Everyone has to deal with unwanted pests at some point in their lives. Here are some ways that you can deal with these unwanted guests when they arrive at your doorstep.
Roaches
Sometimes you unwittingly invite pests into your house. For example, roaches frequently hitch a ride into your house in a bag or box from the grocery store. Bags and boxes are also the perfect environment for a roach to lay its eggs. So instead of a hitch hiking roach, you may instead get the entire baby clan. Obviously if you see hundreds of roaches pouring out of your cupboard, you will want to call a professional, but if you just spot one or two you can hold your ground with commercial cockroach bait or bug spray. Another option is to try a mixture of one part boric acid, two parts flour and one part cocoa. Sprinkle this mixture in the back of cupboards or other little nooks and crannies, but this mixture is toxic, so it keep away from pets and children.
Moths
It is uncanny how a moth knows to start its meal on your favorite wool coat or sweater, but they do. Dried lavender or cedar chips are a great, natural deterrent. You can also use mothballs, but they may leave a less pleasant odor behind.
Termites
What the moth can do to your sweater, the termite can do to your house, so this is the one time that it is always better to bring in a professional immediately than to give it a try on your own. With termites, the old saying, time is money, rings pretty true.
Ants
If you find that you are sharing your house with an ant migration, then set up some commercial ant traps or spray with a good bug spray. There is also the homemade deterrent that you can use and it is simple and non toxic. There are several spices that ants just do not like in the least, and they are cinnamon, black pepper and salt. Ants are also repelled by talcum powder.
Spiders
If you want a natural solution to repel spiders, and most other insects for that matter, then use hedge apples, which are Osage Oranges. Cut the hedge apple in half and leave the open fruit in the room, or you can keep the fruit whole for a longer life. Make sure to place fruit in container, because over time it will rot.
Aphids
Generally only a problem for your houseplants, aphids are easy to handle with cooking oil and dish soap. Mix Ivory dish soap and water in a spray bottle and add a splash of cooking oil. Then spray it on the leaves. You can rinse plants after about an hour, and your aphid problem will be solved.
Mouse
Generally a mouse is no happier to se you than you are to see him. To get rid of a mouse, you can always use a trap. Use gloves when you are setting the trap to keep y our scent off of it. Use a dollop of peanut butter or a little chunk of bacon as bait. Either a sticky or a snap trap work quite effectively.
Raccoons
One of the more clever pests, once raccoons find food in your trash, they will be back. If you put a tiny amount of ammonia in your trash bag before kicking it to the curb, you will find that the raccoons will simply go next door.
Squirrels and Chipmunks
As the cold weather approaches, you may frequently find that your chimney is an inviting spot for both species. To evacuate your chimney before lighting the first fire of the year, simply place a shallow baking dish of ammonia in the fireplace and open the flue. The fumes generally send them on their way.
Author Resource:
After acting as a contributing editor for http://www.americanartisanart.com/ , Angela Glancy, an award winning designer in her own right offers tips on displaying contemporary metal wall art and large wall sculptures.
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