Spring of 2020 seemed to have dragged on forever, but finally the hot summer weather is here! It’s time to open the windows and doors, turn on the sprinklers for the kids to run through, and sit back with a cold one. All of which are activities that can go from relaxing and inviting to uncomfortable and irritating in a flash when unwanted critters show up. We’re lucky in the Okanagan that we aren’t bothered too much with mosquitoes, however if you’re wondering when we got so many wasps, elder box beetles, and spiders, you’re not alone. Add to that the regular summer swarm of fruit flies, black flies, and ants and there are a lot of critters trying to make our homes their homes.
If you’re able to simply close the screen doors and lather yourself and your kids in insect repellant, then please continue – we applaud you! We also want to give you some natural options for preventing the onset of bugs from the get-go, and controlling the quantity once they’ve already showed up.
Below are a few tips to help keep your home pest-free in an Organic & Clean way, protecting your family and your pets from harsh chemical pesticides. Prevention is our number one tool against infestation, so we’re kicking it off with those.
1. Turn off all water sources
Most insects are attracted to water so be diligent about checking all faucets for leaks and make sure you turn off all outside taps and hoses. Don’t leave containers of standing water in your house or yard or the ants will come marching.
2. Cover garbage cans tightly
Keep your trash in tightly covered containers which are difficult to tip over. Unlike our kids, insects love leftovers so keep the temptation well-hidden. Also keep pet food in a covered container and pick up uneaten kibbles an hour after you’ve fed. Open dishes of dog or cat food are especially tasty for flies and wasps.
3. Trim trees and bushes
Keeping branches and twigs trimmed back from your home makes it harder for insects and rodents to find their way in. Don’t provide them with a roadway.
4. Seal off any entry points
Do a once-over of all exterior access points of your home. Make sure your windows and doors close properly and have adequate weather-proofing in place. Check around hose bibs to see if any critters are able to get in there, and double check any exterior penetrations such as venting for your appliances or fireplace. These are all likely areas where bugs may enter your home.
Once these pesky critters are there however, we have to find a way to make them leave…preferably without the use of harmful chemical insecticides. Luckily, many of our regular household items are effective in controlling these unwanted houseguests. Here are some of our favourites:
1. Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is the fossilized remains of aquatic organisms. It kills insects by absorbing the oils in their skeletons and dries them out. For ants, sprinkle it anywhere you see them. For wasps, sprinkle it around the area of their nest every few nights until they have left the area. Once they’ve left the nesting area, seal the opening if you can (if it’s in a fence or wall) and then spray with peppermint water to continue repelling the wasps. Cinnamon or talc also works as a wasp repellant.
DE is perfectly safe and effective (unless you’re a bug), however you should be careful not to inhale it as it can be an irritant. You can find this at your local hardware store.
2. Bait Them:
Roaches and ants will fall for the bait every time! And since they like to groom themselves, they will eat the bait and take it back to their dens. A great, non-toxic bait recipe:
· 2 Tbsp Agave Nectar
2 Tbsp Arm and Hammer detergent
Place in areas you’ve seen activity. You can substitute Boric Acid for the A and H detergent, however if you do, only place in areas kids and pets can’t access.
3. Spider Control:
Spiders are not attracted to and don’t eat the types of baits which can be harmful to them so they’re more of a challenge to control – they require more of a ‘Contact Kill’. They eat other insects so effectively controlling the others will remove their food source. Since they’re essentially loners, spider control could include hitting them with a shoe or a newspaper as you see them rather than trying to control them through other ways. Treat any cracks and crevices with your insecticide of choice to keep a spider’s dinner outside your home.
We hope this helps you keep your entertaining space enjoyable and inviting. We’d love to hear what you use to deter critters from entering your home or hanging out on your deck! Share in the comments below.