Natural Solutions Can Thwart Health Risks Of Home Pests

When you think of household pests, what comes to mind? If you’re like most people, your first thought is likely how irritating or even frightening they are. What many people don’t realize is just how hazardous common bugs are. Bluebottle flies, for example, carry everything from salmonella to tuberculosis and often turn up in homes if a small animal dies in your attic or simply because your gutters are blocked up. Then there are kissing bugs, which are typically found in tropical climates; they carry Chagas disease, a potentially very dangerous parasite.

Given all these potential dangers, it’s important to keep bugs out of your home and to eradicate them if they do make their way in, but you have to do so carefully. Many pesticides are dangerous to humans and pets and are steadily destroying the environment. Shifting to natural methods can be equally effective, without all the added dangers.

Heat Things Up

Like bacteria, most insects can’t survive very high temperatures, and luckily you don’t have to push your home past the boiling point to kill them. Many exterminators use moderate heat treatments to safely kill bugs without introducing toxic chemicals into the home. This is one of the best extermination approaches for families with young children or pets who are especially vulnerable to pesticides.

No Open Doors

Sometimes the primary reason homes have pest problems is the simple failure to perform preventative maintenance, thereby making your home a welcome retreat. Pruning shrubs and other vegetation near your home can help keep bugs from making the leap inside, as can properly clearing the gutters and sealing up any torn screens. You should also avoid stacking firewood near the foundation of your home, as bugs tend to congregate in the stacks. While you work, apply a natural bug spray made with essential oils. This will repel those bugs lingering near your entryways.

Catching Flies With Vinegar

The popular wisdom says that you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar but unless you want more bugs in your home, don’t leave the sweet stuff out. However, if you’ve got a problem with gnats, putting out some apple cider vinegar mixed with dish soap is a good way to get rid of them. Apple cider vinegar is just sweet enough to attract the tiny bugs, who will dive in for a sip, only to get trapped by the dish soap. Plus, since gnats are so small, you can put the solution in a narrow-mouthed jar or decanter so your pets don’t try to lap it up.

Keeping bugs out of your home is important to overall health and well-being, not just for the pathogens that bugs can spread, but because of secondary problems like infected bites and the negative impact on mental health bed bugs and other pests can cause when they linger. When they stick around too long, people can become anxious, irritable, and even depressed. By employing natural prevention and extermination strategies, though, you can keep your family healthy and happy – no toxic chemicals needed.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes.