Pest management tools

Here are some tools of the trade for managing pests without exposing your family to pesticides:

Spray bottle of soapy water
One tablespoon of dishwashing soap in a gallon of water can be used to control a wide range of pests. Ants follow scent trails; eliminate them by wiping up with soapy spray. Small, soft-bodied bugs such as aphids, mealybugs and spider mites can be killed with soap spray.
The pesticide effect doesn’t linger, so you must spray insects
directly. Remember: More is not better! Higher concentrations of
soap can damage plants.

Bowl of soapy water
Fruit flies are attracted to bright yellow; fill a yellow bowl with soapy water to attract and trap flies. Place pet food dishes in a larger bowl of soapy water; it will act as a moat to keep ants out. A bowl of soapy water can also be used to kill slugs and earwigs.

Boric acid (Borax)
Boric acid acts as a stomach poison for ants, cockroaches, silverfish and termites, and is abrasive to an insect’s exoskeleton. Sprinkle the powder in places where insects travel: crevices, behind counters, and near baseboards. Boric acid adheres to insects and kills after three to ten days. Ant bait can be made from one tablespoon peanut butter, one teaspoon brown sugar and ½ teaspoon boric acid. Spread bait on masking tape and place (away from children and pets) where ants have been spotted. Keep boric acid out of reach of children and use it only in locations where it will not come in contact with people or animals.

Diatomaceous earth
This fine powder causes insects to dehydrate in about 48 hours,
and it works well on carpet beetles, bedbugs, fleas, cockroaches,
ants, earwigs, and more. Sprinkle the powder where pests
frequent, including under stoves, garbage cans, window frames, entrance ways, drains and in cracks. For fleas, dust carpets and pet bedding. Caution: Diatomaceous earth can be dangerous when inhaled — follow instructions carefully!

Neem Oil
This natural oil can be used as a pesticide for a variety of plant pests, from aphids to fungus. Diluted with water and sprayed, Neem oil is deemed safe for use on food and non-food plants.

Vacuum cleaner
Your household vacuum cleaner with a crevice attachment can be a great tool to control pests like ants, fleas, moths, spiders and more. Add corn starch to the bag to suffocate ants and fleas. Seal the vacuum bag and throw away, or freeze the bag overnight to kill pests.

Glass canning jars
Some pests can bore through plastic and wax bags and boxes, even when sealed, to get at your flour or cereal. Prevent pests by keeping your pantry items in glass jars with rubber sealing rings.

Caulk
Caulk is used to seal cracks 1⁄16” to ½” that might give shelter to insects or let them into your home. Caulk around fixtures, where the wall meets the floor, and where cabinets meet the wall. Acrylic latex caulk is easy to paint after sealing cracks around windows and doors. Silicon caulk can be used on metal and plastic, stands up to temperature differences, and will seal around bathtubs, showers and sinks. Buy caulk in either a squeeze tube or as a cartridge for use with a caulking gun.

Weather strip
Weather strips and door sweeps can be used to close gaps around and under doors. Self-adhesive foam strips close gaps around windows.

Screens
Screen doors and window screens in good repair are effective for keeping insects out while allowing for ventilation. Screens can also be installed on attic vents, kitchen and bathroom vents, dryer vents, and any vents from outside to inside the home.

Steel wool
To fill gaps larger than ½ inch (such as around radiator sand
pipes) stuff gaps with soap-free steel wool. Follow up with
joint compound or spackle.

Boiling water
Pour boiling water on ant hills to wipe out a colony. Boiling water
will kill bacteria in sponges and on wooden cutting boards. To kill
fruit flies and drain flies, pour ½ cup of baking soda in the drain
followed by a cup if vinegar. Let it fizz for five minutes and then
chase it with boiling water.