There are so many things to love about the summertime. The sun, warm weather, BBQs, the beach, family time, fresh fruits, and lots of ice cream are summer staples. Spending time outside is wonderful and refreshing and a great way to increase your vitamin D levels.
However, summer and warm weather also means lots and lots of bugs. Bees, wasps, ants, mosquitoes, ticks, and other critters are flying and crawling around everywhere. There is nothing worse than getting attacked by a wasp at the pool or getting eaten alive by mosquitoes at an evening cookout.
There are many pest control options available on the market to help keep the critters away, but they are also filled with toxic chemicals and pesticides that can do some serious harm to you and your family. You do not want to expose yourself, your kids, and your dogs or cats to these harsh chemical pesticides.
Luckily, there are so great non-toxic pest control options that will allow you to live bug-free in the summer but in a safe and healthy way. We will take a look at some of the best options below!
Diatomaceous Earth
This bug control method comes in a fine white powder. It is made from crushed fossilized diatoms, which is a form of algae. It has a strong negative charge, which detracts bugs and critters.
DE is particularly good for getting rid of ants, fleas, roaches, and other bugs that walk and crawl around. It is not as effective for bugs that fly. With DE, sprinkle it anywhere you see you have a bug issues or where bugs are entering your home, on the outside of your home, etc. within a day or two the bugs should no longer be around. If you sprinkled the powder inside, vacuum up the remaining powder when your bug issue has been resolved.
Wondercide Ready-to-Spray Natural Flea and Tick Yard Spray
If you like sprays and want to protect your yard in a natural and safe way, that actually works, this is the best product. It is safe for the whole family, especially for dogs and kids that like to run around the yard.
The spray uses organic cedar oil as the main active ingredient to help keep fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and hundreds of other pests away. We also love that fact that it is safe to use around bees and it will not kill or harm them in any way.
Organic Neem Oil
If you are looking for an organic option that is safe for indoor and outdoor use and has no risks, use neem oil. Neem oil is great for killing and repelling fleas and ticks. You can add this oil to a sprayer and spray it all over your yard to repel all of the bugs you do not want around like biting flies and mosquitos.
Cucumber
Cucumbers work well for getting rid of ants. Slice some cucumbers and put them where the ants are entering your home. Many types of ants have a strong dislike of cucumbers, especially bitter cucumbers.
Garlic
Making a garlic spray with one-part garlic juice to five parts of filtered water. Spray anywhere you have a bug problem or do not want bugs hanging around. This works particularly well for repelling mosquitoes. If you are outside, soak a few cotton balls in the liquid and place around the area you will be hanging out to keep the bugs away.
Any of these natural and safe pest control options for summer work well, are safe, and low-cost ways to keep all of those unwanted bugs away from your home and yard all season long.
Using one option or a few in combination with each other may increase the effectiveness of keeping pesky bugs away from your home.