Even animal lovers lose some of their compassion when insects make their lives miserable during the summer months. It is hard to maintain a peaceful attitude towards nature’s tiniest creatures when you are covered in mosquito bites or the queen of cockroaches is all but smiling at you from one of your kitchen cabinets. Most of us react to these nuisances by spraying them with insecticides that are as bad for us and the environment as they are for the insects we want rid of. The truth is that we do not need these harsh chemical sprays to eliminate bothersome insects. You can use natural insect pest controls in your home and garden and they are often just as effective but much less dangerous.

In Your Home

The creatures that can drive us mad indoors include ants, cockroaches and mosquitoes. Screens on the doors and windows of your property provide a measure of natural indoor pest control against mosquitoes. You can eliminate the temptation for ants and cockroaches by ensuring you never leave crumbs of food lying around. You should also take care to store food efficiently so that pests cannot access it.

There are also several other natural insect pest controls you can implement inside your home. Burn a citronella candle to deter any stray mosquito that gets inside your home. Use garlic, cayenne pepper, cucumber peelings, mint, dishwashing soap and peppermint essential oil to deter ants. Natural insect pest controls that work well on cockroaches include cucumber peelings, sugar mixed with baking soda, bay leaves and garlic.

In Your Garden

Insects that destroy the garden that you have worked so hard to cultivate are also a major inconvenience. Luckily there are several natural insect pest controls you can use in your garden. One such remedy is garlic fire spray which is made by mixing kerosene, water, garlic, chili peppers, vegetable oil and soap. Fish fertilizer is another natural insect pest control that works well in gardens. You can also deter pests by planting basil marigolds, sage, lemongrass and oregano and attract their natural predators with geraniums, yarrow, angelica and cilantro.

On Your Person

If you are a fan of the outdoors and you enjoy spending time in rural areas during the summer months then you will also need natural insect pest control in order to avoid being bitten. Lemon is a natural bug repellent, as is a mixture of rubbing alcohol and Avon Skin-So-Soft. You may also wish to try peppermint or lemongrass oil. It is also a good idea to wear dark clothing and avoid hairspray or any product that has a floral or fruity odor.