Finding Pest control solutions can be a challenge for those seeking to “go green” and for individuals who might be concerned about the health effects of synthetic chemicals in their homes. Fortunately, “green” methods of pest control have become increasingly trendy in recent years. Because of this increased demand for natural products, many pest companies now offer Natural Pest treatment options. The question remains: What, exactly, are “green” or “natural” methods of pest control?

Common Ingredients in Natural Pest Treatments

Natural pest treatments are composed of ingredients derived from nature and do not contain any synthetic chemicals. An all natural flea and tick treatment, used by a pest control company, might contain cedar oil or garlic as a main ingredient; each of which effectively repels fleas and ticks from infested areas. A common natural mosquito treatment used by pest control companies is comprised of only garlic juice and water. Surprisingly, this simple solution can kill mosquito larvae on contact and repel adult mosquitos for up to one month. Here are some additional examples of ingredients in natural pest control treatments and their uses:

•Citrus oil kills fleas on contact.

•Neem oil can be used to repel fleas and mosquitos.

•Lemon grass, sage, and rosemary can be burned or used in a solution to repel mosquitos.

Habitat Alteration as Natural Pest Control

While natural pest treatments often include insect-repelling solutions with all-natural ingredients, not all methods of natural pest control rely on a spray. For example, eliminating pest habitats around a home or business, like removing standing water from a mosquito-infested area, is an effective natural pest treatment. Planting bug-repelling flowers is another natural method of pest control. Marigold plants, for instance, are a natural bug repellant and can be planted around a home to repel several species of flying insects.

A less conventional method of natural pest control involves introducing natural predators of the pest to the infested area. Brown bats, for instance, can consume up to one thousand mosquitos in one night. Creating a habitat for these flying mammals would tame a mosquito infestation and benefit local wildlife.

Benefits of Natural Pest Control Methods

Clearly, there are many benefits of adopting natural pest control practices. First and foremost, natural pest treatments are safe for use around humans and pets. They do not contain synthetic chemicals that many families wish to avoid. Second, natural methods of pest control have little impact on the surrounding ecosystem – making it the environmentally friendly option. Certainly, the ultimate benefit is controlling pest infestations with peace of mind.