26 Tips for Controlling Pests In and Around Your Home

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Family Handyman

Repair Torn Screens

Windows screens, mosquito nets, and similar barriers protect against inquisitive summer pests, but only if they provide complete protection. And (as long as the frame is in good shape) repairs are easy and can be done in a few minutes.

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Alternative Food Sources

For the kinder homeowners, there’s another humane pest control option that could save your garden: provide other food sources. If you set up bird feeders (which nearly every animal in your yard will be drawn to) at the opposite end of your home, you could attract animals to that side and make sure that’s where they head in search of food, leaving your plants alone.

This method works best with smaller animals and requires a constant supply of food, but it isn’t always dependable. Wild animals have an instinct to forage and explore, which means they will often end up in your garden anyway.

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White Vinegar to Deter Ants

Ants leave a trail which makes it easier for other ants from the colony to find their way to food. To wash away the trail, use a natural solution made from 1/4 cup white vinegar, 2 cups of water, and 10 drops of peppermint or eucalyptus oil and help eliminate house pests.