All Natural Pest Control - A Safe Way to Control Pests

Natural pest control techniques, which involve the use of non-toxic and environmental friendly methods, are now gaining recognition as an alternative to chemical pesticides. After decades of using chemical pesticides for our homes and in agricultural farms, the world has come to realise their harmful effects.

Integrated Pest Management techniques using natural pest control can ensure that agricultural and household pests are eradicated in a non-toxic way. Commercial pesticides containing toxic chemicals used to eradicate pests such roaches, rodents and other insects are destroying our health and the environment at the same time.

The toxic chemicals used in pesticides can cause cancer and other diseases. Chemical pesticides used in intensive agriculture cause similar effects as it enters the food chain and water sources. When consumed by humans, they can cause serious health disorders. Natural pest control methods can prevent such toxins from entering our food system and environment.

What are Natural Pest Control Techniques?
We can combat pests both in our homes and in farms by using natural pest control techniques, which don't use harmful chemicals. Here are some characteristics of natural methods for pest control.

• Instead of chemical pesticides, safer organic or naturally occurring mixtures are used to combat pests.
• Baits can also be used to trap the pests.
• Other insects or animals can be used to control pests. This is also known as biological pest control.
• Keeping the environment clean and unattractive for pests also forms a part of natural strategies for pest control.

Let's take a look at some tips for combating household pests using natural methods.

Tips for Natural Pest Control Ants
Ants are among the most organised of household pests. Even a crumb of a cookie on the ground can be enough to attract a long trail of ants.

Some methods for natural pest control ants deterrence and eradication are:

• Cinnamon acts as a deterrent for ants. Powder cinnamon and make a boundary using it. Usually ants will stay away from the cinnamon boundary.
• ucumber peels also repel ants. Place some cucumber peels on the ant trail. This will deter the ants from using the path.
• Ants also dislike chalk. Locate the place from where ants are entering your house and draw a line of chalk across it. Ants will avoid crossing the chalked line.
• Vinegar helps in eradicating ants. Mix vinegar and water in equal measures and apply on areas frequented by ants.
• Imported fire ants are major outdoor pests in the US. They can be controlled using natural pest control methods effectively. Other insects such as Phorid flies, also known as decapitating flies, attack worker ants and lay their eggs in the ant's body. When the egg hatches into larva, it goes on to act as a parasite in the ant's body and finally decapitates the fire ant.

Before you decide to use techniques for natural pest control ants for your garden, remember that ants themselves act as important agents in keeping environmental balance. Around acacia trees, they are known to bite other animals, which try to eat the leaves. Ants also play a role in adding to the fertility of soil and in pollinating flowers.

Electromagnetic Pest Control Devices
Electromagnetic pest control devices use household wiring to emit frequencies which repel insects and rodents. The existing electromagnetic fields emanating from household wiring is changed by these electronic pest control devices.

Household pests such as rodents and cockroaches react negatively to such electromagnetic changes and try to keep away from the area. The electromagnetic field is changed at consistent intervals so that the pests do not get used to the sound. It has also been found that rats reduced their food intake when exposed to electromagnetic pest control devices.

Natural Do It Yourself Pest Control for Cockroaches, Mosquitoes and Flies
Chemical pesticide sprays contain ingredients harmful to humans such as Malathion and Chlorpyrifos. Malathion can cause birth defects and cancer in human beings.

Natural do it yourself pest control techniques can help in controlling roaches, mosquitoes and flies without having to use such harmful chemicals.

Some natural do it yourself pest control methods for eradicating cockroaches, mosquitoes and flies include:

• Natural pest control techniques such as baits can be used to lure and trap cockroaches. Put a food item such as a fruit in a jar. Smear the edges of the jar with Vaseline or dust it with talcum powder. The idea is that the cockroach should be able to get in but not get out. The trapped cockroaches can either be killed by pouring hot water over them or they can be discarded.
• Fly papers are baits used to trap flies. To make a fly paper at home, mix maple syrup and sugar. Dip brown paper in the mixture and keep it in the area frequented by flies.
• A mixture of baking soda, sugar and dough can be placed at locations where there are cockroaches. The gas from the baking soda builds up in the digestive system of the roaches causing them burst after some time.
• Citronella oil and Neem oil are natural pest control repellents. A mixture of a little Neem oil (around 2%) and coconut oil can be applied on the skin to repel mosquitoes. Citronella oil is also safe for application on the skin as a mosquito repellent.
• Other pests such as lizards and spiders can help in eradicating roaches and other insects. Think twice before driving out a house lizard!

The importance of a clean environment for pest control cannot be emphasised enough. Make sure that your home is not attractive to pests. Get rid of stagnant water and store away food items. General cleanliness and discarding clutter can greatly help in controlling pests naturally.

All Natural Pest Control in Agriculture
Farmers have also started realising the benefits of using all natural pest control methods in agriculture.

Vineyards are frequently invaded by fruit flies. According to a study conducted by the University of Guelph in Canada, a small insect known as Muscidifurax raptor can be used to control fruit flies. Muscidifurax raptor acts as a parasite which devours the fruit flies.

In another all natural pest control study in the University of British Colombia, a mixture of oils from spices such as clove and mint can repel or eliminate pests for organic farmers.

Natural pest control methods are non-toxic in nature, and should be tried instead of using chemical pesticides.