What are the few things that come to your mind when you think of summer? Holidays, vacationing, resorts, camping, pool time, and hot weather! There is one more thing that is omnipresent during summers, and though it is not such a pleasant presence, it comes with the package!

Yes, we are talking about those annoying bugs. Those insects always buzzing around us is definitely not be a part of our ideal summer fun. But how do we get rid of them? By using pesticides? But aren’t these chemicals harmful? Fret not! Mother Nature has yet again taken care of our problems. We all have not-so-secret ingredients at home that can take care of this nuisance – and that too, naturally!

Why Natural Remedies To Get Rid of Pests?

Though chemicals are effective enough to get rid of pests immediately, they are not completely safe, especially, if you have pets, kids, or elder people at your home. They can cause severe allergic reactions and breathing-related diseases. They contain DEET i.e. N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide that can have worse results if consumed by any means.

This is the reason more and more people are trying to switch to effective home remedies rather than using harmful chemicals.

How To Get Rid Of Pests?

Were you aware of the fact that your salad fixings can keep the multi-legged home invaders at bay?

We all definitely love food, but not the ants that constantly roam around in search of delicacies. A quick fix for such pests is the cucumber peel.

The more bitter it is, the better a cucumber peel can be used as an ant deterrent. Spreading cucumber peels on the entrance, doors, and windows of your home and on places from where ants can enter will send them scurrying back. Ants and a few other pests have a natural aversion to a cucumber peel. It contains a compound, trans-2-noneal that repels the insects that come in contact with it. The compound is even used in several insecticides.

Another way of using cucumber to ward off pests is to rub the inside of the peel along the way of ants and leave a piece at the entrance. Whichever method you use, make sure you replace the old peels with the fresh ones as the dried peels are not as effective as the fresher ones.

Other Home Remedies For Getting Rid Of Pests

Though cucumber peel is the best way to get rid of pests, there are a few other ways that can help you deal with those annoying pests. You can try them out when you’re running out of cucumber at home!

1. Lemons

Most of the pests, especially ants, get repelled by the scent of citrus fruits. And out of them, lemon juice is found to be most effective. Here is how you can use it:

Things Required

• 4 cups of warm water
• 1 cup lemon juice
• A spray bottle
• A clean cloth

How To Use It As Pesticide

1. Mix lemon juice and water in the proportions mentioned above.
2. Add the mixture in a spray bottle and spray it on the areas prone to insects.
3. After spraying, mop the lemon water with a clean cloth. This will prevent the entry of insects in your home.

You can also use the leftover lemon peels by blending them along with water. Use this solution to clean or wipe the surface.

2. Pepper

The smell of pepper is not at all appealing to pests, and as soon as they sense the smell, they vacate the place.

All you need to do is sprinkle black pepper powder at the entrance of your home and on the places from where they enter. The pests will run away instantly.

3. White Vinegar

This effective home remedy has been used since years to keep the bugs away. Vinegar has insecticidal and fungicidal properties that prevent the build-up of pest (ants) trails. Here is how you can use vinegar to keep the pests away.

Things Required

• 1 cup of white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2 cups of boiling water

How To Use It As Pesticide

1. Mix all the ingredients together and transfer the mixture into a spray bottle.
2. Spray it around the corners of your home and kitchen or in the places that are attacked by the pests quite often.
3. Wipe it off with a clean cloth.

The pests will vanish within a few minutes of using the vinegar solution.

4. Baby Powder

Pests hate the smell of scented products such as talcum and soap. Sprinkling baby powder over the places attacked by pests will help in keeping them away.

Same is the case with perfume. Take a strong scented perfume. Soak it in cotton balls and keep them in the entrance areas. The pests won’t enter because of the strong scent.

5. Cornmeal

Ants cannot digest cornmeal and die instantly. Sprinkle it over the affected areas and pests will die there itself.

6. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is another non-toxic way to get rid of pests. Sprinkle cinnamon powder in your kitchen and the nesting areas of the pests. Since cinnamon has a strong scent, the pests are repelled.

7. Coffee Grounds

Pests do not like coffee grounds either and they try to avoid it. Powder coffee grounds and sprinkle the powder on the floor. The pests won’t enter the house.

Tips For Keeping Pests Away

1. Keep the kitchen and floor clean.
2. Clear away the spilled food or liquid right away.
3. Make sure that the garbage cans are tightly sealed.
4. If you have a pet at your home, clean its food immediately.

Remember the golden rule – keeping a clean house is the best way to keep pests away from the house. Along with a clean house, just follow the simple cucumber hack and say goodbye to pests forever.

How do you deal with the pests at your home? Did you ever try the cucumber hack? If no, try this simple way to get rid of pests. Hope you liked the article. Share your views in the comments box below.

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The post How To Use Cucumber To Ward Off Pests appeared first on STYLECRAZE.

by Jyotsana rao via STYLECRAZE