I believe that kindness and compassion to animals should extend to those we refer to as ‘pests’. So many animals are labeled ‘pests’ these days; from insects and rodents that invade our homes to non-native rabbits, foxes and Indian miners. Dingos, goats and camels and even native icons such as kangaroos are killed in their masses as they are ‘pests’ to farmers.

If we must control the numbers of these animals then there are humane methods, such as sterilization, but perhaps that is not as cheap as shooting kangaroos from trucks and stamping on their joeys’ heads? Sometimes money should not be the priority.

We will look at the bigger issue concerning pests in a future post, but today I want to introduce you to some humane ways to keep unwanted critters out of your house. After all just because you have compassion for the animals, doesn’t mean you want to give your home over to them!

I like to think of a trail of ants or other insect as a little reminder that I need to keep the house cleaner. I have bought a very fine dusting brush and I dust them up and put them outside. But what if the problem is more serious than that? No worries – you won’t have to turn to poison. Whatever you do, don’t let the situation get out of control, as that may leave with you with no choice but to get professional help.

Cockroaches –

These are the critters that are most likely to have a party at my house, unless I take steps to prevent them.

• Prevention is better than cure. Keep a clean house and make sure food is sealed away. Do any big cleaning jobs you have been putting off.
• Be sure to fix any leaking taps and wipe up the sink after use. Cockroaches are always on the look out for water.
• Keep doors and windows well sealed with caulk so that access isn’t as easy for the crawly critters.
• Sprinkle bay leaves, cucumber, catnip and garlic around your home, in places that you have spotted cockroaches before. Cockroaches hate these things!
• Drop some citronella, teatree, peppermint and lemongrass essential oils on some cotton wool balls and leave in the back of cupboards and drawers.
• Use an electronic pest control method to repel pests. These are very effective at getting bugs and rodents to leave your house! However not suitable for me, as I have pet rats. They are fine if you have cats or dogs. Click here to buy an electronic pest repeller from Amazon for $16
• Gentrol – If you have to resort to chemicals, try Gentrol. You can use it to stop the reproductive cycle in cockroaches, without killing them. Click here to buy Gentrol from Amazon
• Make a humane trap to allow you to remove any cockroaches left in your house. Tape some newspaper to the outside of a glass jar, smearing Vaseline along the inside of the lip of the jar, and placing food (fruits, bread, vegetables) inside. You will find that the roaches who climb into the jar are unable to climb back out through the Vaseline, and you can release them outside.

Ants –

• Be sure to keep your kitchen clean and your food sealed away.
• Watch where the ants are entering your home and seal the point off with caulk
• Place peppermint essential oil on cotton balls where you have seen the ants
• Ants also hate, cinnamon sticks, coffee, chilli peppers and paprika, so you could use these to keep them away
• Buy a delicate dusting brush to gently sweep the ants into a dust pan and empty them outside before sealing the house.
• An electronic repeller like Pest Offense will work to keep ants at bay without killing them. This is not suitable if you have small pets like rats, mice or guinea pigs. Click here to buy Pest Offense from Amazon for $21.95

Rodents –

Oh how I love rats and mice…but not in my kitchen cupboards!

• To catch the rogue rodents use a humane trap and a tasty treat. These are readily available at any hardware store, but you can also buy one here.
  Please check the trap very often as the rodents could starve to death. Release them in a wooded area or meadow at least 100 feet from the building.
• Rat proof your building. Seal holes wider than 0.25 inches. Keep food in sturdy, sealed containers. Keep any outside wood tightly stacked away from the house. Keep your garden weed free and bushes at least a small distance from the house. Seal cracks in doors, floors and walls.
• Rodents just hate peppermint oil. Soak cotton balls in peppermint and leave where you have seen/heard rodents and at points of entry.
• Another useful rodent deterrent is a mixture of lots of cayenne pepper, salad dressing, horse-radish and garlic. Leave this to sit for a few days and then put it into a spray bottle and spray around the infested area. This is great if the rodents are under the hood of your car, as it won’t hurt the car, or the rodents.
• An electronic pest repeller like Pest Offense works well with rats and mice.

So now you have an idea of how to humanely deal with those critters that won’t leave on their own! Please never resort to cruel poisons or glue traps. One product that works well in each pest category is an Electronic Pest Repeller. I would recommend you buy one or two of these for around your house, as I have read excellent things. Please do not buy one if you live with pet rats, mice, hamsters, guinea pigs etc.

Click here to find out more about the electronic humane pest repeller.