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Get rid of unwanted guests without putting your family’s health at risk.

The hot summer weather in San Diego always brings ants to our home…. Ugh!  When the creepies come crawling, it’s tempting to reach for a can of highly toxic fumes to spray them away. Before you go on a spraying frenzy, put down the can of poison. Using these chemicals to get rid of pests can be bad for your health, the environment, and your home!

Pesticides are hazardous to humans – they can trigger everything from nausea, vomiting, and headaches to more serious health concerns. There are plenty of natural and non-toxic solutions around that you can use to get rid of pests.  

Stay tidy – If you don’t want pests in your home, start by eliminating the very things that attract them. Keep food tucked away in closed containers, clean up crumbs, and empty your trash bins frequently. Clean every week to keep dust and dirt at bay.  

Deter ants – Mix up 1/3 cup of borax, 1/3 cup sugar, and 1 cup of water in a jar. This mixture is a nontoxic ant trap that attracts ants. To get rid of their course, sprinkle borax along their pathways, where they’ll pick up and share it with the rest of their colony.

Lure fruit flies with vinegar – Fill a small jar with apple cider vinegar, strap some plastic wrapping over the opening, poke a few holes in it, and wait to catch flies.  Although I don’t love having the cup of vinegar on my kitchen counter, I will testify that this technique is effective!

Catch Cockroaches – Cockroaches are attracted to moisture, so fixing leaking taps should be a priority. Lure them in with a saucer of beer then dispose of them immediately.  Lure cockroaches in beer?  Um, GROSS!  Thankfully I haven’t had to test this technique.

Get garlic out for garden bugs – Peel and mash one head of garlic and then place it in a jar. Cover it with boiling water and allow it to sit overnight. Strain the mixture, emptying the liquid into a spray bottle to spray over your garden flowers and vegetables to get rid of any bugs.

Mix a natural bug spray – Make a spray that is safe for kids and adults: ¼ teaspoon of salt, 5 drops of lemongrass essential oil, mixed in a spray bottle. Allow the mixture to sit until the oils soak into the salt.  You’ll love the scent too!

Bugs and critters can be a big turn off when selling your home. For a successful home sale, and all of your realty needs, contact Jenn Blake Real Estate Group at Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty in San Diego, California at 858-663-6788.