Every now and then, we have tiny or sometimes a little bit bigger, six-legged or eight-legged creatures invading our homes. They seek primarily food, shelter, or both. To control pests, the best way is not to invite them inside in the first place. Keeping your home clean and storing food in containers will help. Yet, sometimes we still face bugs showing up in our house.
Of course, plenty of conventional products out there can give a quick and effective solution to the problem. However, those chemicals are full of harmful and dangerous substances and would not be a clever solution for those with kids. A natural bug spray can be made inexpensively and naturally at home. Here are ten natural ways to keep those annoying mosquitoes, flies, ants, or cockroaches away.
Homemade Mosquito Repellent
via www.attainable-sustainable.net
You probably have already heard about DEET and other chemicals present in many commercial insect repellents. Here is a really effective and 100% natural recipe to avoid applying those store-bought chemicals onto your skin. Mix together neem seed oil, olive oil, coconut oil, and citronella essential oil in a small jar with an eyedropper top.
Essential Oil Bug Spray
With this completely chemical-free bug spray, you can eliminate ants, flies, spiders, and rodents around your home. Choose from essential oils with insect repellent effects such as Citronella, Clove, Lemongrass, Rosemary, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Lavender, or Mint. The more oils you use, the stronger the spray will be, and you can choose more than just one. Mix it with Witch Hazel, distilled water, and fill it in a spray bottle. It works great and smells good too! Don’t get any in your eyes, and when using on the skin for your kids, make sure they are not allergic to any of the essential oils by placing a little bit over a small area. You can spray it on surfaces and generally everywhere where insects show up.
Bug Spray with Dried or Fresh Herbs
To get the essence out of plants, add 3-4 tbsp of dried or fresh herbs (any combination from the above-mentioned ones) in a cup of boiling water. Mix well, cover, and let it cool. After that, strain herbs out and mix the herb water with 1 cup of witch hazel or rubbing alcohol. Store in the fridge in a spray bottle and use it when needed. After cleaning your kitchen surface and cupboards thoroughly, spray this bug spray to keep food moths, cockroaches, and ants away.
Homemade Insect Repellent with Vinegar
Vinegar is a truly amazing, versatile, and eco-friendly product. It can be used for dozens of different things, from canning vegetables to house cleaning. Ants and other insects don’t like vinegar. That’s why you can use it to keep them at bay. Mixed with essential oils, it is a very effective combination. Here is the recipe: 8 oz apple cider vinegar, 45 drops Peppermint Essential Oil, 15 drops Lemon or Wild Orange Essential Oil. Mix ingredients in a spray bottle and apply liberally. Store in the fridge when not in use. Should last 2-3 months.
Super Strong Insect Repellent
via brit.co
Vinegar, as mentioned above, is a very effective bug repellent. It stinks when it is wet, but the smell disappears as it dries. You will need a 32-ounce bottle of Apple Cider Vinegar, 2 tbsp. each of dried Sage, Rosemary, Lavender, Thyme, and Mint plus a glass jar with an airtight lid. Put all ingredients into the jar, seal tightly and shake well each day for 2-3 weeks. Strain the herbs out and store them in spray bottles. Spray whenever you need serious pest control!
Peppermint Oil on Cotton Balls
Peppermint oil is a fantastic natural deterrent. Spiders, other insects, and rodents don’t like the smell, and they will not try to go near it. Simply douse the cotton balls with undiluted peppermint essential oil. It will serve as an extra barrier to keep the ants out of the home. Use a cotton ball to wipe down the area by the entrance, and if you find the crack in which they are sneaking through, stuff another cotton ball into it.
Bay leaves, Cucumber, Garlic
All these plants work well as a natural repellent, especially against ants. Leave cucumber peels or slices in the kitchen. For some reason, ants have a natural aversion to cucumber and garlic. Bay leaves also work fine. Peel garlic, crush or slice it for a more intense aroma, and the ants will definitely disappear.
Flypaper
Instead of using harmful chemicals or pricey fly traps, you can make your very own flypaper. With only a few household ingredients and materials, you can get rid of the annoying little critters. You only need honey, sugar, water and some paper.
Diatomaceous Earth
via www.theprairiehomestead.com
Diatomaceous Earth or DE is an off-white talc-like powder, almost pure silica. Basically, it is a substance made up of the fossilized remains of marine phytoplankton. It is completely harmless for mammals – we can eat it, but it easily kills any bug with an exoskeleton. Use a bulb puffer to blow DE into crevices where bugs are likely to hide. It is an inexpensive, non-toxic, and effective way to kill bugs without using insecticide.
Keep the house clean and eliminate clutter
Bugs, especially cockroaches, like to hide and set up camp in stacks of papers on the floor or bottom of cupboards. Make sure to keep the area under the sink, water heater, behind the fridge, washer, and dryer clean. Hoover and mop the floor regularly and spray the area afterwards with any of the above-mentioned DIY Bug Spray. Never leave dishes in the sink; keep your fridge clean and wipe counters thoroughly after cooking. Again, use natural bug spray the keep unwanted insects away.
