If you have garden you want to keep free of pesticides and insecticides, you might be looking for all-natural solutions. It’s true that there are a wide range of organic alternatives to turn to—pest-repellent plants, natural pesticides, or even bug nets for your plants. But what if you want your pest control alternative to be a little…cuter?
5 Pest Control Hacks You Should Skip, According to Pros
09.06.2024 - 10:43 / thespruce.com / Melissa Epifano
When bugs and critters are ruining youral fresco dinners, backyard plants, or countertop fruit baskets, it's tempting to turn to DIY pest solutions that promise to banish them in an instant.
Though some natural remedies are super effective (hello, DIY fruit fly trap), many pest control hacks don't actually work, no matter how much praise they receive or virality they garner on social media.
Rather than playing the long game of trial and error, we spoke with experts who debunked methods that don't actually work and offered much more effective alternatives to use instead.
The Spruce
Baking soda has earned a good reputation around the house, but it's not the most effective pest repellent. Nicole Carpenter, president of Black Pest Prevention, notes that when eaten by critters like ants or mice, it can work—but that's if they eat it. You'll probably find most will walk on by.
«Many common insects and rodents prefer sugary or protein-based foods, and baking soda is something they would hardly choose to eat,» she says.
Try instead: A better alternative is food-grade diatomaceous earth. Carpenter says it's safe, environmentally friendly, easy to use, and works. Spread as a thin even layer of dust in areas of pest activity or potential entry points.
Krit of Studio OMG / Getty Images
People seeking to keep pests at bay also gravitate towards ingredients with strong odors, like garlic and vinegar. Meg Pearson, training manager at Critter Control, says that these might work for a short period of time, but are poor options for long-term repelling.
«As with most scent-based repellents, the scent needs to be constantly reapplied, so its potency doesn't fade,» she notes.
This means you'll likely spend more time reapplying (and
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