Keep your bathroom and kitchen areas as dry as possible. Fix leaking pipes. Don’t let water collect in trays under plants. Don’t leave your pet’s water out overnight.
Wipe up any spills with soap and water. A paper towel or dish towel alone may not be enough. [3] X Trustworthy Source National Resources Defence Council Multinational environmental advocacy group focused on grassroots activism and legislative action Go to source Regularly unplug your toaster and remove crumbs. Store your food in sealed glass or plastic containers. Lids that clamp shut work better than screw-on lids. Keep ripe fruit,[4] X Trustworthy Source National Resources Defence Council Multinational environmental advocacy group focused on grassroots activism and legislative action Go to source as well as rice and other long-term storage items, in the refrigerator. Store pet food in a clean, sealed garbage can so that rodents cannot get to it. Wash dishes daily, or submerge them in soapy water until you can get to them. Take out the trash daily. Used sealed trash cans and be sure to keep them clean. [5] X Trustworthy Source National Resources Defence Council Multinational environmental advocacy group focused on grassroots activism and legislative action Go to source
Vacuum regularly. In particular, vacuum the affected areas using a crevice tool. Dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag in a sealed plastic bag, so no pests can escape. Comb and wash your pet frequently. If it has fleas, talk to your vet about flea medication. [7] X Trustworthy Source National Resources Defence Council Multinational environmental advocacy group focused on grassroots activism and legislative action Go to source Get rid of clutter where pests hide, such as stacks of newspaper, magazines, or cardboard. Clean appliances by unplugging them and sweeping them out, vacuuming, then wiping down with a damp rag. Make sure to let the appliance dry completely before reconnecting the appliance to the power source. Store clothing and linens in sealed plastic boxes or bags to protect them from moths and to remove homes for mice and rats.
Use silicone caulk to seal any cracks and crevices in baseboards, moldings, cupboards, pipes, ducts, sinks, toilets or electrical outlets. [8] X Trustworthy Source National Resources Defence Council Multinational environmental advocacy group focused on grassroots activism and legislative action Go to source Place screens in front of heating and cooling vents. Repair holes in existing screens. Install screens and weather-stripping on doors and windows. Keep vegetation, mulch, stacked firewood, and other debris at least 18 inches (45. 7 cm) form your home. Ensure all cracks, crevices and gaps around pipes and other penetrations on the walls of your home are properly sealed.
Dust boric acid on cracks and crevices. It is poisonous to crawling insects like ants, lizards, cockroaches, and silverfish, but is far less toxic to humans. [9] X Trustworthy Source National Resources Defence Council Multinational environmental advocacy group focused on grassroots activism and legislative action Go to source Try tamper-resistant bait boxes, which are safer than sprays, powders or pellets, all of which spread pesticide residues. Bait boxes are particularly recommended in areas where food, plates, or cookery are stored. Look for bait boxes that use a nonvolatile chemical like boron, and be sure to keep them out of reach of children. [10] X Trustworthy Source National Resources Defence Council Multinational environmental advocacy group focused on grassroots activism and legislative action Go to source Try insecticidal or fatty-acid soaps. They kill soft-bodied insects like fleas and mites on contact, cut are practically harmless to humans and mammals, unless ingested. [11] X Trustworthy Source National Resources Defence Council Multinational environmental advocacy group focused on grassroots activism and legislative action Go to source
Pesticides labeled “broad spectrum” kill many pests, while those labeled “selective” work only against a few. Read the directions for use to be sure the pesticide will work for you. [13] X Trustworthy Source National Resources Defence Council Multinational environmental advocacy group focused on grassroots activism and legislative action Go to source Start with less toxic pesticides. Check the label for the “signal” word that indicates how dangerous the product is to humans. [14] X Trustworthy Source National Resources Defence Council Multinational environmental advocacy group focused on grassroots activism and legislative action Go to source “Danger” means poisonous or corrosive. “Warning” means moderately hazardous. “Caution” means least hazardous. Never use outdoor pesticides indoors. They last longer and are more volatile. Provide adequate ventilation. Open windows and run fans. If the pesticide requires an unventilated room, leave the house. Apply sprays to limited areas, such as cracks. Always remove pots, pans, dishes and food before spraying. Let the spray dry before replacing. Never dump leftover pesticides in the garbage or down the drain. Check with your public works department about how to dispose of them.
Consider a raised bed, particularly for clay soil with poor drainage. Before planting, try tilling to break up the dirt, and add sand for better drainage. Clean up debris to remove homes for pests. Mulch to prevent weeds, but be sure to pull back the mulch from the plants you are growing, as mulch can provide a home for insect pests. [15] X Research source
Select healthy seedlings that are appropriate for your area. Native plants, in particular, are frequently more resistant to local pests. Alternate rows with different types of plants, and mix ornamentals in amongst your edibles. [16] X Research source Pests are less likely to spread if another edible plant is not nearby. Don’t plant the same plants in the same space year after year. That way, you can save your plants from being ravaged by pests that survived the winter. To get rid of nematodes (worms that eat roots), plant a thick cover of marigolds one season, then turn them under the soil. Next year, you can plant whatever you like with no fear of nematodes. [17] X Research source
Redroot pigweed will attract blister beetles away from tomatoes. Be sure to check the weed each morning and shake the beetles off into soapy water to get rid of them. Arugula will attract flea beetles, which also eat eggplant, brassicas, and potatoes. Check the arugula every day and use a handheld vacuum to suck up the beetles. Planting nasturtiums at the base of tomato plants will attract aphids. Remove the flower and throw it away once it has attracted a good number of aphids.
Install a purple martin house. These bird eat many of the larger insects that pray on garden plants. Plant flowers that will attract beneficial insects, such as wasps that eat caterpillars. Try members of the umbel family: dill, Queen-Anne’s-lace, parsley, and carrots. Sweet alyssum, all kinds of mint, and chamomile are also effective. [19] X Research source Your local County Cooperative Extension Service, nursery, or garden association will have more information on how to attract beneficial predators. Purchase predatory insects or microscopic pathogens such as fungi and bacteria. You can often buy them at your local garden store.
When covering seeded beds or transplants, leave plenty of slack in the material to allow for growth, and be sure to bury the edges in the soil so that pests don’t sneak in. You can leave row covers over crops like onions and carrots all season. Other crops, such as beans or cabbage should be uncovered once they are well grown. Plants like squash that require pollination by insects must be uncovered when they start to flower, or can be hand pollinated. In hot weather, be sure to remove covers to prevent excessive heat.
Pesticides labeled “broad spectrum” kill many pests, while those labeled “selective” work only against a few. Read the directions for use to be sure the pesticide will work for you. [22] X Trustworthy Source National Resources Defence Council Multinational environmental advocacy group focused on grassroots activism and legislative action Go to source Check the label for the “signal” word that indicates how dangerous the product is to humans. [23] X Trustworthy Source National Resources Defence Council Multinational environmental advocacy group focused on grassroots activism and legislative action Go to source “Danger” means poisonous or corrosive. “Warning” means moderately hazardous. “Caution” means least hazardous. Never dump leftover pesticides on the lawn, in the garbage or down the drain. Check with your public works department about how to dispose of them.
