Updated on April 16th, 2025
Most pest control ads promise a solution—but usually with harsh, chemical-filled sprays or treatments that require evacuation. There has to be a better way. One that doesn’t involve subjecting your children and pets to poisonous clouds just to rid your home of common pests.
But what are the best pest control solutions—including natural alternatives to bug bombs and foggers—for you and your family? What do you do when you need to get rid of ants, roaches and flies?
Common indoor pests & how to get rid of them naturally
There are many types of indoor pests. There are many types of solutions. The type of toxic-free solution you need is determined by which insect is invading your space. Be wary, though, because every bug carries its dangers, from minor allergic reactions to infections and diseases.
Ants
There are several species of ants, from sugar ants to fire ants. They can all be a menace in and around the home. Each is in search of water and will feed off a variety of items, including sweets, meats, grease and even other insects. They get into your home through cracks, crevices, holes and damaged areas in your home’s structure.
While ants are less likely to spread disease in comparison to other pests, they can still contaminate food surfaces and pantry items, especially if they’ve traveled through unsanitary areas like garbage or drains. Some species—such as fire ants—can also deliver painful stings that trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Note: Clean up sugary spills immediately, seal food tightly and wipe down counters with Six Feet Under Plant-Powered Insect Spray to disrupt scent trails.
Roaches
These filthy critters are scavengers that will feed on anything. They thrive in unsanitary conditions and are difficult to get rid of. Roaches are known to spread diseases like E. coli and Salmonella.
Like ants, the common German cockroach can come in through cracks in the structure of the home. Larger roaches like the American and Oriental can come in through the plumbing of the home.
Note: Starve them out by storing food in airtight containers, fixing leaks and cracks and vacuuming regularly—especially in dark corners or under sinks.
Flies
Flies quietly buzz in through an open door or window. With their diet of rotten, decaying matter, feces, trash and spoiled meats, they continually pick up pathogens. The flies then carry these nearly invisible germs to wherever they land—your countertops or the sandwich you left on the counter. Like cockroaches, they can also spread E. coli and Salmonella. Flies can be very troublesome, especially if you have pets.
Note: Promptly clean up after your pets, keep trash cans tightly closed and take stinky trash out. Consider The Fly Inn Flying Insect Trap to control flies indoors without chemicals.
Moths
Moths can flitter in through an open door or thumb a ride on an item you bring in from the grocery store. The most commonly infested items are bags of rice, grains, flour or pet food (for pantry moths) and wool or other keratin-rich fibers (for clothing moths). Moths lay hundreds of eggs on pantry goods or clothing. You may unknowingly bring them home—from a grocery bag or even a new outfit from a warehouse.
Moths don’t carry diseases; many people—wait, don't take that bite of cereal—ingest moth eggs or larvae and don’t even know it. Now you may swallow.
Note: Store dry goods in airtight glass or hard plastic containers and place Pantry Moth Traps in your pantry—as a preventative measure—and Cedar Planks in your closet—as a natural repellent.
Bed bugs
Bed bugs get a little more complex. They are the ultimate hitchhiker, coming in from places you or your guests have been. They primarily live in areas where people sleep, but are not confined to a bed. They'll happily infest couches, chairs or any area where people sit for long periods. They travel via suitcases, purses, backpacks, clothing or on the furniture itself. Bed bugs are not known to carry diseases, but a bite can become infected from irritation.
Note: After travel, inspect luggage and clothing. Steam-clean affected furniture and vacuum daily to help disrupt the bed bug life cycle. Use Six Feet Under as a bug bomb alternative. *Six Feet Under is not a bed bug treatment, but will kill bed bugs.
Fleas and ticks
These pet dwellers can quickly infest a home—no need for an explanation on how they get in. The main difference between the two is that fleas will remain with a pet for their life, whereas ticks feed, detach and leave (and may not attach to that host again). Ticks are known to spread Lyme disease. Fleas can spread a feverish disease known as Typhus.
Note: Vacuum carpets and wash pet bedding frequently. Use a fine-toothed flea comb weekly (or more often if fleas are present) and keep outdoor areas tidy and mowed to reduce hiding spots.
Outdoor pests: Safe & effective solutions for a bug-free yard
If you enjoy the great outdoors—whether it's sipping a cool lemonade on your porch, splashing in the pool, lazily mowing your front lawn or going for a 10-mile hike—then understanding outdoor insects should be a priority.
Wasps
Wasps can be very aggressive and will sting multiple times with little provocation. Their nests can be built very close to homes—typically under roof eaves—and have several visual characteristics: a ball-like shape, gray in color, dry and papery texture and a honeycomb pattern (though this is on the inside of the nest). They can also nest inside walls of damaged siding or within woodpiles. The venom in their stings can be very harmful to those with an allergy to wasps.
Note: Remove food scraps, seal trash tightly and inspect under eaves or porch roofs. Use Six Feet Under: Barricade to treat common nesting spots before they build.
Mosquitoes
These little buzzing pests come around primarily at dawn and dusk. They love damp and humid conditions, thrive anywhere where there is standing water and are attracted to the carbon dioxide (and odor and heat and perspiration) your body emits. Mosquitoes can carry West Nile and Zika Virus.
Note: Eliminate standing water (gutters, plant saucers, kiddie pools) and treat shaded areas with Six Feet Under: Barricade for long-lasting mosquito control.
Spiders
Spiders can be indoor and outdoor menaces, enjoying and quietly hiding in dark, moist basements or drier, airier spaces like attics or high upper corners of rooms. (It depends on the type of spider you have.) Like ants, several species of spiders live around the home. The two most serious are the black widow and the brown recluse. Both are poisonous and a bite from either would require medical attention.
Note: Keep woodpiles and outdoor storage tidy and away from the home. Seal cracks and crevices and spray corners, crawl spaces or basements with Six Feet Under.
Why conventional pest control products may be harmful to your family
With so many threats out there, the knee-jerk reaction is to grab the nearest can of over-the-counter spray and douse anything that crawls or flies. But when you have pets and children in the house (and are concerned about your well-being), this is not the best option.
Sprays
Sprays often contain harsh chemicals that can be harmful to your health. Even the label on the can usually includes bold warnings: use caution, wear gloves or a mask and sometimes even leave the premises during application.
Many over-the-counter formulas rely on synthetic pyrethroids or organophosphates—chemical compounds linked to respiratory issues, skin irritation and potential endocrine disruption with repeated exposure. These risks aren’t limited to insects. Residues from these sprays can settle on floors, cling to furniture and linger in the air—posing hazards to toddlers, pets or anyone with sensitivities.
The danger of chemical sprays can linger long after the bugs are gone.
Bug bombs
These are timed sprays or fogs that are toxic and require you to leave home during the treatment. When you return, you have to wash everything in sight because all your belongings are now coated with a layer of poisonous goop. It’s also a temporary solution as bugs will simply return later.
Pet shampoos or dips
Fleas that are unrelenting on your pets can be deterred with a bath, but sometimes even those are loaded with harsh chemicals that can be harmful to pets and children. The same can be said of collars. They are strips of chemicals that are easily touched by both adults and children.
Pyrethrins
There are some “natural” pesticides out there that are used within the organic market. They claim to be safe and natural, but with some additives—called synergists—they can be anything but safe. This “natural” mixture is called pyrethrin. Made from the derivatives of the chrysanthemum flower, they are ground into a powder and made into a pesticide.
Pyrethroids
Scientists took pyrethrins and created synthetic versions in the lab. These human-made derivatives—pyrethroids—are designed to mimic the effects of natural pyrethrins. While effective against pests, pyrethroids are often combined with other chemicals that can pose risks to people, pets and the environment.
So what can you do when pests are persistent, but the usual options are filled with red flags?
A smarter, safer approach to pest control
Fortunately, there are better solutions than the chemical-heavy sprays and foggers of the past. Dr. Killigan’s offers a safer, plant-powered approach to pest control—one that’s designed to be tough on bugs but gentle on the spaces you live in.
Whether you're dealing with ants, roaches, flies or even outdoor pests like mosquitoes and wasps, there are effective alternatives that don’t require hazmat-level precautions. Instead of synthetic residues, these solutions use carefully chosen plant-based ingredients like essential oils to target bugs without compromising your family’s health or peace of mind.
And when it comes to replacing bug bombs or foggers specifically, there’s an option that gives you control—without the toxic cloud.
Safe and effective outdoor bug bomb alternative
If you're searching for a people-safe and pet-safe bug control solution, Six Feet Under: Barricade is a more effective choice. This isn’t a traditional fogger or aerosol. It’s a plant-based insect spray kit that gives you targeted, long-lasting control over more than 50 insect types.
Made with a blend of soybean oil, peppermint oil and plant-based sodium lauryl sulfate, this formula delivers lasting defense around:
- Home perimeters
- Entry points and cracks
- Garden paths and outdoor living spaces
- Patios and porches
Six Feet Under: Barricade works through a mechanical kill method, not synthetic neurotoxins. Bugs don’t develop resistance and you don’t have to trade safety for effectiveness.
It’s a simple, effective replacement for foggers or bombs—one that puts control back in your hands without compromising your space.
More than just fogger alternatives
While Barricade is an ideal replacement for bug bombs and chemical foggers, it’s only one part of Dr. Killigan’s comprehensive approach to pest control. From flying insects to pantry invaders, our full line of plant-powered products is designed to target bugs at every level—without harming the environment, your family or your peace of mind.
Whether you’re protecting indoor spaces or creating a bug-free outdoor retreat, there’s a trusted Dr. Killigan’s solution to meet the challenge.
Trusted pest control products by Dr. Killigan’s
Choose a smarter, safer way to eliminate pests—without the chemical cloud. Dr. Killigan’s pest control solutions are thoughtfully crafted to protect your family, your pets and the environment, while powerfully eliminating common household and outdoor bugs. Whether you’re battling ants, roaches, flies or moths, our plant-powered products let you reclaim your home and yard with confidence. Trust the experts in Killing Them Softly®—because pest control should be effective, elegant and safe when used as directed.
Not sure where to start? These standout products from Dr. Killigan’s make pest control simple, stylish and safe—no chemical clouds required.
Six Feet Under Plant-Powered Insect Spray
Our most popular kill-on-contact spray will dispose of most insects. Made with a mixture of soybean oil, plant-based sodium lauryl sulfate, cinnamon oil and clove essential oil, this pet-safe pest control spray is safe to use around children and food. Six Feet Under works on spiders, fleas, ticks, bed bugs, roaches, ants, moths, mosquitoes and other pests.
Premium Pantry Moth Traps
Specifically designed for pantry moths, this toxic-free pheromone moth trap is an easy trifold design. Simply fold, set in place and eliminate moths as they are drawn in. With a stylish design, these traps will restore peace to you and your home by Killing Them Softly.
The Fly Inn
The Fly Inn functions like a fly ribbon, but with Dr. Killigan’s signature sophisticated design. Wet the suction cups, choose a high-traffic fly hangout and attach The Fly Inn to a clean section of glass. Flies are naturally attracted to sunlight’s UVA rays. We use this natural attraction to give flies a permanent vacation. The beautiful lattice style of The Fly Inn leaves your guests clueless to the fact that you have an insect control product on display.
