9 Natural Remedies for Pest Control

Those coffee grounds are good for more than just a cup of coffee. Try using your leftover coffee grounds in spots around the outside of your home where you think pests are coming in. Many critters can’t stand the smell of the grounds and will steer clear.You can also use coffee grounds to critter-proof your garden.

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Are aphids taking over your garden? Just place a banana peel under the soil near the stems of your plants. This will not only deter the bugs, but it will add some nutrients to the soil.Try these tips for getting rid of garden weeds.

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If those pesky fruit flies are invading your kitchen, grab a small bowl and pour in a little apple cider vinegar. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and punch a couple pencil-lead-sized holes in the plastic. The fruit flies will be attracted to the vinegar and they can get in but not out.Vinegar can also be used to make a natural cleaner.

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Seeing ants? Place small piles of cornmeal down wherever you see ants. Ants like to eat the cornmeal and they will take it back to their colony but they can’t digest it. It may take a few days to work, but if you have pets, it’s a non-toxic solution.Photo: Moving Moment/Shutterstock

Ants leave a trail which makes it easier for other ants from the colony to find their way to food. To wash away the trail, use a solution made from 1/4 cup white vinegar, 2 cups water and 10 drops of peppermint or eucalyptus oil.Some oils can also be used to clean furniture and fight odors.

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Mosquitoes crash your backyard bonfire? Throw some fresh rosemary or sage on the coals to keep mosquitoes away.Photo: kaiskynet/Shutterstock

Make your own dust mite repellent spray with essential oils. Mix eucalyptus, lavender, clove or peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle. Use it to mist furniture and linens and allow the spray to air dry.Photo: LiliGraphie/Shutterstock

Sweet basil not only works great in recipes, but it also wards off flies. Just plant a pot of sweet basil and place in a sunny spot next to a frequently used door.Photo: saschanti17/Shutterstock

It may be an old wives’ tale, but it works. To keep spiders away, slice up some onions and toss them in a bowl of water. Place the bowl where spiders enter your home and they’ll stay away.Photo: NUM LPPHOTO/Shutterstock

If ladybugs are taking over an area of your home, place some bags of cloves or sprinkle some clove oil in heavily infested areas. Ladybugs don’t like strong scents and will evacuate quickly. Then vacuum or sweep up the cloves.