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Insect & Pest Control Solutions

Pro tips to prevent, control, and recover from bug and rodent infestations at home.

Insect Pest Solutions
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This $10 Mosquito Repelling Candle Will See You Through SummerDesign Ideas
If you buy one thing this summer, make it this candle.
Emma Kershaw
Jul 11, 2021
One Good Thing: My Best Homemade DIY Fruit Fly TrapCleaning
Welcome back to One Good Thing! We’re outdoors again this week with my final insect repellent DIY and this one might just be my very best. We will see. It’s how to get rid of fruit flies, and after years of mucking about and trying a number of different solutions I finally buckled down, did much more research and got it right.
Maxwell Ryan
Jul 1, 2021
Even if You Live Alone, There's A Roommate You Need to Clean Up After
Weekend Projects
I certainly don't appreciate the messes they leave behind.
Shifrah Combiths
Jun 25, 2021
One Good Thing: Madison James Flyaway Sticks are Awesome Outdoors at HomeCleaning
Welcome back to One Good Thing STILL AT HOME!!! And also this week outside. Okay, full disclosure, Hands and I are playing around with our format and having fun. I’ve also chosen to go deep on insect repellants, because it’s a personal passion and I’ve been finding a bunch of really interesting new solutions.
Maxwell Ryan
Jun 24, 2021
One Good Thing: The Amazing Tabasco Yellow Jacket Repellant SecretCleaning
Welcome back to One Good Thing BACK AT HOME! Yes, this week I’m back in my yard, enjoying the warm weather and sharing with you YET ANOTHER genius tip for repelling bugs – this time, yellow jackets – which can really drive you batty by getting in your food and drink on a hot summer day. This tip came from a restaurant upstate that I went to last autumn.
Maxwell Ryan
Jun 17, 2021
The $26 Amazon Find This Kitchen Tools Editor Swears Keeps Mice AwayCleaning
And more than 17,000 Amazon reviewers agree that it works!
Vanessa Spilios
May 24, 2021
I Live in the Caribbean and These Are 5 Mosquito Solutions That Locals Swear By
Shopping
Surefire advice from people who battle these pesky insects year-round.
Amy Gordon
Apr 28, 2021
The Trash Can Our Staffer Swears Solved Her Mouse Problem
Shopping
Bonus: It costs a *lot* less than a visit from a pest control company!
Vanessa Spilios
Apr 2, 2021
7 Simple Things You Can Do This Weekend to Ward Off Pests
Weekend Projects
It's hard to enjoy springtime when you're swatting at mosquitoes, hopping away from spiders, or fleeing wasps.
Shifrah Combiths
Mar 26, 2021
The Editor-Favorite Mosquito Solution I’m Stocking Up on Before It Sells Out AgainCleaning
“Just set up a few around your patio or picnic table and you’re basically setting up a do-not-disturb sign.”
Vanessa Spilios
Mar 23, 2021
Natural Bug Repellents to Keep Your Dinners Outside BearableCleaning
There’s nothing like a swarm of mosquitoes or army of ants to ruin your time outdoors. Even though bugs are often useful, they can put a damper on picnics, BBQs, and simply chilling outside, and leave you with some nasty bites and stings. Thankfully it’s fairly simple to find ways to keep bugs away.
Melissa Epifano
Oct 24, 2020
Humane Rodent ControlCleaning
I recently discovered evidence of mice in my apartment, err… actually, my cat discovered them for me. She’s a great hunter and tormentor but, as I discovered after a few hours, not a killer. Mice are one of the most horrifying things I can imagine in my home, so I’ve researched a few humane ways to get rid of them.
Kathryn Wright
Jul 18, 2020
7 Kitchen Waste Items to Use in the GardenPlants & Yard
Composting kitchen scraps for use in the garden is a classic green living practice, but there are many kitchen waste items that can also be put to good use in other ways in the garden. From hot peppers to paper towel rolls, here are seven kitchen waste items to make your home and garden healthy and happy. Paper Towel Rolls: Trim them down to about 2 inches high and press them into the soil around seedlings, this serves as an added layer of protection from pests such as slugs.
Kathryn Wright
Jul 17, 2020
The Battle of the Bugs: How To Prevent & Get Rid of PestsReal Estate
A couple of weeks ago I helped my brother pick out an apartment in Northern Virginia. We found a great one-bedroom in an older apartment complex, recently remodeled, it has ample storage, a large patio, and it’s close to his work. One little problem: we started to move him in and found a roach hanging out in the kitchen cabinet. Then we found another by the sink. And a tiny one was running across the pantry door. Uh-oh, there’s a bug problem.
Erin Roberts
Jul 16, 2020
I Had Bedbugs—Here's How I Learned to Feel Safe at Home, and What Pros AdviseCleaning
My relationship to my space was forever changed.
Sarah duRivage-Jacobs
Jul 10, 2020
The Best Bug-Repellent Products for Your Outdoor SpaceCleaning
Say goodbye to those uninvited guests for good!
Madelyn Simons
Jul 9, 2020
Tips & Tricks for Getting Rid of and Dealing with MosquitoesCleaning
Looking for ways to rid your indoor and outdoor spaces of mosquitoes? Here are our best posts on how to keep those little buggers away. Natural Remedy: 5 Plants That Repel Mosquitoes How To Make Your Own DIY Mosquito Repellent Device Make Your Own Citronella Candles That Really Work 5 Tips For a Mosquito-Free Summer How To Make A Wine Bottle Tiki Torch for Under $4.
Kate Legere
Mar 11, 2020
The First 8 Things To Do If You Think You Might Have Bed BugsCleaning
Instead of bugging out, follow these steps to make sure your home is bug-free and prevent the little pests from spreading.
Rebecca Renner
Sep 24, 2019
5 Things You Need to Do After Every Trip to Protect Yourself From Bed BugsCleaning
Not only do these tiny pests tend to hide (and breed) inside of beds, couches, and clothing, they’ll gladly hitch a ride on your clothes and luggage if given the opportunity.
Caroline Biggs
Sep 14, 2019
7 Unsuspecting Places Bed Bugs Might Be Hiding in Your HomeCleaning
Bed bugs don’t just live in your bed. If you suspect you have a bed bug infestation, you might be unhappy to find that bed bugs can thrive just about anywhere. They have a soft spot for fluffy fabrics with lots of folds and cushy places to hide. But they also party in cracks in grout, under your box spring, and in your dresser drawers. In other words, almost nowhere is safe from these sneaky critters.
Rebecca Renner
Sep 6, 2019
Where Do Bed Bugs Come From? A Quick, Non-Gross ExplainerCleaning
We talked to Brittany Campbell, Ph.D., staff entomologist for the National Pest Management Association—and probably one of the few people in the world who seems genuinely excited to talk about bed bugs—to demystify the pests.
Rena Behar
Aug 29, 2019
Fruit Fly Death TrapCleaning
All the fruit we had gave us not only delicious fruit conserves, but also a bumper crop of fruit flies. We were humane to the spiders, but we had something else in mind for these fast-reproducing pests…It’s easy to make your own: just roll a piece of paper into a cone, pour some apple cider vinegar or put a piece of ripe banana in the bottom of a glass or jar, insert the paper cone, and wait.(Oh yeah, and get rid of the ripe or rotten fruit that’s attracting the fruit flies.
Jonathan B.
Aug 22, 2019
How to Get Rid of MealybugsCleaning
As far as the ick factor goes, mealybugs are a 10 out of 10.
Rebecca Straus
Aug 18, 2019
This Entomologist Has a Travel Warning: Always Put Your Suitcase in the Hotel BathroomCleaning
The reason behind it is simpler than you might think, but it might make your skin crawl.
Kaitlin Stanford
Aug 11, 2019
This Mosquito Solution Has a Serious Cult FollowingCleaning
Imagine extra-long incense sticks that burn for hours and repel mosquitos, hornets, and other pesky insects. Just set up a few around your patio or picnic table and you're basically setting up a do-not-disturb sign.
Lisa Freedman
Jul 29, 2019
One Icky Reason You May Want to Put Dryer Sheets Under the Legs of Your TableCleaning
Dryer sheets, especially fragranced ones, have gotten a bad rap as of late. But these very same fragrance-laden fabric softeners are excellent at keeping one thing away.
Shifrah Combiths
Jul 28, 2019
The No-Freak Out Guide for How to Handle a Wild Animal in Your HomeCleaning
Wildlife management experts say, for the most part, you can evict unwanted tenants (also known as "nuisance animals") fairly easily. But don't try to take care of everything yourself (and don't ignore what's happening). Call on the experts for guidance as soon as possible.
Susan Marque
Jun 19, 2019
How To Make a Fruit Fly Trap To Get Rid of Fruit FliesProjects & Improvements
We’ve all experienced it at one point: fruit flies, first a few then an infestation surrounding your fruit bowl. They’re pesky little critters, but we’ve found the best way to rid your kitchen of them. Here are our quick instructions for making a fruit fly trap with just a few simple materials. Vinegar, fruit or wine (apple cider vinegar works especially well) Glass or jar Sheet of paper Tape Find a suitable glass or jar.
Ashley Poskin
Jun 5, 2019
The Best Mouse TrapsDesign Ideas
It might not be fun to talk about, but with winter approaching you know it's necessary
Nicole Lund
May 23, 2019
How to Get Rid of GnatsCleaning
If your apartment is plagued by tiny floating black dots, you might think you’re hallucinating or your eyes are failing. We can’t totally rule those out… but it’s more likely you’ve got a much less alarming but still extremely annoying problem.Gnats.There are a few strategies for getting rid of your pesky new visitors.
Rena Behar
May 10, 2019
How To: Build A DIY Humane Mouse TrapCleaning
It appears that my recent house guest was an elderly member of a rodent community underneath our building. Our friend and neighbor found another rodent brought in by her cat in her adjoining unit, and was notified that some workmen discovered a nest of mice living beneath the building in the foundation. She’s been looking to get rid of it, but humanely, but isn’t too keen on traditional traps.
Gregory Han
May 10, 2019
Dust and Dust Mite Proof Your BedroomCleaning
If humans or animals live in your house — you have dust mites. No special test is needed to check, it is a fact. Even if you are not sensitive to dust, keep reading.I found all of this information on the web via Environmental Health and Safety Online and The Allergy Store.House dust mites are microscopic bugs that primarily live on dead skin cells regularly shed from humans and their pets. Dust mites are harmless to most people.
Sparrow King
May 8, 2019
How To Make A Wine Bottle Tiki Torch for Under $4.00Cleaning
Inspired by the this Recycled Wine Bottle Torch post and annoyed by mosquitoes this week (how is it that they’re already out and there’s been only a few weeks of spring?), we hit up the hardware store and threw together a $3.48 recycled wine bottle torch filled with citronella. While it’s not as classy as the real thing (nor as safe), it keeps the bugs at bay and looks pretty good. And it was quick and cheap.
Trent Johnson
May 8, 2019
How To Make Natural Garden PesticidesProjects & Improvements
Garden pests make otherwise enjoyable gardening frustrating. Whether it’s snails taking over your lettuce or aphids sucking on your roses, a pest infestation is definitely disappointing, but it’s not a reason to reach for harmful, toxic sprays. The sprays might eliminate the pesky culprits, but they are harmful to you and the environment. Instead, try whipping up one of these simple recipes with ingredients you most likely have on hand.
Ashley Poskin
May 5, 2019
How To Ant-Proof Your Hummingbird FeederCleaning
Hummingbirds are a big hit at my house. My wife and I love them, my daughter loves them, even the cats love them (just watching them, they are indoor cats). Unfortunately, the ants love them too. More accurately, the ants love the hummingbird feeder, with its steady supply of sugar water. It does not take them long to find the feeder and once they do, they will take it over. Here is a quick and easy solution for keeping your feeder ant-free.
Richard Popovic
May 5, 2019
How To Get Rid of BedbugsCleaning
A warning before you read further: this post will make your skin itch. A good friend of mine aptly pointed out that bed bugs are like the adult version of head lice. I never had head lice as a child, and I never imagined that I would have bedbugs as an adult, until it happened to me. I had heard about the great bedbug epidemic in New York back in 2010, but my personal nightmare with bedbugs began last fall.
Claire Bock
May 4, 2019
Search and Destroy: How To Get Rid of Sweater MothsCleaning
Usually the first sign you have a moth problem is when you pull out a sweater and discover it’s laced with tiny holes. Clothes moths are sneaky little pests. They like to lie low in dark corners, snacking on your best cashmere. They rarely take time out from feasting to flutter about your house, so before you start swatting at each and every moth you see, here is what you need to know. Tineola bisselliella and Tinea pellionella are the two most common types of clothes moths.
Rebecca Bond
May 4, 2019
Terribly Helpful: How To Identify Household PestsCleaning
Last spring, I celebrated sundress weather with some huge, blotchy bites on my calves. San Francisco is known for its lack of mosquitoes, so I did the sensible thing and panicked: BEDBUGS. Nope — it was spiders! In an effort to save you the same confusion, I’ve put together this list of tips for IDing your household pests. Bite in the night? Get yourself to a doctor.
Tess Wilson
May 4, 2019
What Are the Small Brown Bugs on My Houseplants? Dealing With Scale PestsPlants & Yard
Notice the raised, brown growth on my Sago Palm. This is an example of scale. I’m currently dealing with a really sticky problem — yes, pun intended! — and anybody that has discovered one of their houseplants has a case of scale knows exactly what I’m talking about. While you may think scale is only attacking your plants, think again. Yes, it is first and foremost a plant pest, but this little creature can also wreak havoc on your home. So what exactly is scale?
Kimber Watson
May 4, 2019
How To Avoid Bringing Bedbugs Home from Hotels, Thrift Stores and MoreCleaning
Although they aren’t actually dangerous unless you’re allergic to their bites, bedbugs are pretty revolting. And, as we all probably know, infestations have been on the rise. Following are some ways to help ensure that these very unwanted guests don’t end up in your home. Here are a few ways you could unintentionally bring bedbugs home — and how to avoid them.
Shifrah Combiths
May 4, 2019
The Assassin Bug: Facts, Dangers & PreventionCleaning
Assassin bugs (or kissing bugs) get their names from their habit of biting humans on the face near the lips. (It’s true people: I can’t make this stuff up.) Here’s what you need to know about this not-so-nice insect. Assassin, a.k.a. kissing bugs, are found all across the bottom two-thirds of the United States, and predominantly in Arizona, California, Texas, and New Mexico.
Dabney Frake
May 4, 2019
Can’t Sleep? 5 Reasons Why Your Bedroom is Keeping You AwakeDesign Ideas
Sleep is a key building block of health and happiness, yet it’s often hard to get and stay there for one night, let alone a string of several nights at a time. Here are five common reasons your bedroom isn’t working, and eight small changes to help you fall asleep, keep snoozing throughout the night, and ultimately function better the next day. PROBLEM #1: ALLERGIES Is your stuffy nose keeping you from getting shut eye?
Dabney Frake
May 4, 2019
Everything You Need to Know: How To Have a Wasp-Free SummerCleaning
Despite an unpleasant childhood experience involving a tire swing and a hornets’ nest, I’m not terribly bothered by the wasps’ nests that came with our new house. However, a certain member of my family is not so blasé about our buzzing neighbors, so I’m determined to make our summer wasp-free. Here’s how… Set up wasp’s-nest decoys. They mimic real nests and trick the wasps into nesting elsewhere.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Why You Should Spray Vinegar Around Your WindowsCleaning
We’re eager for that moment to throw our windows open to fresh spring breezes — and it seems that the things outside our homes are awaiting the opportunity, too (but for different motives). If it’s not the pollen blowing inside, it’s the bugs that somehow make it through the tiniest nooks and crannies you don’t see (even if you have screens).
Shifrah Combiths
May 3, 2019
The Smart Reason You Should Put Lace (Yes, Lace) On Your WindowsCleaning
Warmer weather means opening up your curtains and windows, and letting in the light and fresh air. But, with all that welcome air and sunshine sometimes comes unwelcome bugs and less privacy. Let’s welcome back a classic that can surprisingly solve both issues: lace! Lace is the perfect medium for letting light in and keeping bugs out. Madelene lives in an old Swedish house and, when it gets hot, loves to open the windows and let the air in.
Cat Meschia
May 3, 2019
6 Plants That Naturally Repel MosquitoesPlants & Yard
I live in a one bedroom “garden” apartment, which means that I get to have my own front door, porch, and small strip of flower bed. The only downside? The flower bed is under the porch roof, which means it’s constantly damp and shady, and also an ideal mosquito habitat. So this year, after frantically trying to squash a few rogue mosquitoes that snuck indoors while I was carrying in groceries, I’ve decided to get myself some mosquito-repelling plants.
Rebecca Straus
May 3, 2019
One Wise Thing You Can Do for Your Home This Labor Day WeekendCleaning
It will never be not true that solving a problem when it’s small is much easier — and, when it comes to home maintenance, drastically more cost effective — than solving a problem that’s grown. While we’re outside grilling or sipping on something relaxing this Labor Day weekend, we’re going to take a little stroll around the perimeter and see if there might be a little problem we need to address now, before it gets bigger.
Shifrah Combiths
May 3, 2019
How Can I Figure Out What in the World Keeps Biting Me?Cleaning
Q: I’ve known for years that mosquitoes love me. More recently, some other type (types?) of insect bites me and the bites are terribly itchy. (One of the most recent is on the bottom of my foot.) I’ve inspected the bed for bed bugs (appears to be fine), and there isn’t an obvious culprit. It’s often in bed but not always. And when it is in bed, my husband NEVER gets bitten (jealous!!!)… It’s usually multiple bites over a body part (e.g.
Tess Wilson
Apr 30, 2019
New Study Says NYC Has ‘Teflon’ Mice, And Here’s Why That’s Terrifying
Here is an entirely true story about my first week in my NYC studio. I was cleaning the kitchen (because I am a certified grown-up), and I got out the vacuum to get the nooks and crannies beneath the dishwasher and cabinets. Before moving in, I had gone a full year without experiencing more than a spider in my living quarters and I was not going to entice any new friends with crumbs from my Cheerio-based dinner. As I moved the vacuum under the stove, it caught something.
Samantha Zabell
Apr 30, 2019
How To Make a Wasp Trap from a Soda Bottle
Wasps can be helpful little creatures- they’re to thank in part for keeping the pest population in check- but they can also be quite the nuisance. Picnics and other outdoor summer activities are a bit difficult to enjoy when wasps are swarming overhead, so try to keep things under control with a DIY wasp trap. 2-liter soda bottle Honey or sugar water Utility knife Stapler or clothespins 1.
Ashley Poskin
Apr 14, 2019
How To Make a Moth-Repellent Sachet
Whether you’re just pulling out your sweaters or putting them away for the season, a moth repellent is key to making your winter wools last. Forget the stinky, toxic moth balls—and who really has the space for a cedar closet? What you need is good smelling, tiny alternative, and we’ve got just the thing!
Ashley Poskin
Feb 24, 2019
The Frightening Reason You Shouldn’t Use Contact Paper in Your Kitchen Cabinets
An $8 roll of contact paper can do wonders for your home. You can use it to upgrade old furniture, modernize shelves, elevate countertops, or even forge a backsplash. For the budget-conscious, it’s almost too good to be true. And, as it turns out, some people say it just might be. Why? Apparently cockroaches love contact paper. “Cockroaches will eat almost anything, far beyond what we think of as food sources,” says Howard Bright, the owner of Anti-Pesto Bug Killers.
Brigitt Earley
Oct 18, 2018
These Minuscule Wingless Springtails are Easily Mistaken for Fleas
I’m not typically squeamish when it comes to bugs. Until they get inside my house where they don’t belong, that is. The creepiest are usually those teeny tiny ones—like springtails—that are so hard to see I start getting paranoid that they’re everywhere. Springtails are minuscule wingless bugs found all throughout North America that thrive in dark, damp places.
Rebecca Straus
Aug 5, 2018
New Study Reveals How To Avoid Bringing Home Bedbugs
Nothing strikes terror into the hearts of millions like one simple word: bedbugs. Thankfully, new research published yesterday reveals how to avoid bringing the creatures home with you, and therefore infesting your apartment. Instances of bedbugs have been on the rise, in part because of increased international travel. The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, has found that there are some things you can do to prevent the pests from coming home with you.
Tara Bellucci
Sep 29, 2017
This Humane Spider Catcher is Perfect for Arachnophobic Pacifists
I don’t need a Buzzfeed quiz to tell me that the Mean Girls character I most identify with is the “she doesn’t even go here”-girl. I just have a lot of feelings, OK? I talk to my plants like they’re people. They’re named after people, for goodness sake. And I can’t let go of a chair or a car on Craiglist without feeling like I’m abandoning a member of my family. “Is he going to take care of Heidi the Honda?
Taryn Williford
Sep 18, 2017
Don’t Let Bloodsuckers Keep You Inside: Our Best Mosquito Repellent Strategies
I live in Florida and I know very well how bugs can ruin both special outdoor events and perfectly ordinary daily moments. Just last week our s’mores summer kickoff was cut short by suuuuuper pesky gnats that insisted on hovering near our eyelashes and noses and we’ve endured more than one car ride with mosquitoes buzzing around in the van while my daughter screams in fear of being eaten alive (they do seem to feast on her especially, poor thing).
Shifrah Combiths
Jun 16, 2017
The Stink Bug: Facts, Dangers & Prevention
Stink bugs get their name from —wait for it —the odor they emit when they are disturbed or stomped upon. It’s meant to ward off predators, and by predators I mean us humans with our descending boots, rolled up magazines, and scary vacuum suction hoses. (Hell, I’d spray us with noxious fumes too.) Here’s what else you should know about these delightful little creatures.
Dabney Frake
Apr 8, 2016
Pesticide-Free Ways for Fewer Spiders in Your Home
I was reading a few sentences of an article recently that said something about September being an extra spider-y month, something about male spiders coming out to flirt with females? I didn’t really read the whole thing because who wants to really know that much about spiders? Here’s what I do know: I don’t love them, particularly when they like to call my bedroom home and dance on my face at night.
Adrienne Breaux
Oct 2, 2015
Chiggers Are Small Yet Sneaky Little Buggers: Here’s What You Need to Know
Chiggers (or red bugs) are tiny little mites that easily escape notice, but leave a lasting legacy in the form of red welts on your skin that will itch for days and drive you nuts. Summer is prime chigger season, so read up on how to deal with them around the house, and what to do if you get bitten. Chiggers love to get you in your body’s tender sweaty spots, namely the undersides of your arms, knees, belly and – yes – your private areas.
Dabney Frake
Jul 31, 2015
Temporary Window Screens: Inexpensive & DIY
For the last several months my husband and I have had fans in our windows at all times. We had a hard time getting any breeze in them, but because the fans were in place, we hadn’t had a problem with bugs and mosquitoes coming in. As the temperatures dropped this past weekend, we removed the fans and all sorts of creepy crawly and flying friends came in, so it was time for some screens! Off to the hardware store we went!
Sarah Rae Smith
Sep 27, 2010
Use Bar Soap To Beat The Bite
If asked to design the perfect world, many would eliminate the presence of the mosquito. We’re sure they serve some purpose on the food chain, but right now, they’re just pissing us off. Every time we turn around we have a new bite! To beat the bite, try a basic bar of soap for quick relief instead of pricey over the counter products.
Sarah Rae Smith
Jul 22, 2010
Plant Pest Remedies Straight from the Kitchen
You would be surprised how many household items can come to your aid when plants find themselves under attack from pests and disease. You’ll find a list of ten items after the jump, just to give you an idea of what can be used before one resorts to a store-bought chemical or pesticide. Have you
Faith Durand
May 18, 2010
Web Worms, Bag Worms and Eastern Tent Caterpillars: What’s the Difference?
Outside of using them for composting, worms just haven’t been on our radar. That is, until they invaded our Walnut tree (worm jerks!). So we sat down with our old friend Google and tried to find out exactly what was taking over our tree and how to make it stop. Were they web worms? Bag worms? Or the Eastern Tent Caterpillar? Find out the differences on each and how you can keep your trees in check after the jump.
Sarah Rae Smith
Aug 27, 2008
9 Stylish House Plants (And How To Not Immediately Kill Them)
9 Stylish House Plants (And How To Not Immediately Kill Them)
May 5, 2017