Poor Man
Survival
Self
Reliance tools for independent minded people…
-- Albert Camus
With Spring coming to some parts of the nation, I thought this would be timely!
DIY Indoor Pest Control
While
there are different approaches that can be taken depending on the pest invading
your home, diatomite (or diatomacious earth) can be used a general insecticide.
Diatomaceous earth consists of fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of
hard-shelled algae. It is a naturally occurring, soft, siliceous sedimentary
rock that crumbles easily. Due to it's tiny size, it can absorb fats from the
waxy layer of insects' exoskeleton, causing them to dehydrate. This also works
against gastropods, commonly employed in the garden to defeat slugs.
Ants
Ants tend to avoid citrus, mint, cinnamon, cucumber, dried chili pepper and paprika. Try spraying or sprinkling these in areas the ants tend to frequent. Other combats include diluted liquid soap. Spraying their usual pathways with a citrus derived cleanser or vinegar works too (although the vinegar odor may be a bit much over a large area). To prevent ants from infiltrating your home, store your food in tight containers, vacuum crumbs, and put away any pet food for the night.
Ants tend to avoid citrus, mint, cinnamon, cucumber, dried chili pepper and paprika. Try spraying or sprinkling these in areas the ants tend to frequent. Other combats include diluted liquid soap. Spraying their usual pathways with a citrus derived cleanser or vinegar works too (although the vinegar odor may be a bit much over a large area). To prevent ants from infiltrating your home, store your food in tight containers, vacuum crumbs, and put away any pet food for the night.
Bedbugs & Dust Mites
While at times bed bugs may seem indestructible, taking down whole cities at a time, their kryptonite is extreme heat. Washing infected items in hot water or sealing them in plastic and placing them in the sun can get rid of these little critters. Vacuuming and washing bedding regularly as well as cleaning up clutter can help prevent their onset. When buying used furniture examine it thoroughly!!! And when it comes to mattresses, no taking chances. New is the best, and safest way to go.
While at times bed bugs may seem indestructible, taking down whole cities at a time, their kryptonite is extreme heat. Washing infected items in hot water or sealing them in plastic and placing them in the sun can get rid of these little critters. Vacuuming and washing bedding regularly as well as cleaning up clutter can help prevent their onset. When buying used furniture examine it thoroughly!!! And when it comes to mattresses, no taking chances. New is the best, and safest way to go.
Earwigs
Two traps for these little guys include a clean cat-food or tuna filled with water and vegetable oil (they'll fall in and drown) or a damp, rolled up newspaper (they'll crawl inside to escape the heat).
Two traps for these little guys include a clean cat-food or tuna filled with water and vegetable oil (they'll fall in and drown) or a damp, rolled up newspaper (they'll crawl inside to escape the heat).
Fleas
A few herbal remedies said to work for dogs are spraying diluted eucalyptus, rose germanium, or tea tree oil onto your dog's fur. You can also sprinkle some diatomaceous earth on your pet or use an herbal shampoo. Combing your pet's fur with a comb dipped in soapy water can also help extract the fleas, and then place them in the freezer in order to kill them. To prevent their access, vacuum your carpets and furniture frequently as well as bath your pets often.
A few herbal remedies said to work for dogs are spraying diluted eucalyptus, rose germanium, or tea tree oil onto your dog's fur. You can also sprinkle some diatomaceous earth on your pet or use an herbal shampoo. Combing your pet's fur with a comb dipped in soapy water can also help extract the fleas, and then place them in the freezer in order to kill them. To prevent their access, vacuum your carpets and furniture frequently as well as bath your pets often.
Flies
Some natural fly deterrents include citronella, pine oil, eucalyptus, basil and bay leaves. You can also make your own natural fly paper by spreading a mixture of boiling water, corn syrup and sugar cane on strips on brown paper bags. To prevent flies from permeating into your home, cover your trash with a tight-fitting lid and remove it regularly. Also keep a close eye on any food that is left out on the table or counter, especially fruits.
Some natural fly deterrents include citronella, pine oil, eucalyptus, basil and bay leaves. You can also make your own natural fly paper by spreading a mixture of boiling water, corn syrup and sugar cane on strips on brown paper bags. To prevent flies from permeating into your home, cover your trash with a tight-fitting lid and remove it regularly. Also keep a close eye on any food that is left out on the table or counter, especially fruits.
Mosquitoes
Essential oils are the most handy against these mini-vampires. Citronella candles or torches are a good method for keeping them away during outside gatherings. As for inside, sometimes just turning on a fan can be enough. They're attracted to heat, water and shade. Take the garbage out often during the warmer months and always place a tight lid on garbage cans in your house. Watch for holes or tears in screens and inspect attic and basement spaces for openings. Mosquitoes need water to breed, and therefore any source of standing water around your property is going to cause a problem. Since you can't remove all the water from your property maintaining that the water is clean or changed on a reasonable basis will help. Houseplants with standing water in their trays can also be a breeding ground for new mosquitoes. Cover rain barrels and drill holes in the bottoms of garbage and recycling bins. Maintaining gutters to prevents backed up water from sitting around will also lessen the likelihood of creating a breeding ground.
Essential oils are the most handy against these mini-vampires. Citronella candles or torches are a good method for keeping them away during outside gatherings. As for inside, sometimes just turning on a fan can be enough. They're attracted to heat, water and shade. Take the garbage out often during the warmer months and always place a tight lid on garbage cans in your house. Watch for holes or tears in screens and inspect attic and basement spaces for openings. Mosquitoes need water to breed, and therefore any source of standing water around your property is going to cause a problem. Since you can't remove all the water from your property maintaining that the water is clean or changed on a reasonable basis will help. Houseplants with standing water in their trays can also be a breeding ground for new mosquitoes. Cover rain barrels and drill holes in the bottoms of garbage and recycling bins. Maintaining gutters to prevents backed up water from sitting around will also lessen the likelihood of creating a breeding ground.
Spiders
While most spiders are harmless and probably are very good at keeping other insects populations from entering your home, if you would prefer to keep your house web-free spraying a citrus essential oil in spider-prone areas. Cleaning up clutter, especially wood and cardboard, will help keep these creepy crawlers out of sight. Dusting regularly will also help.
While most spiders are harmless and probably are very good at keeping other insects populations from entering your home, if you would prefer to keep your house web-free spraying a citrus essential oil in spider-prone areas. Cleaning up clutter, especially wood and cardboard, will help keep these creepy crawlers out of sight. Dusting regularly will also help.
Yours in freedom,
Bruce ‘the Poor Man’
Now Celebrating our 6th Year!
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