Try soil-free potting mix for plants infested by insects or larvae. Soil can contain larvae of pest insects, while the soil-free mediums tend not to support them. Ask your local nursery for more information about ways to cut down on plant parasites.

Essential oils are another method that some people find keeps the bugs away. Cedarwood, citronella, peppermint oil and rosemary oil tend to have a repellant effect on insects. These tend to have a pleasant scent; citronella in particular is a popular anti-bug strategy.

Garlic, ginger, hot peppers and onions are unpalatable for many bugs and tend to keep them away. While none of these are harmful to humans, in some venues the pungent smell might be off-putting, so be circumspect in the usage. Boiling some sliced hot peppers for 10 minutes can produce a good outdoor bug spray - just make sure you've got a lot of ventilation while making and using it! It is recommended that this be used solely outdoors - in the garden, workshop area, etc.

While environmentally friendly solutions to insect pest problems often don't work as immediately as the standard poisons, they are a lot healthier for you and your family to use. Exploring the green alternative means that you will worry less about your health while still keeping the bugs outside where they belong!. Leslie Eskildsen