Love your lawn and garden but hate the thought of using dangerous pesticides or herbicides? Try these six proven do-it-yourself pest eliminators – all made from common ingredients that you may have in your kitchen right now!

1. To get rid of snails and slugs in your garden, add crushed eggshells to your soil. To them, it's walking on glass, so snails and slugs will tend to avoid the area entirely. If slugs are a continuing problem, a few pinches of salt will make quick work of them.

2. Garlic cloves and hot peppers are an effective deterrent for all kinds of pests. Try blending a chopped garlic clove (without peeling), a couple of hot peppers or a jar of hot pepper sauce, along with a few drops of liquid bleach. Mix with water and add to a spray bottle and start hosing the invaders down. Don’t forget to spray the undersides of leaves where pests tend to hide.

3. If a fungus has invaded your plants, mix a few drops of dishwashing liquid and water and wipe it down. You’ll be surprised how quickly this will rejuvenate sickly looking plants!

4. Nutrient-rich soil is one of your best defenses against common garden ailments. Adding organic mulch around trees and flower beds, and add a layer of organic soil to your lawn every spring. The nutrients help keep plants fresh and act as a shield to protect your plants from parasites.

5. If mildew, mold or fungus is a problem, here’s a solution you can spray right on the plant that makes a big difference in a very short time. Combine a gallon of water, a tablespoon of baking soda and 2 ½ tablespoons of vegetable oil. Put into a spray bottle and mist plants from top to bottom – even in places where there are no signs of a problem.

6. Leftover coffee grounds make great ingredients to compost. They work as natural pesticides and literally “perk up” ailing plants. Place the grounds into the soil surrounding your plants. The acidity of the coffee is what keeps invaders at bay.

Finally, consider enlisting the help of a “natural army” of ladybugs and earthworms. They help keep common pests like aphids away and keep the soil fertilized and healthy. Don't forget to walk around your garden or landscape often and inspect your plants for any signs of damage. Early action is the key!