Doing your self with chemicals for Pest control

Choosing which chemicals to use when your home has been invaded by pests can be a challenge. You have to be concerned with the safety of your family, pets and, if the pests are in your kitchen, the foods you prepare. Fortunately, there are some do-it-yourself alternatives to the chemicals used by pesticide companies.

Safer Pesticides

1. Two things that act as pesticides but are safe to use in areas around children, pets and food are boric acid powder and food-grade diatomaceous earth. Both are available in powder form and can be purchased from garden supply stores. Boric acid is also available in the pest control aisles of most grocery and super stores.
   Boric acid and diatomaceous earth work to eliminate pests by dehydration. Boric acid is a dessicant; pests such as roaches and ants consume it and/or track through it and bring it back to the nest. Consuming it kills the adult insect; bringing it back to the nest dries out the soft juvenile larvae and eggs.
   Diatomaceous earth is made from the powdered shells of microscopic diatoms. Diatoms have a hard exoskeleton or shell made up of silicon. When their shells are ground, the microscopic pieces have sharp, pointed edges. When an insect comes into contact with diatomaceous earth, these pieces cut tiny holes in its shell, causing the water inside the insect to evaporate. The insect then dehydrates and dies.

How to Use Boric Acid

2. To use boric acid to kill pests in your home, you need to leave the powder in places where insects may walk through it. In areas that are hidden from children and pets such as under the stove and refrigerator, sprinkle the powder directly on the floor. A thick line where the baseboard meets the wall will catch bugs that are traveling along the wall and those that are moving upward. On counter tops and in cabinets, make a mixture of half boric acid and half flour and add a little sugar to attract the bugs. Put this mixture in a spare jar lid or other flat, lipped dish and tuck it into dark corners. 
   Although boric acid is relatively safe compared to other chemical pesticides, be sure to keep the dishes out of reach of children and away from pets. Clean up any spilled powder immediately and keep the container closed and out of the reach of children. If you keep the powder in a cabinet where dishes are also kept, rinse each dish before use.

How to Use Diatomaceous Earth

3. To use diatomaceous earth as a pesticide, you can use the same methods as you do with boric acid. In addition, because food-grade diatomaceous earth is safe for consumption by humans and pets, you can place a dish or pile of it anywhere at all that you have seen pests, including counter tops or exposed corners on the floor.
   You can also use diatomaceous earth to treat small pests like fleas that may be in your carpet. Liberally sprinkle the carpet with the diatmaceous earth. Let it sit for a few minutes to insure that the grains sink all the way to the base of the carpet and coat any insects that may be lurking there. Vacuum the carpet thoroughly and immediately dispose of the bag or empty the canister to help prevent re-infestation. 
   Although diatomaceous earth is safe for use around people and animals, it is a fine dust. People with dust allergies or asthma may need to wear a dusk musk when working with diatomaceous earth. As with other household products, keep your diatomaceous earth in a container with a lid and store it in a cool, dry space away from the reach of children.