How To Get Rid of Bugs For Free

Bugs pose a big problem for those on a budget. Professional pest control services can cost hundreds of dollars. You’ll also be exposed to potentially harmful chemicals that can affect the health of you and your pets.

The good news is that there are plenty of natural bug remedies that make use of things you already have around the house. These DIY methods can save you from a hefty bill from the exterminator.

Fight Pests With DIY Bug Remedies

Pests are a nuisance. They can carry disease and cause your food to spoil, but you can take steps to deal with them.

Homemade bug remedies that use inexpensive household products are an effective measure of budget-friendly pest control. You can keep roaches, flies, and other bugs out of your home.

How to Get Rid of Roaches

Roaches are one of the most difficult bugs to deal with. They can show up overnight and breed quickly. These home remedies for roaches will help you act fast.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is a mainstay in most pantries. It has a number of incredible uses, but many don’t know that it’s an effective roach control measure.

To use baking soda to get rid of roaches, you’ll need a small dish, a few bits of diced onion, and a sprinkling of baking soda. You’ll put the onions in the dish, coat them with baking soda, and place your DIY roach bait in areas you’ve noticed roach activity.

When the roaches come to eat the onions, the baking soda creates a chemical reaction in their stomachs. The gas from the reaction can cause the roaches to burst.

Borax

Borax is a common laundry detergent available at most stores for a low price. It’s a great option if you’re trying to cut expenses.

Borax also kills roaches quickly and involves less clean-up than the baking soda method. Mix it with white sugar in equal parts and spread it around wherever you’ve seen roaches. The roaches will try to eat the mixture, but the borax dehydrates and kills them. 

Oil and Syrup Trap

If you’re looking for a more self-contained form of roach removal, you can make a DIY roach trap. You’ll need a large bottle (wine bottles work best), some maple syrup, and a bit of cooking oil.

Pour maple syrup into the bottle until the bottom is completely covered. Then, coat the inside of the bottle in your cooking oil. The roaches will attempt to eat the syrup, but won’t be able to free themselves. If they manage to get themselves loose, the oil prevents them from escaping.

How to Get Rid of Flies

Flies are another pest that can multiply quickly. They can also carry diseases like food poisoning and dysentery. Home remedies for files can keep your home free of these pests.

Cayenne Pepper

Prevent a fly infestation before it happens by creating your own fly repellent using cayenne pepper. Mix a cup of water with a teaspoon of pepper and put the mixture in a spray bottle.

Spray your homemade fly repellent on your doorways, your window sills, and anywhere you notice fly activity. Flies are put off by the scent of cayenne pepper and will leave your house alone.

Basil 

Basil also makes an excellent fly repellent. Like cayenne, flies also detest the smell of basil.

You won’t even need to craft a mixture to use basil to fight flies. Its presence is enough to dissuade most houseflies. You can use fresh, potted basil or dried basil in a breathable bag. 

Put your basil near entryways and windows and flies will avoid your home.

Vinegar and Soap Trap

If the flies are already inside your home, you can get rid of them easily with a vinegar and soap trap. You’ll need a dish, a rubber band, a bit of plastic or wax paper, apple cider vinegar, and dish soap.

Place a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in the dish and mix in a dash of dish soap. Cover the dish with your paper or plastic and secure it with a rubber band. Finally, poke a few small holes in the top.

Flies can smell the apple cider vinegar and will make their way through the holes in the top layer to get to it. However, the dish soap will coat their wings and they’ll be trapped in the dish.

These traps are most effective in areas with a high population of flies. It’s common to place them in the kitchen or in the garage.

How to Get Rid of Bugs

Roaches and flies aren’t the only kind of pests you need to contend with. Spiders and ants can also make your life difficult.

Ant Repellant

Ants that make it inside the home are most commonly found in the kitchen. Fortunately, the kitchen also houses two great ant repellants. 

Mix a bit of water with dish soap or vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture anywhere you notice ant activity.

Spider Repellant

Many people are afraid of spiders, but you can keep them at bay with a few simple DIY concoctions. 

The scent of vinegar repels spiders, so mix a bit of water with your choice of vinegar and spray it on your countertops and along your baseboards.

You can also use garlic to craft a more intense spider repellant. Crush a few gloves and place them in water overnight. In the morning, spray the mixture wherever you have a spider problem.

What if Home Remedies Aren’t Enough? 

DIY methods of pest control can be effective, but large infestations need professional intervention. Pest infestations can pose serious health risks, so they’ll be worth the cost of service.

Need some financial help ridding your home of pests? A loan from Freddy’s Fast Cash can provide the relief you need. Reach out to discuss your options.

Fortunately, many pest control services offer free estimates. Companies like Terminix also offer new customers discounts on insect treatment.