How To Pest-Proof Your Yard Naturally

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Rid your backyard of annoying bugs without exposing your family to chemicals and toxins.

To complete this How-To you will need:

Candles, both regular and citronella
Basil, mint, and thyme
Plants that bugs hate
Fans
Neem oil
A birdhouse
Deodorant

Step 1: Eat by candlelight

Light candles when you're outside; research shows that people who are near candles get fewer bug bites than those without protection.

Step 2: Sprinkle herbs

Sprinkle some basil, mint, and thyme around your garden. These herbs are so good at repelling ants that many countries put them in bags of grain to keep the little buggers out.

Step 3: Get rid of standing water

Get rid of standing water; it's where mosquitoes breed and lay eggs. Empty any toys, buckets, plastic covers, or planters that have collected rainwater, and change the water in birdbaths and fountains at least once a week.

Tip: If you do get bitten, rub the area with a little deodorant; the aluminum in it will help counteract the sting.

Step 4: Plant flora bugs hate

Plant geraniums and pyrethrum; mosquitoes hate their scent. Keep deer—and therefore the ticks they carry—out by planting ferns, daffodils, tiger lilies, snapdragons, and morning glories.

Step 5: Use a fan

Place a few mini fans around your yard. Mosquitoes stay clear of them because they're not strong enough fliers to handle the wind.

Step 6: Use neem oil

Buy some neem oil. Available in health food and garden stores, it repels 200 kinds of insects, including mosquitoes, whiteflies, gnats, and ticks, and it causes no side effects at all. Just spray a little of it wherever pests like to hang out. You even can spray it directly on plants to prevent bugs from eating them.

Tip: Pure neem oil is safe for your skin, but certain neem oil pesticide mixtures have toxic additives, so read labels carefully.

Step 7: Get a birdhouse

Get a birdhouse. Birds love eating the same flying bugs that make your life miserable, making it a win-win situation.

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Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• bugs
• chemicals
• how-to
• howcast
• pest
• yard

[paleda]

Wow, this is awesome. I love the whole all natural way since I've got little kids and animals running around the yard half the time. Perfect video for the upcoming summer months

[Well894]

This tips are fantastic. I've been having a problem with ants around the house, and this gets rid of them easily. The best part is that there's no side affects. Wonderful! :D 5/5

[popstarprincess123]

gardeners in the house

[sushisuhshi]

so spray perfume all over your bird house

[kendeezy21]

now thats whats up!! 5/5!!!

[Brue2]

Where im from morning glorey is a pest and illigel to plant

[MrKizza676]

lol morning glorys lol

[999663isback]

naaa-EEEEEEEEM

[JessicaFisher80]

lol weed. (:

[killman369547]

hehe the only thing u need really is a shit load of bug zappers

[perpexel]

lol I hide apple slices dipped in sugar under my neighbours lawn

[stevensj13]

I am pretty sure that deodorant is not optional for most people lol