How to Get Rid of Insects

We all want to keep our houses pest-free, but the chemical pesticides in stores are way too toxic and harmful for using anywhere near your home, family, and pets. If these chemicals can kill insects, surely they cannot be good for us and it’s better to use something natural and safe when it’s possible.

Sure, insects can appear to have otherworldly abilities — mosquitos can fly, cockroaches can supposedly survive the apocalypse — but they can’t materialize out of nowhere. Your best defense: Look for warning signs and problem areas to stop them from invading your space

Bright Side wants to show you these simple, easy, safe and effective tricks to get rid of household insects.

For instance, ants send out “scouts” to scope the ant-friendliness of your home, so even an ant or two indoors can mean it’s time to get pest-proofing before those scouts invite over their friends.

Check outside and learn where bugs hang out. Firewood can be home to ants and termites so store wood at least 20 feet from your house. And standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitos, says Boyd Huneycutt, co-founder of pest control company Mosquito Squad.

“Yards with bird baths, play sets with tire swings, tree houses, fire pits and catch basins to recycle water should all be checked regularly and water tipped,” he suggests. Even your landscaping can be problematic: Try keeping branches and shrubs well groomed away from your walls, so bugs don’t make the natural transition from their home to yours.

Unless your house came equipped with a bug breeding room, all insects invaders were once living outside. Your job is to keep them there.

Part of what gives bugs a bum rap is that they gravitate toward messes. Keeping your home clean is the best way to keep pests away, especially the kitchen where crumbs and other potential treats lurk.

Vacuum regularly (once a week is suggested). And on days you don’t feel like tossing the trash, make sure your bins are covered or even sealed.

In the old days, you would have just grabbed the can of Raid, but now we’re all about natural prevention. Luckily, you have plenty of options. Ants in particular hate certain smells. Try cleaning your cupboards with vinegar: Not only does it disinfect, but ants can’t stand it.

How about a easy-to-make bug spray to prevent ants from invading your home? Simple soapy water both kills ants and wipes away their chemical trail to prevent future intruders.

Another pesticide-free trick for repelling ants: Leave fresh cucumber peels in high ant-traffic areas. “I don’t know exactly why it works, but I never had sugar ants, unlike everyone else in Florida,” says reader, Nancy D.

And if you really have a mean streak, you can even bait ants to kill them. WikiHow has a couple simple methods to trick them into your traps.