Get Pests Under Control

When pests invade your garden and your home, you’re left with potentially large problems on your hands.  Pests eat your plants, can harm your family members and pets and can even destroy your homes.  The climate of central Florida, including Melbourne, Florida, Cocoa, Florida and Cocoa Beach, Florida, makes the area the perfect environment for several different types of pests.  There are both natural and chemical measures you can take to get rid of pests and prevent them from coming back.

Protective Plants

Natural remedies have been used for hundreds of years.  One of the most common natural forms of pest management is to use protective plants, both in your garden and in your home.  Certain herbs – basil, lavender, spearmint and oregano, among others – are excellent at repelling all kinds of insects.  You can leave them in an herb box on your porch or keep them inside the home on your windowsill.

Some flowers not only look beautiful in your garden but can also stop pests from entering and destroying your more vulnerable plants.  Add some marigolds, chrysanthemums and chamomile to the edges of your garden bed and even amongst your other plants to discourage flying and crawling insects, spiders and even rodents.

Some plants actually eat insects.  Both the Venus Flytrap and pitcher plants trap unsuspecting bugs and ingest them.  These plants can be kept either inside the house or out on the patio.

Homemade Remedies

You can use items found in your kitchen to make all kinds of pest control substances.  A small amount of apple cider vinegar with a couple of drops of dish soap is a small cup covered with perforated plastic wrap is an excellent way to attract and trap fruit flies.  Canola oil sprayed on plants works as a natural insecticide.  Chili peppers in water also functions in a similar fashion.  Black pepper oil repels mammals.

Chemical Pest Control

There are all kinds of different chemical pesticides, most specific to the type of pest you are trying to eradicate, available for purchase at most stores.  Chemicals are quick and efficient.  However, if chemicals are used incorrectly, they can be harmful to your garden, your pets and your family members.  You need to be sure of the types of chemicals you are using and that they are safe for use around your house and those who reside there.

You can control pests yourself.  But if your unwanted visitors are proving too difficult for you to handle alone, you should call a professional.  For all your pest management needs, turn to your local Melbourne, Cocoa or Cocoa Beach Florida pest control specialist!