Three of the most common pests synonymous with warm weather are slugs, roaches, and ants. As home owners and apartment residents brace for another season of bug warfare, many are turning to green-living bug-killing methods to control the crawling population. Some natural insecticides can be made right in the kitchen and are highly recommended by professional gardeners and home specialists.
Other common products such as those mentioned below can ward off aggravating pests without causing danger to home occupants. Whether one is using a homemade pesticide recipe containing ingredients such as chili peppers or vinegar, or using natural Earth elements such as boric acid or chalk, caution should be taken where children and pets are concerned.
Ant Killers that Work
Keep ants out of the house with chalk. As strange as it may sound, ants don't like calcium carbonate, the main component of most chalk. Calcium carbonate is a form of limestone, a natural Earth element. Simply draw a line around a window if that's where the ants are entering the home. Make sure the chalk purchased contains calcium carbonate, as some school chalks are made with other ingredients.
To stop an ant trail, sprinkle baby powder on the trail and the ants will die. Sweep the powdered ants away. Strong-scented soaps can deter ants that enter through cracks outside the home. Press the soap into the cracks; it acts as a temporary sealant and the odor confuses the insects.
How to Kill Roaches and Keep Them from Coming Back
Boric acid is a white powdery substance and is probably the oldest and most effective way to kill and eliminate roaches in the home. Sprinkle around pipes under the sink or purchase in tablets or as bait traps. Place boric acid in the back corners of kitchen cabinets, apply to crevices in baseboards, or use most any place else roaches congregate.
Boric Acid is mined from the Mojave Desert in California and is an age-old natural way to eliminate roaches, ants, silverfish, and termites. According to the online site, Safety Source for Pest Management, the article, "Boric Acid/Borates/Borax" explains how boric acid works: "Insects travel through the boric acid, which adheres to their legs. When the insects groom themselves, they then ingest the poison, which causes death three to ten days later of starvation and dehydration."
As for the toxicity of boric acid, the substance should be kept out of the reach of children and pets to avoid ingestion as well as to avoid the risk of eye and/or skin irritation. Boric acid lasts for many months as long as it does not get wet. It takes about two weeks to clear out a roach-infested home.
How to Control Garden Slugs
Slugs are garden pests that look like snails with no shell. The creatures live in damp dark places, such as under decaying leaves or decks, and they feed on garden plants. Slugs leave a slimy trail that's easy to spot, not to mention the visible evidence of damage done to plants. There is no way to completely rid a garden or yard of slugs, but there are ways to control slugs and snails without using pesticides.
One of the most popular and natural ways to stop slugs is by using stale beer. Pour the beer into small shallow containers (a saucer or mayonnaise jar lid works well) and plant the "bait" in several places in the garden. Leave overnight for the slugs to find. Slugs are attracted to beer and will drown in the liquid.
Another effective method for killing slugs that show up on the front doorstep or patio after a rain is table salt. Salt burns the slugs and they die. If cleaning up after the kill seems too disgusting, then try spreading eggshells and cedar chips around garden or patio perimeters; the sharp edges are a slug deterrent. Ducks and chickens eat slugs, providing yet another option.
Controlling slugs, killing ants, and eliminating roaches can be frustrating, but as consumers are urged to use environmentally safe measures, the battle seems even tougher. Many bug killers can be made in the kitchen, using common cooking ingredients. Numerous online Web sites and garden magazines provide recipes tested by professionals such as Master Gardener, Jerry Baker.
Rid the home and yard of pests in any season by following safe extermination methods. Traditional time-tested products used for combating common house and garden pests are often much cheaper and safer than commercial pesticides. Caution should always be taken, especially around pets and children, when using any household product for purposes other than which it was intended. If there is any doubt about a home remedy's safety or effectiveness, then consult a professional or reliable source for advice on eliminating household and garden pests.
Mary King - Mary King is a Suite101 Topic Editor for the Caregiver Support and Home Management sections. She has authored 5 teen-based novels.
Join the Conversation