Discourage insects with good housekeeping. Seal cracks, keep windows and doors airtight, and keep food and water in sealed containers.

Ants

• Use cinnamon, cream of tartar, or red chili powder to hinder entry.
• Wash kitchen counters with equal parts white vinegar and water.
• Plant pennyroyal, peppermint and tansy around your home.

Roaches

• Remove all sources of food and water and hiding places such as old newspapers and other clutter.
• Place bay leaves around cracks in room.
• Set out dishes of equal amounts baking soda and powdered sugar. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Fleas and Ticks

• Vacuum every day for a week and throw away the vacuum bag each day.
• Place eucalyptus leaves in your pet's sleeping area.

Garden Pesticide Alternatives
Mosquitoes

• Eliminate sources of standing water.
• Plant mint in your yard.
• Use citronella or pennyroyal.

Aphids and Spider Mites

• Spray a mixture of a few drops of dishwashing liquid in a quart of water on plants. (Spraying every three days over a nine-day period interrupts their egg cycle.)

Garden Chemical Alternatives
Fertilizers

• Use household compost, wood ash, peat moss, or fish meal.

Fungicides

• Avoid over-watering.
• Keep garden growing areas clean and dry.