We all hate having to deal with household and garden pests, but I'm sure you would prefer to use a natural pest control repellent. Many commercial repellents have dangerous chemicals in them which can be hazardous to your family and pets' health, and although it isn't fun having an infestation it feels better to be as humane as possible when eradicating the pests.

There are safer approaches you can try. Some store bought pest control repellents promise natural, non-toxic, even organic, ingredients and there are numerous products you can use that you probably have sitting in your own kitchen cupboards and refrigerator.

Here are some of the items you can use that will help eradicate pests but will be safe for you, your children and your pets:

Vinegar: Spray white vinegar anywhere you see or have seen ants and let it dry. Ants also dislike cucumber peel, lemon juice and black pepper, and they will not cross a line of chalk. In fact, with so many ant repellents it's surprising they are such a problem. Salt: Many pests, including ants, do not like salt, which means it is an excellent natural pest control repellent. It is also good against slugs; simply sprinkle salt around entrance ways to prevent them coming in. Garlic: You can sprinkle ground-up garlic around entrance ways to your home. It may cause a bit of a whiff but it will keep a variety of bugs out (not to mention the vampires). Cayenne Pepper and Cinnamon: These are both excellent pest control repellents. Mix either of them with water and used as a barrier at entrances to your home, or spray around areas where pests are often found. Mint: Very few people realise that mint is an excellent repellent against flies and ants. It can be planted and grown in problem areas or a mint extract can be mixed in water and sprayed where it's needed. Baking soda and Sugar: When these two baking ingredients are mixed in equal measure they can get rid of cockroaches. Just put it down wherever you have seen them. Cloves: Cloves work just like moth balls for repelling moths. Rosemary: Ground rosemary is a good pest control repellent against fleas. You can use it safely on your dog and around your home.

These are just a few ideas for natural pest control repellent, depending on which pests are causing you concern. By utilizing everyday household products you can feel content knowing you do not need to use harsh and sometimes toxic chemicals around your household in order to eradicate any unwanted visitors.