Natural Ways to Get Rid of Bugs

• Use natural methods to get rid of bugs. Life On White/Photodisc/Getty Images

  Bugs become annoying pests when they infiltrate your home. While your instinctual reaction may be to buy an insecticide, these bug repellents contain dangerous chemicals that can put you, your family and household pets in danger of contamination. Rather than filling your home with a harmful bug killer, there are natural ways to get rid of bugs. Removing bugs naturally is easy by using items you likely already have in your home.

Prevention Method

• The easiest way to kill bugs naturally is to prevent them from coming into your house in the first place. Bugs are attracted to crumbs and mess, so keep your house clean and floors and counter tops free of food particles and spills.

Mint Method

• Leave mint out where you notice bugs gathering. Certain bugs, like ants and flies, have a natural aversion to mint, which will discourage them from entering the house. Try using crushed mint leaves or mint tea bags.

Natural Mixture Method

• A natural water mixture, such as one liter of water, one teaspoon of Borax, and a cup of sugar, will act as an insecticide. Soak cotton balls in the mixture and place them in a small container where bugs can have access. The solution will begin to kill bugs slowly upon contact.

  A simple soapy water solution will also work as a bug-killer. Mix water together with any household soap. Putting soapy water in a spray bottle and keeping it on hand will protect your house from bugs. Some bugs, like cockroaches, die on contact when sprayed with a soapy water solution.

Bug-Catcher Method

• To naturally get rid of flying bugs, make a bug-catcher. Mix a solution of 1/4 cup syrup, a tablespoon of granulated sugar and a tablespoon of brown sugar. Soak strips of brown paper in the mixture and let the paper dry overnight. Hang the paper in rooms where you notice bugs congregating by poking a small hole at the top of each strip and hanging it with some string or thread. Flying bugs will be attracted to the solution and become caught in the paper, which may then be disposed of.

Diatomaceous Earth Method

• Sprinkle diatomaceous earth on areas where you notice bugs congregating. Diamotaceous earth is a natural bug killer made from fossilized diatom remains (algae). The product comes in the form of a chalky powder and is harmful only to bugs because it is a mechanical, rather than chemical, killer. The substance works by attaching itself to the bugs' bodies and slowly dehydrating them. Diatomaceous earth controls ants, ticks, fleas, cockroaches, bed bugs, spiders, slugs, flies, mites and other household bugs. See Resources for more information.