If you want to throw open your windows and doors to let some spring freshness in, here are a few natural, low-cost and cruelty-free remedies you can make at home to prevent bugs from coming into your house and setting up home…
I think we can all agree that there are some pests that are never supposed to come inside. If you allow insects and rodents a place to feed and shelter, they will be permanent house guests (and not the good kind either). There may be a time when it gets bad enough to call a pest control company, but let’s focus on prevention for now. Here are four natural remedies that will repel pests from your home before they have a chance to set up camp.
1. GARLIC AND MINT
This may seem like a strange combination to you, but believe me, bugs feel the same way and will stay off your inside plants as well as your garden plants. Take a few cloves and mint leaves and blend them up. Then put a drop or two of dishwasher liquid along with a dash of cayenne pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil and then let it sit for a few hours. Strain it and put it into a spray bottle, then voila! You’ve created a natural product that will keep pests away from any plant you choose.
2. CLEAN THAT DRAIN!
Many times there are food particles that remain in your sink and drain. Small insects will be attracted to the smell and may come to investigate (while bringing all their friends, of course). You can quickly remedy this by taking a ½ cup of baking soda and a ½ cup of vinegar and pour them down the drain, one after the other. Wait a few minutes, and flush it out with boiling water.
3. ESSENTIAL OILS FOR MOSQUITO CONTROL
These oils are harmless to humans, but are truly “essential” when combating mosquitoes at home. Haha, I love a good pun! Take 1 cup of water per 2 ½ teaspoons of essential oil and put it in a spray bottle, misting it around your home. This will create a nice smell for you but will be unbearable for the “skeeters”. Rotate different kinds, the best being: lemon eucalyptus, lavender, geranium, lemongrass, citronella, and tea tree.
5. COFFEE GROUNDS
You may love your coffee, but insects do not! In fact, this is one sure-fire way to prevent ants. Spread coffee grounds around your home where ants frequent, which will drive them further out and prevent them from getting into your home.
So there you have it; a few simple and quick methods you can use to repel unwanted bugs and keep your home smelling fresh at the same time. Let me know if you have any other suggestions for getting rid of insects around your home by leaving me a comment below and sharing your tips with us all.
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4 responses
Hi, in the past I’ve sprinkled cinnamon around the doorway or windowsill (wherever the ants are coming in) and it seems to put them off 🙂
How can I keep ants from coming into my home please.
Hi Mike, I’m not sure if the coffee grounds need to be fresh or can be used, do let me know if your experiment with used grounds works and I’ll update the post!
Will used coffee grounds work for keeping out bugs or do they need to be fresh? I suppose I could just try it but perhaps you already know 🙂