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Pest ControlJuly 16, 2022

9 Natural Remedies for Pest Control

9 Natural Remedies for Pest Control

Pest control is quite complicated and complex. There are so many products that only work with a certain type of pest, and they are so difficult to use that sometimes we feel lost with all the options. However, some remedies we can buy from organic shops or produce ourselves are much easier to use than the industrial ones. Let’s take a look at 9 natural remedies for pest control and how to use them. If you need help with pest control in Virginia Beach, keep reading.

  • Coffee grounds

Do you like to drink an excellent homemade coffee? What if you can use the coffee grounds for more than making the drink? Yes, coffee grounds are a perfect natural remedy for pest control. You can use your leftover grounds in spots outside your home where you suspect the pests may be coming in. Several critters can’t stand the smell of the coffee grounds, so they’ll keep their distance. Ants and other problems will also be disturbed by the grounds.

  • Apple cider vinegar

Are you having problems with fruit flies? Don’t worry; apple cider vinegar may help you with that. All you have to do is pour a little apple cider vinegar into a small bowl. Then, you cover the bowl with plastic wrap and use your pencil or something of the same size to punch some holes in the plastic. The apple cider will attract the fruit flies, which will enter the bowl but won’t be able to get out.

  • Essential oils

Essential oils such as eucalyptus, peppermint, lavender, spearmint, tea tree, and more are great to make your own dust mite repellent spray. You need to mix the essential oil with water, put it in a spray bottle, and shake well. Use it to mist linens and furniture and let the spray air dry.

Some pests hate certain smells. For example, if you use 10 to 15 drops of tea tree oil in a spray bottle with 1 cup of water and spray it just as stated earlier, you will keep the bugs away. It may also work with bed bugs and flies, and Peppermint essential oil is good to keep the ants away.

It is vital to notice that all natural remedies need to be applied more frequently but are as practical or even more effective than other pest control methods.

  • Onion

Onions are delicious, and what’s even better than using the onions’ leftovers to keep spiders away? Although spiders are a great help in most cases since they are natural predators of some horrible pests, they may be a problem in some places since there are poison spiders. Therefore, you should pay attention to whether the spider species near your house are poisonous or secure.

To keep the spiders away, slice up some onions and toss them in a water bowl. Then you place it where spiders enter your home, and they’ll keep their distance.

  • Natural fly traps

To create a natural fly trap, you must fill an empty soda bottle with sweetened water – you can add anything you want to make it sweet, like sugar, honey, syrup, or even overripe fruit since fruits are sweeter when they are overripe. Add some drops of any vinegar, shake it, and it is ready. This trap will be great to keep bees away since they’ll come for the sweet in the water but won’t be able to fly back out while their wings are wet.

Of course, in many places, this is not necessary, and bees are already facing extinction, and we shouldn’t do anything that risks their safety since they are essential to our lives. So only do this natural fly trap if you have a big bee problem you couldn’t solve by calling the responsible authorities.

  • Banana peel

Everyone likes bananas, but what should we do after we eat them? It feels a bit wasteful to throw the banana peel away, right? Well, luckily there are several things you can do with it. For example, you can place it under the soil close to the stems of your plants. This action will help keep the bugs away and add nutrients to the oil, working as a bit of fertilizer.

  • White vinegar

You must have heard that vinegar is a great cleanser and a great product to keep pests away. One of the best vinegar to use is white vinegar because of its strong smell and attraction to some species. The best thing that you can do with it is to get rid of ant trails.

To use it correctly, you should add two cups of water to a ¼ cup of whiter vinegar and some drops of essential oil. Use it where you saw the ants.

  • Cloves

Cloves are lovely to keep the ladybugs away in the easiest way possible. You need to place some bags of cloves or even sprinkle some clove oil in areas that are heavily infested. Ladybugs, like many pests, hate strong scents, so they’ll evacuate. After waiting a bit, you can vacuum or sweep up the cloves.

  • Citrus

Several citrus fruits can be used to control pests, especially lemon and orange. You can use the essential oil of any of these fruits to make a natural spider deterrent spray. Drop 5 drops of essential oil, 5 drops of soap, and 1 quart of water to make the deterrent.

Pure lemon juice can also be used; all you need to do is spritzed it around cracks and place lemon or orange peels on bookshelves, cupboards, and other places where pests like to make a home.

  • Call a pest control company for further help.

All these remedies help control pests, but they won’t be enough in some cases. If you are already dealing with pests or think you are, and if you need pest control in Virginia Beach, you should call Universal Pest & Termite. This 4,8-star average rating pest control company is famous for its outstanding services. Go to their website and schedule an inspection right now.

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Why Universal

How We Compare to Other Pest Control Companies

Not every pest control company in Hampton Roads offers the same thing. Here is a straight comparison of what you get with Universal Pest Control and what is common elsewhere in the industry.

Comparison of Universal Pest & Termite, Inc. against common practice among other pest control companies serving Hampton Roads.
UniGuard ProgramExclusive
Universal Pest Control

Termite protection and full pest control combined in one membership for one low monthly payment — from $59/month, with the termite warranty and quarterly pest service included together.

Most pest control companies

Termite protection and pest control are usually sold as two separate agreements, with two renewals and two bills to keep track of.

SmartPay financingExclusive
Universal Pest Control

$0-down payment options on termite treatments, baiting systems, and repairs, so the work can start before payday. Simple, predictable monthly payments.

Most pest control companies

Financing, where it is offered, is commonly arranged separately through a third-party lender.

Pest Guard Attic Insulation™Exclusive
Universal Pest Control

Hampton Roads' only licensed Pest Guard Insulation™ installer, through our sister company Universal Insulation Doctor — insulation manufactured with an EPA-registered pest preventative, so the replacement itself resists the insects that ruined the original.

Most pest control companies

Attic insulation is typically referred out, and standard fiberglass has no pest deterrent built into the material.

Total Home Health Network
Universal Pest Control

Pest and termite control, attic insulation, and duct cleaning coordinated under one roof through the Universal family of companies — one point of contact for the whole job, done in the right order.

Most pest control companies

Pest control only. Insulation and duct work are usually booked with separate vendors on separate timelines.

A+ BBB rating
Universal Pest Control

BBB accredited since 2007 with an A+ rating, earned through consistent, honest work in the same community.

Most pest control companies

Accreditation and ratings vary by company — worth checking before you book anyone.

26+ years in business
Universal Pest Control

Protecting Hampton Roads homes since 2000 — more than 26 years in the same market, with over 100,000+ homes serviced.

Most pest control companies

Tenure in the area varies widely; newer branches and recently opened franchises are common.

Family owned & operated
Universal Pest Control

Owned and run by a family that has lived in Hampton Roads their whole lives. The people who answer the phone and the crews at your door are your neighbors.

Most pest control companies

Ownership varies — many local branches are franchises of national brands, with crews dispatched from outside the area.

Guarantees in writing
Universal Pest Control

Pest-Free Guarantee and Termite-Free Guarantee: if pests come back between scheduled visits, so do we, at no extra charge. Free inspections, plus same-day and next-day service.

Most pest control companies

Retreatment terms, callback windows, and what counts as covered differ from contract to contract.

The highlighted Universal Pest & Termite column reflects services we provide directly or through the Universal family of companies. The “Most pest control companies” column describes common industry practice in general terms and is not a statement about any particular company — some companies may offer services that are similar, so ask any provider exactly what their plan, warranty, and quote include before you sign. Financing on approved credit.