How to Naturally Rid Your Home and Garden of Pests

Pest in your home and garden can be a pain, especially when trying to get rid of them.  With kids and pets around, you may not want to use the commercially available chemicals when trying to rid your home and garden of pests.  Natural methods are safe, effective and good for the environment.

• Place an open glass jar or bucket full of beer in your garden to get rid of slugs.  These pests are attracted to the beer, and will climb in and drown when they cannot get out.


• Get rid of snails either in your home or your garden by placing damp boards together to give the snails a place to hide.  Then, take the boards away from your home or garden and either scrap them in the trash or deposit them far away.


• Boil some water and add grated lemon rind to get rid of aphids from your garden.  Let the water and rind mix sit overnight then strain the pieces of rind from the water.  Put the mixture into a spray bottle and spray the underside of leaves, where aphids live.  Repeat every four or five days until aphids disappear.


• Determine where ant mounds are around your yard and pour some of the mixture made in the above step to get rid of ants. 


• Mix powdered peppermint, cayenne pepper, paprika and if desired, borax, to make a natural ant killer for use around your home and garden.  Place the mixture in places where ants have been seen and they will get it on their bodies when they cross.


• Purchase stink bug traps to rid your home or garden of stink bugs.  These pests are highly attracted to the color yellow; traps designed for stink bugs are usually this color and have a sticky substance that traps the bugs.  You can also kill stink bugs on site by spraying or pouring soapy water on these pests.