7 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Beetles
Beetles are a very common pest, especially in the Midwest region of the country. Like any pest, they can cause various issues at home, such as affecting the health of the inhabitants. For those who have noticed any beetles, droppings, or eggs or have smelled the pests, it is time to get pest control in the house. There are some natural ways and hacks, too, to get rid of beetles. These are mentioned below:
1. Peppermint oil
Peppermint oil or even different mint oils found in different plants are some of the best ways of removing pests from the home.
2. Neem oil
This is known to be a natural pest repellent because it helps in killing more than 200 species of insects. And while it does that, it is a completely safe ingredient to be used and kept at home, even with kids and pets. To make a natural beetle repellent, all one has to do is add neem oil to an empty spray bottle. One can add some water to it, depending on whether one wants the solution to be more diluted. Then, spray the solution for indoor plants; one can also spray along the windows’ and doorways’ seams to prevent the beetles from entering the home.
Its biggest advantage is that it is effective and fast-acting. It is safe, non-toxic, and can easily be applied by anyone at home. However, note that this remedy needs regular and repetitive application. Also, it may be difficult to find good neem oil, so that may be a challenge.
3. Lavender oil
While this is a great fragrance for humans, it is a smell that repels pests like beetles. One can use bundles of dried lavender in drawers and closets or even make a spray like the one above to apply around the house. Here’s what one can do: mix around eight to ten drops of lavender oil in eight ounces of water. Transfer this mixture into a spray bottle and apply it everywhere around the house, including entryways like doorways, windows, and so on. The smell of lavender is quite fragrant, so it is usually very pleasant. This also means that re-application of the remedy will not be a problem as the smell will not bother anyone.
4. Diatomaceous earth or DE
This is made from fossilized and crushed algae and is known to be a natural repellent for many pests, including beetles. DE is a completely safe powder and can be used at home; it works by drying out and killing insects. This is still safe to use if the house has pets, kids, or other wildlife. It is noted that the insects will die of dehydration within hours of using this remedy. All one has to do is sprinkle the DE powder over the affected area. One should sprinkle it on the carpet, near doorways, near the windows, on the bed, where the pets lie down, and so on. Leave it for a couple of hours, and then simply vacuum the place to clean it up. This remedy requires extra cleaning, but it can be dealt with when one plans to deep clean their house.
5. Insect traps
This is an effective hack to eliminate beetles, especially outside the garden. These traps release pheromones that attract the beetles to the device and then trap them to get rid of them. It is recommended to set these traps where one often sees beetles to ensure the traps work and are an effective solution at home.
6. Milky spore
This is a fungal growth that can be used in soil with beetle grubs. These grubs eat the milky spores, which infect them and eventually get rid of them. When these grubs start to decompose in the soil, they release more spores, which continues this cycle of getting rid of the grubs for a long time.
7. Borax
This ingredient is easily found in most grocery and hardware stores. It is safe for humans and pets if they are not exposed for too long. However, it does help in effectively getting rid of the beatles.