Getting rid of insects can be quite a hard task! I’m sure many of you are fed up of those pesky pests around your house and have tried most of the store-bought insect repellents to no avail. Maybe you could try out some of these natural homemade pest repellents to get rid of these troublesome insects!
Here are ways to get rid of 10 types of insects using homemade natural, non-toxic bug repellents:
1. For Ticks
Into a spray bottle, add in 4 tablespoons of olive oil and ¼ teaspoon of geranium bourbon essential oil and give it a mix and rub this mixture onto your pet’s body and feet to get rid of ticks.
2. For Spiders
In 250ml of water, add 15 drops of any peppermint essential oil with ¼ tsp dishwashing soap, mix well and pour into a spray bottle. Spray this on the affected areas and keep repeating this process once to twice a week, over a few weeks until the spiders have disappeared. This method is beneficial as the smell of the essential oil keeps the spiders away.
Tip: You can also make small pouches filled with dried herbs and place them around your house to keep spiders at bay for longer periods, as spiders repel the scent of the dried herbs.
3. For Ants
Method 1: Take 20 ml of hand wash or soap liquid and 1½ cup of water, mix well and pour into a spray bottle. Spray this liquid directly onto the ants.
Method 2: Pour 1 cup of white vinegar into 1 cup of water. Add in few drops of peppermint essential oil and clove essential oil. If you have pets then essential oils can be harmful so instead use 2 tsp of cinnamon powder. Mix well and pour this liquid into a spray bottle. Spray this liquid all over your floor and swab your floor thereafter.
vinegar acts as an ant repellent as it has acidic oil that is toxic to ants and can disrupt their trail
4. For Flies
Into a spray bottle, add in 1 cup of water and ¼ teaspoon of lemongrass essential oil and give it a mix and spray this mixture over your kitchen countertop and areas where flies swarm to get rid of flies.
Add a sponge inside a jar along with drops of lavender essential oil on a sponge. Close the lid and open it while outside when enjoying the food.
5. For Cockroaches
Method 1 – In 1 cup of water, add in 6 to 8 drops of rosemary essential oil and 8 to 10 drops of peppermint oil, mix well and pour into a spray bottle.
Method 2 – For 1 cup of water, add 1/2 tbsp of clove powder, 2 tbsp borax, 1/2 cup vinegar and 1 tablespoon of baking soda.
Spray this on the cockroach infected areas and use it one to two times a week until the cockroaches disappear. This method is beneficial as the smell of the essential oils are known to keep cockroaches at bay.
Combine equal parts borax and white table sugar and add in few drops of tea tree essential oil. Dust the mixture any place you’ve seen roach activity.
In addition to flour, cockroaches also love cocoa powder, so mix equal parts of cocoa powder or flour with diatomaceous earth (found in hardware stores and online) and sprinkle it near cockroach entryways or in places where you’ve seen the cockroaches.
6. For Mosquitoes
In 1/4 cup of water, 2 tbsp witch hazel add in 10 drops of lemongrass essential oil and 10 drop of citronella essential oil, mix well and add it into a spray bottle or a roll-on bottle. Spray this on your clothes, to repel mosquitoes.
This method is beneficial as mosquitoes detest the smell of essential oils. READ MORE – MAKE NATURAL MOSQUITO REPELLENT CANDLES
Caution: Remember to always dilute the essential oil in water before using and do not directly apply it on the skin as essential oils are harsh and can cause side effects.
7. For Bees
Into a spray bottle, add in 1 tablespoon of water and 1 tablespoon of peppermint essential oil and give it a mix and rub this mixture onto arms, ankles and hair to keep at bay and avoid bee stings.
8. For Fruit Flies
Fill up a small jar or bowl with apple cider vinegar and cover the top with a plastic wrap or saran wrap/cling wrap and secure the sides of it with a rubber band so the surface is tightly covered and sits in place.
Then poke 4 to 6 small holes into the surface of the plastic wrap with a toothpick. The fruit flies will come in through these holes and will be unable to escape.
This method is beneficial as the fruit flies get attracted to the smell of the apple cider vinegar, get into the trap and cannot come out.
8. Moth
Moths too are not fans of the scent so cinnamon can be used in wardrobes to keep them away from your clothes.
Make a small sachet with few cinnamon, peppercorns and cloves, keep them in your cabinets and pantry.
9. Fleas – Get a spray bottle and fill it with one cup apple cider vinegar and 1 cup of water to fill spray bottle.
10. Repel Cats – Cats dislike the smell of lavender, peppermint, pennyroyal, Coleus canina, rosemary, and lemongrass. Plant a few of these throughout the garden.
