Have you spotted pests in your home and you need a quick rescue? Did your friend ask for a handy eco-friendly solution to keeping pests at bay after an infestation? Keeping the home safe from chemicals, whilst ensuring the planet doesn't suffer as you keep the home pest-free is vital for everyone's well-being. That's why today we present a list of eco-friendly ways that will be your trusted partner in defending your home from pesky pests.

Use a vinegar spray

Vinegar isn't solely meant to make your salads yummier. Aside from being an excellent descaling solution for your kettle, vinegar can also be the best eco-friendly, cost-effective, pest-repellent. No insect loves vinegar, making it one of the best ways to keep pests away from your kitchen and the rest of the home. Mix ¼ cup white vinegar and 2 cups of water in a spraying bottle and spray the solution equally to all the problematic areas. Windows, doors, countertops, and other surfaces that attract insects will now be pest-resistant. Forget about ever dealing with cockroaches, spiders or ants again. For those who don’t like the smell of vinegar, a few drops of peppermint oil will mask the scent making it more bearable.

Seal the food well

Open cereal boxes, leftover snacks lying in an opened bag and food leftovers improperly stored will attract pests like cockroaches. To prevent bugs and rodents from smelling the food, keep all the bags tightly sealed so that the smell of food doesn't spread throughout the house. Keep the cupboards crumb-free and clean to make them an undesirable location for pests.

No entrance points, no pests

You cannot have pests in your home when they cannot enter the home. Use retractable window fly screens to seal up all the potential entry places for bugs and insects. Inspect your home, identify gaps and cracks and start making a plan. Piping, vents, door frames, and windows are the most common gaps through which insects find their way to your indoors. If you spot any cracks on your window or door frames, use caulk to fill them. Replace ripped window screens with new ones to block out pests and prevent rodents from entering your home.

Good hygiene is vital

Proper home hygiene is vital for a healthy lifestyle. If you spot cockroaches, it means you haven't done your fair share of keeping the house clean in a long while. The last thing you want is dirty, rotten food lying around, attracting a variety of pests. Rats, mice, and ants are other potential visitors aside from cockroaches, who love food leftovers in the cupboards. Dispose of all the rubbish properly, keeping the bin and bags tightly sealed. If you're not very good with pouring food and drinks, and spills occur regularly, make sure to always wipe your countertops after pouring to remove the sticky spills. Keep the garbage disposals clean, vacuum carpets, and sweep the floors regularly to keep the pests away in an eco-friendly manner.

Mix essential oils

Have you ever used essential oils to relax? Aside from aroma therapeutic properties, they also help fend off pests from your home. Mix them into a water-based solution to protect the home from bugs. Lavender oils, catnip, citronella, tea tree, eucalyptus and lemongrass are powerful bug-repellent scents. Whether you prefer to mix the scents or use them individually, the oils will prevent the bugs from infesting your home after you spray the solution on the critical spots. All it takes is 1 cup of water and 25-30 drops of oil(s). Fill a small spray bottle with the solution, shake and spray.

Bay leaf keeps pests at bay

Sometimes you won't even know if pests are hiding in your kitchen. Maybe you weren't home for a while or you just moved in and want to ensure the home is bug-free. With bay leaves, pests that might live in the pantry will quickly run away. The smell of bay leaf is particularly unpleasant for bugs. Whether you choose fresh or dried bay leaf, bugs will despise it either way. Top the food bags with a bay leaf to ensure pests will never be drawn to food remains.

Protecting your home from pests is vital. However, doing it in an eco-friendly way is even more important and beneficial for the environment. With previously listed tips, your home will be bug-free and keep the planet safe too.

Guest Contributor: Diana Smith