Top Tips for Fume-Free Natural Pest Control

Bugs are a pain in the rear end, we all agree. In certain areas, the risk of mosquito borne diseases far outweighs the risk that most people see in spraying pesticides around their home. However, do it yourself pest control doesn't need to be an 'either-or' prospect, where you’re torn between never going outside and having no fresh air, or putting up with inhaling chemicals as you go about your daily business. Today we check out some natural pest control options that keep everyone happy … and in many cases that includes the bugs!

Install screen doors

Bugs belong in your yard - as annoying as they can be at times, they do have an ecological role to play! However, you can keep them out of your house (where they DON'T belong) quite simply with a screen door. If you don't own your home or don't have the spare cash to put up a conventional screen, custom screen doors are an excellent option. They install in minutes, are extremely cheap and are portable - no hardware damage for landlords to worry about!

Attract natural predators

This is an effective pest control option, and gives you some wildlife to enjoy in your yard that is a little more interesting than flies! Birds and bats are both good but hunters. You need to look at your yard from an animal's point of view, and provide it with three things:

• Food
• Water
• Shelter

When you're designing your landscape, use mostly plants that are native to the area, so that you'll attract bats and birds that are native to the area. Moving water is great for attracting wildlife - every critter knows that fresh aerated water tastes better than a scummy pond. You can also place bird feeders around the yard - but don't provide too much, to ensure that they're still hungry for bugs.

Empty standing water containers

Mosquitoes breed in standing water, so never keep it around the yard. If you have a pet, look into keeping their water inside, or getting an alternative pet drinking arrangement that doesn't allow mosquito access. If you’re disciplined, you can just change the water every couple of days.

Use natural ant remedies

Even screen doors don't keep away ants - you can mix 1/8 teaspoon Boric acid powder with ½ teaspoon of honey, and pop it in a soda bottle cap. Don't put it where your children or pets can find it, though.

Top 7 Reasons to Get a Magnetic Instant Screen Door!

Have you been tossing up between going au naturale with your yard entrance, and putting in the capital to install a screen door? There is actually a halfway point that suits an enormous amount of people - custom screen doors made to close magnetically behind you! Most people that see them fall in love with the idea … if you aren't yet convinced, though, here are the top 7 reasons to install one in your home.

They're cheap and install instantly

Custom screens cost as little as a tenth of standard screen doors, and can be installed in about 5 minutes flat. It doesn't take much money, or much time to start enjoying all that gorgeous fresh (bug free!) air in your own home.

They're temporary and flexible

They can be installed in rented homes without any landlord problems; they are easy to take down over winter when you doors are shut anyway; they can come with you from your main home to your vacation home.

Pest control without the chemical cocktail
If you've always figured that inhaling a little flyspray was the lesser of two evils compared to having flies walking germs all over your home, you'll jump at the opportunity to have the best of both worlds … a cheap pest control solution that doesn't harm either you or the environment.

Great for kids

A lot of families give up on the idea of screen doors until every child in the house is at least 10 … they are broken too easily, and too expensive to repair. Instant magnetic screens won’t break when pushed, they simply separate to allow the monsters through! Nor do you have to worry about whether the screen is closed or not,

Instant pet doors

If you're renting (or just didn’t fancy the idea of chopping holes in your doors!), magnetic instant screen doors can make any one of your doors into a pet door.

A cheap and easy solution for French doors

Any other screening solution for French doors is incredibly expensive and difficult to install compared to custom magnetic screen doors.

Hands-free entry and exit

If you like to dine alfresco, or just like the way that having an unscreened open door allows you to get in and out quickly and easily, you'll definitely appreciate the way magnetic screens allow just the same thing … without the bugs!