No-one likes to think that there may be creepy crawlies lurking in their home. And outdoor pests can be a real pain for gardeners. But next time you have an attack of flies, ants or slugs, think twice before reaching for the can of pest killer. Most commercial pest control products contain a multitude of strong chemicals that are not only bad for the environment but can be harmful to you, your family and your pets. So instead of using heavy-duty insect killers, try researching some of the more natural ways of dealing with common pests. Here are a few ideas:
Flies
There are a wide range of fly traps available which capture flies without using chemicals. Alternatively, try placingplants that actively ward off flies around your home – basil plants, eucalyptus oiland crushed mint are all reported to work.
Wasps
Wasps actually eat other insects including flies so if you spot one or two wasps in your home, don’t rush to kill them – just avoid aggravating them and they won’t sting. If you have a bigger problem, you can buy wasp traps that use water, rather than chemicals, to kill the wasps.
Slugs
Slugs can be really destructive but thankfully there are lots of natural ways to deal with them. Try placing copper barriers around plants or create a trap using beer as bait – apparently slugs love the smell of beer and will climb into the trap and drown.
For more environmentally-friendly pest-control tips, visit: www.eartheasy.com