- Vacuum Thoroughly: Focus on carpets, furniture, and pet bedding. Empty the vacuum bag immediately outside your home.
- Diatomaceous Earth (DE): Sprinkle food-grade DE on carpets, pet beds, and cracks. It dehydrates fleas and their eggs. Let it sit for a few hours before vacuuming.
- Lemon Spray: Boil lemon slices in water, let it cool, and spray it on flea-prone areas. Fleas dislike citrus.
- Wash Bedding: Wash all pet and human bedding in hot water to kill fleas and their eggs.
Prevention Tips:
- Bathe pets regularly with flea-repelling shampoos.
- Use flea collars or natural essential oil sprays on pets (consult a vet first).
2. Eliminating Ants
Ants are persistent but can be deterred using these natural solutions:
Steps:
- White Vinegar: Mix equal parts water and white vinegar, and spray it along ant trails, entry points, and windowsills.
- Cinnamon: Sprinkle cinnamon powder around entry points. Ants dislike its strong scent.
- Boric Acid and Sugar Trap: Mix 1 teaspoon of boric acid with 1 tablespoon of sugar. Place small amounts near trails, keeping it out of reach of pets and children. The sugar attracts ants, and the boric acid eliminates them.
- Seal Entry Points: Use caulk to seal cracks and crevices where ants may enter.
Prevention Tips:
- Keep countertops and floors clean and free of crumbs.
- Store food in airtight containers.
3. Eliminating Cockroaches
Cockroaches thrive in warm, damp environments and can be tough to eradicate. Use these methods to send them packing:
Steps:
- Baking Soda and Sugar Trap: Mix equal parts baking soda and sugar. Place it in small lids or containers in areas where roaches are seen. The sugar lures them, and the baking soda kills them.
- Bay Leaves: Place bay leaves in cabinets, drawers, and other roach-prone areas. Roaches dislike their smell.
- Diatomaceous Earth: Sprinkle food-grade DE in cracks, under appliances, and along walls. It dehydrates and kills roaches.
- Soapy Water Spray: Spray roaches directly with soapy water. It suffocates them on contact.
Prevention Tips:
- Fix leaky faucets and eliminate standing water.
- Empty trash cans daily and clean food spills immediately.
