From Guest Blogger Meghan Belnap: Four Environmentally Friendly Ways To Get Rid Of Pests

Everyone experiences pest problems in their homes at one time or another. But you don’t need to use potentially toxic chemicals that can negatively impact your health and the environment to get rid of them. There are environmentally friendly ways to get rid of pests that you can use the next time you notice those unwelcome guests in your home. Here are four non-toxic alternatives to commercial products that you may consider using.

Boric Acid

Boric acid is a detergent, found commonly as an ingredient in soaps, the cleaner Borax and some specialty fertilizers. It is safe enough to be regularly discharged into the environment in waste water from countless washing machines.

Boric acid formulas have been available commercially for many years as a form of roach and ant control. Roach and ant traps typically have a very low percentage of boric acid in a liquid or gel form. There are boric acid powders that are dusted over the infested areas that have a much higher percentage of boric acid in them and are highly effective.

Unlike regular sprays used as insecticide, boric acid is never carried around the house by air currents, and does not settle anywhere unintended. Insecticide sprays rely on chemicals that are designed to destroy an insect’s nervous system. This is called a neurotoxic poison.

Boric Acid does not have any neurotoxic effects on living things. The pest killing effect is derived from the fact that once Boric Acid is ingested, gas forms inside the insect that cannot be expelled, killing it. In powder or gel for, boric acid breaks down harmlessly in the environment over time.

Soap and Water

Spraying a simple solution of soapy water will kill roaches, ants and other bugs quickly, with little environmental impact, or risk your health. The soapy solution works by clogging the insects breathing passages, killing them by asphyxiation.

Catnip, Mint and Cloves

This is a deterrent to be used after you’ve controlled the actual infestation; catnip is natural and completely non-toxic. Roaches don’t like catnip, and will not go anywhere catnip has been placed. Mint and cloves have an identical effect on ants, keeping the area clear. However, if you sense that your ant problem is bigger than a simple prevention issue, professional services like Green Pest Control in Fairfax can eliminate insect problems like carpenter ants that can cause major destruction to your infrastructure.

What about Lice?

During the school year countless children will experience an infestation of lice. While never life threatening, it is really gross, and itchy. Over the counter treatments are usually not very effective, and prescription treatments can be full of chemicals you don’t want to expose yourself, or your children to.

Fortunately there are some old tried and true methods to deal with this problem safely and without using insecticides with unpronounceable names. For some people the solution is as simple as shaving all the hair off. Removing the hair leaves no place for lice and their eggs. This method is absolutely safe and non-toxic. If shaving your head is not to your taste, then you need mayonnaise. You will need lots of mayonnaise.

Thoroughly cover the hair, then cover it all with a plastic bag, from forehead to nape of neck. After twelve to twenty-four hours the lice should all be dead. Wash and thoroughly examine the hair for any remaining eggs.

Utilize these low cost and environmentally safe ways to get rid of pests in your home. Remember to call in the professionals if you feel an insect problem is out of hand and beyond your control. When scheduling an appointment, check first to see what types of chemicals they use to eliminate bugs. The more environmentally safe the products are, they safer they’ll be on you and your home too!