8. Use Natural Repellents Looking for natural alternatives to help keep your kitchen and pantry pest-free? There are several natural repellents you can use including bay leaves, cloves, cedar blocks, and cotton balls saturated in peppermint oil. (Mice hate the smell of this essential oil.) If you have pantry moths, make a sachet filled with bay leaves, cedar chips, lavender, or rosemary and place it in your pantry to ward off pests.
If you have flies in the house that you can’t get rid of, you can try making these DIY fly strips:
• Cut craft paper into strips • Let the strips sit in a mixture of a quarter cup of honey or maple syrup along with one tablespoon of white granulated sugar and another tablespoon of brown sugar. • Leave the paper strips to dry overnight. • The next morning, hang the strips of paper from the ceiling. The flies, attracted by the honey or syrup, will stick to the paper strips. Another natural option is diatomaceous earth powder. This is a non-toxic, low-cost, and easy-to- use alternative that has proven effective against all sorts of household pests. It comes in powder form and is derived from hard- shelled algae that grow in the dark ocean waters and give off a glow. This type of algae is known as diatoms and when it dries out, it has the feel of sand when touched by humans. However, when insects come into contact with this powder, it is akin to touching razor blades; it kills the insects within hours. To use diatomaceous earth, simply sprinkle it over areas where you witness heavy insect activity.
Remember, as with most things in life, pest control is all about prevention!
15
March 2025
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