic and will inhibit the potential for this space to be desirable for any little crawlies. If it is an area where someone has been ill, the natural antibacterial and antiviral qualities of these oils are better than ANY commercially available disinfectant. Use this spray as an everyday wipe for your doorhandles, toilet seat, vanity basin, sink and counter tops (do a spot test first to make sure the countertop you have isn't going to be damaged in any way by oils).

2. Repellent
When you have cleaned your cupboards, got them sorted out and ready to re-pack, the last thing you want to worry about it something chewing on them for Spring and Summer. Mix 10 drops of Clove or Tea Tree Oil with 500ml of filtered water. You can either spray this on or wipe it over the surfaces of your cupboards (top, sides and bottom) to prevent insects from wanting to be anywhere near your blankets and linens. Works well with jumpers and jackets too...just be mindful of what you spray it on especially if it is a delicate fabric or leather...it may mark. This can also be used to spray mattresses that have been infested with bed bugs or developed mould. Spray on and leave for about 15 minutes. Come back and scrape off dead bugs, larvae, and egg sacs. Spray again leave to dry under a fan or in the sunlight.

3. Cupboard Keepers
If you want to keep a insect free home without the fuss of sprays and potions, try some muslin or organza bags filled with dried herbs that repel insects. Choose from one or a mixture of:
Lavender
Pennyroyal
Cloves
Thyme
Oregano
Basil
or Cedarwood, and Camphor Laurel shavings
Most of the herbs could be homegrown and harvested, dried in a few weeks and used. This will enable you to 'top up' or 're-do' the bags as needed. Usually one bag is good for a whole season...that's three months for very little outlay, and, they smell pretty damn fabulous too! Hang a bag in your wardrobe, linen cupboard, pantry or storage room.

4. Surface Spray
A natural alternative to surface sprays that won't have you gagging or developing a headache. It can last for anywhere from a few weeks to a few months depending on the season. Mix 5ml each of Lemon, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Peppermint and Cedarwood essential oils into a small dark glass bottle. Shake it well and add a capful to 250ml of filtered water. Spray around windows, doors and kickboards. Anywhere that you have in the past seen insects using as corridors into your home...
This 25ml mixture gives about 5 applications, which works out as an economical alternative to buying insecticides, ... and having a few days of illness from applying them...

While I've only listed a handful of useful and effective alternatives to pest control, you can find loads of them once you begin asking. And, if you begin asking why anyone wouldn't just use the commercial insecticides anyway, well, that opens up a whole new area of realisation... usually connected to why you feel so bad, or get sick so often. It has been documented that many symptoms linked to common illnesses can actually be caused by household pesticides and cleaners.

Do yourself, your family, your home and the environment a favour and repel the bugs from your home naturally. If you'd like some help making your house clean and healthy, please visit my website and inquire about a 'Home Chi' assessement. This can be a powerful tool to get help, information and organisation for you, and your home.