Natural Home Remedies for Insect and Pest Control

Summertime is just about the perfect season, that is if you discount the number of insects and pests that appear in and around your home and garden. You may want to think twice before you reach for the can of insecticide this year. After all, there are many green alternatives for pest control, including natural home remedies.

What can you do to make a dent in these pesky summertime visitors? Check out these great natural home remedies for insect and pest control. Sure to make the summer months outdoors a little more green, bearable and pest-free.

Natural Bug Spray. Combine 1 tablespoon of baby shampoo or mild dishwashing detergent with 1 tablespoon of cooking oil with 1 quart of water. Mix well. Put into a spray bottle. Spray every 5 to 7 days, as needed, and be sure to water the plants before you spray. Do not use on orchids, plants with wax coverings, or those with furry leaves.

Eco-Friendly, Plant Fungus Control Spray. Combine 1 tablespoon of baby shampoo or mild dishwashing detergent with 1 tablespoon of cooking oil, 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 quart of water. Mix well. Put into a spray bottle. At the first indication of fungus or disease, spray solution on both sides of the leaves. Be sure to water the plants before you spray. Repeat spray every 5 to 7 days, as needed. Do not use on orchids, plants with wax coverings, or those with furry leaves.

Natural Insect Repellent for Garden Vegetables. Combine 1 tablespoon of liquid hand soap with ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder, onion powder, and garlic powder. Pour into a spray bottle and fill with water. Spray on infected plants, as needed.

Organic Ant Control. Combine 1/8 teaspoon of Boric Acid (powder) and ½ teaspoon honey (sugar ants) or fish oil (grease ants). Place mixture in a soda bottle cap or similar kind of container. Place caps strategically where ant trails are discovered. Keep away from kids and pets, and discard after using.

Green Living Flea/Tick Control for Pets. Combine ½ cup fresh or dried rosemary with 1 quart of boiling water. Bring to a boil on the stove, then turn down the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Allow mixture to cool. Wash and dry your pet. Apply solution with a spray bottle or sponge, and air dry.

Eco-Friendly Weed and Unwanted Grass Killer. Apply white vinegar directly to garden weeds and unwanted grass. Or, dilute the solution to 25% white vinegar and 75% water. Pour solution into a spray bottle and apply to garden weeds and unwanted grass as needed. Be careful not to spray solution on plants and shrubs. Be patient. It may take a few days before weeds and unwanted grass respond to the solution, and several weeks to work on weeds and grass.

RESOURCES

Natural Born Pest Killers
Home Remedies For Pest Control
By Eric Vinje, Planet Natural

12 Homemade Natural Remedies for the Garden
Veggie Gardener

Mother Earth News
www.motherearthnews.com

Top 5 Books on Organic Lawn Care
By M.G. Hardiman for Associated Content / Published 7/23/2009