Updated on September 27th, 2025
Natural pest control doesn’t have to be complicated—or expensive. Nobody likes uninvited guests in their home, whether it’s ants marching across the counter, fruit flies hovering over produce or moths chewing holes in clothing. Many people reach for chemical sprays, but these quick fixes come with risks: they can harm pets, leave toxic residues and even make pests more resistant over time.
The good news? Affordable, safe pest control solutions—ranging from simple DIY traps to eco-friendly products—can help you get rid of ants, repel moths, control fruit flies and even handle tougher pests like cockroaches or spiders.
In this guide, we’ll walk through proven, harsh chemical-free pest control options you can try today. Whether you want a homemade ant trap, a pet-safe spray or a botanical repellent, these tips will help protect your home without sacrificing safety or effectiveness.
Why choose natural best control over chemicals?
Chemical sprays may seem convenient, but they often come with hidden costs. Studies from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) show that many pesticides contain ingredients linked to long-term health risks such as hormone disruption and neurological effects. Even short-term exposure can be harmful, especially to children and pets.
Beyond health concerns, overuse of pesticides leads to resistant pests—roaches and ants can adapt quickly, making chemicals less effective and requiring stronger solutions over time. In fact, research highlighted by National Geographic shows that German cockroaches are evolving resistance to multiple classes of pesticides, making traditional sprays increasingly unreliable. Plus, residues linger in soil and water, harming wildlife and the environment.
By contrast, plant-powered, harsh chemical-free pest control relies on safe ingredients like essential oils, vinegar and cedarwood. These natural alternatives protect your home without leaving toxic residues—making them a more affordable and safe choice for families in the long run.
Affordable, safe pest-control solutions you can try
Finding the right natural pest control method doesn’t mean spending a fortune or exposing your family to harsh chemicals. From simple kitchen staples to safer pest control products, there are plenty of affordable options that help you get rid of ants and other pests while keeping your home safe for kids and pets.
DIY ant control at home
Ants are one of the most common household pests, but you don’t need toxic sprays to fight them off.
A classic DIY ant trap
Combine one cup of sugar, half a cup of water and one tablespoon borax in a jar. Soak cotton balls in the mixture or pour a small amount into bottle caps and place them where ants travel. The sugar lures them in, while the borax works as a slow-acting killer that ants carry back to the colony. Keep borax away from pets and children. You can also explore using diatomaceous earth for ant control.
Borax-based baits are widely recognized as effective ant control solutions because they act slowly enough for workers to spread the poison through the nest, according to the University of California Integrated Pest Management (UC IPM) program.
For those who prefer a faster solution, consider our Six Feet Under Plant-Powered Spray, an in-house tested formula made with clove and cinnamon oils. It eliminates ants on contact while remaining family- and pet-safe—no toxic residues left behind—when used as directed. For a step-by-step breakdown, see our guide on how to get rid of ants.
Vinegar solutions (short-term only)
Vinegar is often suggested as a DIY ant repellent because its strong scent can disrupt pheromone trails.
A simple spray
Combining equal parts vinegar and water works as a quick fix on visible ant lines or entry points.
According to the University of Minnesota Extension, homemade sprays such as vinegar are generally only short-term deterrents and not reliable long-term solutions. For lasting protection, combine vinegar cleaning with proven methods such as Six Feet to fully eliminate the colony or try repelling ants with essential oils for a natural long-term strategy.
Natural fruit fly traps
You’ve probably heard the saying “catch more flies with honey” and there’s some truth to it—sugary substances can be effective pest lures.
Fruit flies are drawn to sweet, fermenting liquids, which makes them easy to trap with simple ingredients.
A classic DIY fruit fly trap
Combine apple cider vinegar and a drop of dish soap in a jar, cover with plastic wrap and poke small holes in the top.
The vinegar lures the flies and the soap breaks the surface tension so they sink. This method is cheap and effective for small infestations, though you’ll need to refresh it daily. To better understand why fruit flies multiply so quickly, read our article on whether a fruit fly population will eventually die off.
For longer-lasting protection, consider our Sweet Surrender Fruit Fly Trap. This reusable design uses a plant-based attractant that has been tested to lure fruit flies more effectively than household mixtures. Once inside, flies can’t escape, giving you continuous control without harsh chemicals. With its eco-friendly, refillable setup, Sweet Surrender is a reliable option for kitchens, pantries or anywhere fruit flies gather.
Eco-friendly moth protection
Clothing moths damage keratin-rich garments, but you don’t need to rely on mothballs to stop them. While mothballs may seem inexpensive, they release chemicals such as naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene—fumes that can harm people, pets and indoor air quality. If you’re curious about the risks, we cover them in detail in our guide on are mothballs toxic, along with the best alternative to mothballs.
Unlike ants or fruit flies—where you can create a trap with vinegar or borax—moth control doesn’t come from a quick kitchen staple. The closest natural equivalent is cedar: simply placing blocks in drawers or closets offers a natural, long-lasting DIY solution.
Dr. Killigan's Cedar Planks
Made from pure eastern red cedar sourced from renewable U.S. forests, our Cedar Planks naturally repel moths. They provide four-season protection with a clean, natural aroma—an eco-conscious alternative to mothballs.
For active infestations, pheromone traps such as our Pantry and Clothing Moth Traps deliver targeted control. These traps use species-specific lures to attract and capture moths, breaking the breeding cycle without chemicals.
Harsh chemical-free solutions for cockroaches & spiders
Cockroaches and spiders are resilient pests, but essential oils offer a safe way to repel them without harsh sprays. According to a peer-reviewed study on essential oils, oils like peppermint, lavender and citrus contain natural compounds that disrupt insect behavior.
Essential oil spray
To make a DIY spray, mix a few drops with water in a spray bottle and apply along baseboards, windows and entry points. Always test a small area first, since oils can sometimes stain surfaces. For an exact recipe, refer to Wellness Mama for an essential oil based natural bug repellent that’s easy to make.
For quicker relief, try our Six Feet Under Plant-Powered Spray—a proven, safe-on-contact solution that is family- and pet-friendly when used as directed.
Soap and water spray
Another simple option is a soap and water spray, especially against soft-bodied insects like spider mites or aphids. Mix one tablespoon of liquid dish soap with a quart of water, shake well and spray directly onto pests and surfaces where they hide. Be sure to cover the undersides of leaves if using on plants and test on a small area to avoid damage. Soap disrupts the insects’ cell membranes, leading to quick results.
For ongoing protection, our Dust to Dust Plant-Powered Insect Powder combines silica with essential oils—like peppermint and rosemary—offering a longer-lasting, eco-friendly solution. It's safe to use on plants. If roaches are your main concern, see our full guide on how to quickly get rid of American and German cockroaches for more targeted strategies.
Plant- and herb-based remedies
Many herbs contain natural insecticidal properties that make them powerful allies in pest control. Neem, basil, lavender, citronella grass and chrysanthemum release compounds that repel or disrupt pests while remaining safe for people and pets. You can grow them as natural garden barriers or use their extracts to create sprays for targeted protection.
According to the UC IPM program, neem oil works as a natural insect growth regulator—interfering with molting and feeding behaviors, which helps control pest populations over time.
DIY herbal spray
Steep a handful of fresh basil or lavender leaves (or two tablespoons of dried) in a cup of boiling water for 30 minutes. Strain the liquid, let it cool, then pour into a spray bottle. Add a few drops of essential oil—like citronella or neem—for extra strength. Spray along windowsills, doorways and garden plants where pests gather.
Citrus peels also provide an easy, eco-friendly option.
Citrus peel recipe
Collect leftover citrus peels and either place them directly in problem areas to repel ants and spiders or steep them in hot water to create a light spray. For a stronger cleaner-repellent, fill a jar about halfway with peels, cover with vinegar and let it sit for two weeks before straining. Safety note: test citrus sprays on surfaces first, as acidity may damage finishes.
Herbs and citrus aren’t just versatile household staples—they’re especially useful against kitchen invaders. To learn which pests are most likely to show up in pantries and cupboards, see our guide on the six most common bugs in your kitchen.
Choosing the best eco-friendly pest control for your home
Not every pest requires the same approach, which is why choosing the right eco-friendly method matters. Think about two factors: the type of pest and the space you’re protecting.
Match the method to the pest. Essential oil sprays or vinegar solutions are effective for ants and spiders when infestations are small and easy to spot. Cedarwood blocks and pheromone traps work better for moths, while vinegar-based traps or reusable lures are the go-to for fruit flies.
Balance DIY with proven products. DIY options are affordable for short-term relief, but for lasting results, plant-powered products give you consistency and peace of mind. At Dr. Killigan’s, each formula is developed with both safety and efficacy in mind, ensuring protection without toxic residues.
By weighing your needs—DIY for quick fixes, eco-friendly products for sustained protection—you’ll create a pest control strategy that’s safe, practical, and tailored to your home.
Conclusion: A safer, greener approach to pest control
Chemical sprays may promise quick results, but they often come with hidden costs—to your health, your pets and the environment. Eco-friendly pest control proves you don’t have to compromise. From simple DIY sprays and traps to in-house tested, plant-powered formulas, natural solutions provide effective protection without leaving harmful residues.
At Dr. Killigan’s, we believe pest control should be safe, simple and effective. Our products give you peace of mind without the guesswork of homemade remedies—proven, family- and pet-friendly solutions when used as directed, always ready when you need them.
Whether it’s ants in the kitchen, moths in the closet or fruit flies in the pantry, we provide the peace of mind that comes from knowing your home is protected. For a closer look at how our Dust to Dust formula works as a chemical-free alternative to diatomaceous earth, see our full guide here.
A greener approach isn’t just possible—it’s the better choice for today and tomorrow.
