Safe Alternatives for Weed Control, Pesticides & Insecticides
Pesticides have been proven to have negative impacts on health and our environment. The risk for leukemia increases by four to seven times for children, ages 10 and under, whose parents use home or garden pesticides. Many herbs and essential oils are effective alternative solutions.
Getting Rid of Insects & Weeds - Safely
🌿 Weeds
Hot Water Treatment
Hot water will kill most unwanted plants -- just boil some water and pour it over the plant you want to kill.
Hydrogen Peroxide Solution
Put 1 oz 3% hydrogen peroxide in 1 quart of water. Use it on trees and plants as a natural fungicide, insecticide, and weed killer.
Vinegar Treatment
Vinegar has become the new organic solution for killing off weeds. Adding lemon juice to vinegar increases the weed-killing effectiveness.
🐛 Insect Control
🍺 Beer Trap
Place several dishes containing beer just outside your backyard. The beer will attract bees, flies and other insects away from your event area.
🏔️ Diatomaceous Earth
An all-natural organic pest control solution made from mineral remains of single cell aquatic plants. Kills by abrading and dehydrating crawling insects.
🧼 Soapy Water
Mix a few drops of mild dishwashing soap with water in a spray bottle. This won't kill insects, but will irritate them and encourage them to leave.
🧂 Epsom Salt
Mix 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt in 1 gallon of water and spray on plants to get rid of cabbage worms and spider mites.
🍄 Fungus Control
Vinegar Fungicide
Mix 3 tablespoons of natural apple cider vinegar in one gallon of water. Adding 1 tablespoon of molasses per gallon increases effectiveness.
Baking Soda Solution
Mix 1 heaped tablespoon of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of horticultural oil into one gallon of water.
🪴 House Plants & Garden Care
Natural Plant Spray
Make a mixture of 1 tablespoon liquid dishwashing soap and 1 cup of cooking oil. Mix about 3 tablespoons of this concentrate with a quart of water in a pump bottle and spray on plants.
Citrus Solution
Soak citrus rind (lemon, orange, grapefruit) in water for a few days. Pour the water into a pump bottle and spray on plants.
🎯 Specific Pest Solutions
🐛 Aphids
Wash off with strong water blast or spray with safe dish soap mixed in water, then rinse off.
🍓 Fruit Flies
Use apple cider vinegar trap covered with plastic wrap with small holes, or leave soda bottles with small amounts of liquid.
🐌 Slugs & Snails
Half-bury a shallow container of beer outside your garden. They'll be attracted to it and fall in.
🦟 White Flies
Spray 1 tsp of dishwashing soap in 1 gallon of water to eliminate white flies and aphids.
🦋 Moths
Prevention is key. Store clothes in airtight containers with lavender sachets, cedar chips, or mint tea bags.
🐭 Rats & Mice
Use snap traps baited with apple, potato, bacon, or peanut butter. The most efficient system: a cat!
🛡️ Prevention & Repelling
🧹 Sanitation
- •Clean up food spills immediately
- •Store attractive foods like flour in the refrigerator
- •Fix leaky faucets and pipes promptly
- •Keep doors and windows well screened
- •Clean and air clothes regularly, store in sealed boxes
🌿 Natural Repellents
Essential Oil Repellent Mix
Safe for plants, pets, and people. Repels ants, aphids, beetles, flies, mosquitoes, moths, and more:
- • 2 cups water
- • 4 drops each: lavender, lemongrass, peppermint, rosemary, and sage essential oils
- • Combine in spray bottle; shake well before use
🌱 Plant-Based Deterrents
Basil
Natural insect repellent
Bay Leaves
Keeps pantry pests away
Black Pepper
Deters ants & beetles
Garlic
Repels Japanese beetles
⚠️ Important Safety Notes
- • Be VERY cautious when using Borax - toxic to pets, especially cats
- • Do not use essential oils around birds - may be toxic
- • Poisons are not recommended for rat control due to safety risks
- • Always ensure traps are safe from children and pets