Simple Home Pest Control Remedies
Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash
Tens of thousands of bug species reside in Singapore, nearly all of which can invade homes. While most of these critters are solitary and harmless, some – like fleas, cockroaches and bedbugs – rapidly reproduce and cause all sorts of hygiene and health problems. Such species are the bane of homeowners' and contractors' lives, and the sight of them can prompt a speedy call to the exterminator. But they need not be so hasty: home pest control remedies exist and are much more eco-friendly than their professional-grade counterparts.
Essential Oils
Studies have found that essential oils – those extracted from plants like mint, oregano and eucalyptus – can repel certain household pests better than DEET and other commercial insect repellents. Essential oils are particularly effective against cockroaches and bedbugs. Not only do essential oils repel these creepy crawlies; some actually exterminate them. As such, commercial insecticides like EcoRaider and Bed Bug Patrol are essential oils-based. So whether you spritz these oils around your home or directly onto intrusive insects, pest control will be easier.
The Power Of Catnip
Yes, this feline-friendly herb is an enemy to household pests. Catnip contains nepetalactone, a chemical that attracts cats and repels cockroaches. Sprinkling catnip around the home will keep roaches at bay. This method probably won’t eliminate a roach problem, but it will repel roaches to an extent that hazards will be minimized. Pest-caused hazards include allergic reactions and asthma; catnip, which has also been found to repel flies and mosquitoes, nips these problems at the source.
Leave No Crack Unsealed
Unfortunately, the most basic pest control methods often get overlooked. Pest control begins during the construction of a house. Builders must ensure that walls, floors, ceilings and foundations are sealed. Pests can travel through and reproduce in the smallest of spaces; an improperly constructed or renovated home is thus a magnet for infestation. But the responsibility doesn’t begin and end with the builder or contractor. Homeowners must cover or seal the holes and cracks that will inevitably emerge over time. Entries are also important. Ensuring that doors and windows aren’t cracked, perforated or left open too long is one of the best pest control methods.
Pest control doesn’t have to be the responsibility of expensive exterminators and hazardous chemicals. Natural alternatives do the trick cheaper and sometimes better. Fortunately, essential oils, catnip and proper home construction/maintenance have all been proven to keep the pests away.
