You have seen the Pinterest pictures that show when someone takes something ordinary and makes it extraordinary. The same can be said for pest control. There are normal everyday items you can find around your home that will help you win the war against invading pests. Here are five, do-it-yourself pest control hacks brought to you by your friends at Green Pest Services.

1.Steel Wool:

You’ve probably used steel wool when pots and pans are beyond dirty. The abrasive wool makes quick work of burned on food. It can also be used to keep mice from getting into your kitchen. Mice can fit through a hole about the size of a nickel. If you have pipes, electrical conduit or gas lines running into your home, the mice will follow. Rather than sharing your granola with a furry intruder, fill the hole with steel wool. Add caulking compound to glue it in and keep it tight. The abrasive steel wool will come to the rescue because it destroys rodent teeth. Mice will take one bite and stay away.

2.Beer:

If snails and slugs are turning your house plants into shredded wheat, beer will be your best friend. Grab an empty yogurt container or a red plastic and dig a hole in the area where slugs are at their worst. Burry the cup so the lip is even with the soil. Pour in some beer and wait overnight. Slugs and snails are attacked to the yeast and sugary booze. They fall into the beer filled container and since they are unable to get out, they drown. Make sure you clean out the dead slugs snails each morning. When the cup gets low, add more beer.

3.Corn Meal:

If ants are the bane of you kitchen or yard, corn meal can be your weapon of choice. When you see ant spot roaming ant lines are colony mounds, grab your corn meal box and add a few small piles around close to the six-legged intruders. Ants will eat the corn meal and take it back to the colony to share with their friends. The problem with corn meal is that ants cannot digest it. They eat it until they are full, yet starve to death. You will need to keep the corn meal flowing and remember it might take a few weeks to kill a colony.

4.Apple Cider Vinegar and Dishwasher Detergent:

If you have fruit flies zipping around your peaches, the solution is in your cupboards. Grab a cup, add apple cider vinegar and mix in a few drops of dishwashing detergent. Place your evil fly killing mixture next to your fruit bowl. The fruit flies will take a sip and die.

5.Dependable Pets:

One of the most effective ways of controlling mice and other rodents is to have a cat. Even the smell of a roaming cat will deter mice from entering your yard and those that do, become lunch. Dogs can keep out larger pests like rats, raccoons, squirrels and skunks.