Natural Ways to Banish Household Pests

Fleas
• If you have pets, make it a priority to check and treat them for fleas.

• Vacuum thoroughly and regularly to remove fleas and their eggs and larvae from carpets and floors. Burn the vacuum bag, or seal it in a plastic bag and place it in the hot sun or in the freezer for 48 hours. This will kill any fleas, larvae or eggs.

• For a persistent infestation, clean thoroughly and then spray pyrethrum in cracks and crevices, and anywhere you’ve seen fleas.
 

Clothes moths and carpet beetles
The larvae of moths devour your stored clothes after hatching from eggs that have been deposited by adult moths. And it’s the larvae of carpet beetles that damage your carpets.
• Clothes moths prefer dirty or stained clothing, so make sure stored clothes are perfectly clean before you put them away.
• Kill moth eggs and larvae by washing clothes (but not woollens) on the hottest suitable washing-machine cycle. Hang them in the sun for a couple of hours.
• Store moth-prone woollens and linen in chests made from camphorwood, which repels moths.
• Instead of commercial moth balls, use camphorwood or red cedar balls. Alternatively, sprinkle Epsom salts, dried herbs or whole cloves among your clothes.
• Fill muslin sachets with spice mixes and dried herbs, such as lavender, and tuck them in with your woollens.
• Vacuum your wardrobe regularly and finish by wiping it out with eucalyptus or lavender essential oil.
• Adult carpet beetles may enter the house on plant material. Check cut flowers for any activity as you arrange them in vases.
• Check your piano felts for signs of carpet beetle infestation. Vacuum carefully, then place a few bay leaves inside the piano. They will act as a natural repellent.

Dust mites
Dust mites thrive in warm, humid conditions and are found in clothing, bedding, carpets and soft furnishings.
• If anyone in your household has a dust-mite allergy, consider getting rid of the carpets and curtains.
• To help reduce dust mite numbers, wash all bedding regularly in hot water with soap powder and a good dash of eucalyptus oil. If you can, dry it in the sun.
• Dust mites don’t like dry living conditions. Let the sun and air into the house as often as possible and consider using a dehumidifier in damp bedrooms. Regularly air blankets, doonas, soft furnishings and rugs in the sun.
• Consider buying allergen-resistant bedding – special microporous covers are available for mattresses, pillows and doonas. Their fine holes prevent dust mite infestation but still allow the air to circulate.
• Frequently vacuum floors, bed bases and mattresses using a powerful vacuum cleaner with a high-energy particulate air (HEPA) filter, which removes dust and allergens very efficiently. Regularly steam cleaning carpet and upholstery will also help.
• Limit the number of dust traps by keeping as much as possible behind cupboard doors. Open bookcases, cluttered under-bed surfaces and the tops of wardrobes are particular dust hazards.
• Put children’s soft toys into the freezer for 24 hours to kill dust mites. Wash them at any temperature to remove dust mite faeces.