Natural Pesticides for your Home

In my quest to detox my life, I have finally gotten around to getting rid of our bug guy.  I know, I know.  You can't believe I have a bug guy, right?  Well, in the years we have had him, he was never allowed to spray inside or in the backyard where our chickens are.  I have no idea why we have kept him around so long, since he was only treating the front and perimeter of our home.  Regardless, he has been fired.  Sorry, bug guy!  It isn't you, its me.  I am sure you will be able to find another home owner that might be as cool as I am.  I wish you the best.

Anyway, now I am faced with the task of figuring out how to keep bugs out of my house with natural pesticides.  Honestly, we don't really find bugs in our home.  Any bugs that make their way into our backyard are welcome, because the chickens LOVE bugs.  

I am looking for homemade sprays that I can make so that I can spray doorways and window sills.  Just to tell all the bugs that they really don't want to come inside and should actually make their way to the backyard.  Because the backyard is LOTS of fun.  

So, what are my options for natural pesticides?  A quick google request bombarded me with LOTS of information!  Too much. As usual.  So, I am simplifying all of it here for you, and for myself, the options that I think are reasonable and easy to do.  

Neem Oil

Neem oil is a natural vegetable oil extracted from the leaves and seeds from the Neem tree.  Neem oil is a natural product and a powerful pesticide.  How do you use it?  You can make it into a spray!  Which is perfect for me!  Simply put 1/2 ounce of organic Neem oil along with 1/2 ounce of liquid castile soap into a spray bottle.  Add two quarts of warm water and stir to mix.  It is ready to use immediately!

Garlic, Onion, and Cayenne Spray

This is as real as you can get!  I think it is best to prepare this spray and use it all up immediately in your bug spraying efforts.  If you don't use it all, stick it in the fridge (it is food after all) and use within a week.  All you do is add a couple minced garlic cloves and a quartered onion to a quart of water.  Allow this to sit for an hour or so.  Strain the water and add a teaspoon of cayenne plus a tablespoon of Castile soap to the garlic/onion water.  Throw this into a spray bottle and go crazy!  If you want to kick this up a notch, add a few drops of Young Living's Repel Aroma blend.  

Vinegar and cayenne

Bugs don't really like vinegar or cayenne!  It makes sense to blend these two.  Do a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water.  Add a teaspoon or two of cayenne to the mixture, shake to combine.  Spray wherever you need to keep bugs away!

Peppermint and Citrus Essential Oils

Spiders in particular don't care for peppermint or citrus essential oils.  I LOVE the idea of making a water/peppermint/citrus blend and spraying that all over my house.  How AMAZING would that smell???  You can even add a tablespoon of Castile Soap to this mixture!

Diatomaceous Earth

This is good stuff.  Have you ever used it?  There are probably 100s of uses for DE!  DE is a fine powder that when it comes in contact with a bug, the powder absorbs lipids from the waxy outer layer of the exoskeleton and dehydrates the insect.  Go ahead and sprinkle away!  Just remember to reapply after it rains.  🙂

Herbal Sachets

I am TOTALLY making these for my chicken coop!  I can fill them with mint, clove, bay leaves, and eucalyptus to repel flies!  Flies LOVE my chicken coop.  Growing some basil near the coop will help, too! I would like to put dried mint in the nest boxes, too.  I bet the chickens will think that is lovely.  

So, what do YOU like to do for natural pesticides?  Do you have some favorite options that work really well for you?  Please share with us in the comments!  We love learning from our readers!

Pin it!