We can’t get enough of sweet summertime. We love the sunshine, the long days, the food, cooling off by the pool, all of it. And while we know that bugs are vital parts of our ecosystem, we have simply had enough of them being in our homes. But on the same hand, we don’t wish them harm. So here are the ways we’re keeping pests at bay naturally.
Basil
Indoor pests despise basil, which is good news for those of us that can’t get enough of it. Have a pot or two of basil sitting around (think doorways, windowsills, and kitchen counters), and flies especially will want nothing to do with you or your indoor herbs.
Citrus Peels
Another aromatic way to deter flies, as well as mosquitos, is to take a citrus peel and rub them on any problem areas you have in your house. Not only will doing this repel bugs, but it’s going to make your home smell incredible.
Citrus Spray
If you love the smell of citrus fruits, you may want to use these tips whether you have a pest problem or not. For spiders specifically, mix up a concoction of water and unsweetened lemon or lime juice in a spray bottle. Now you can wipe down any counters, cabinets, or doorways that tend to be problem areas. If you have a garden with a spider problem as well, you can spread lime, lemon, or orange peels around to keep them away from your outdoor space.
White Vinegar
Got ants? We can help with that! The trick with getting rid of ants is all about getting rid of the little trail they leave behind for all of their little ant friends to follow, and white vinegar can do just that.
Dish Soap
If you’ve ever walked to your sink just to be greeted by a tiny swarm of fruit flies, then you probably know how hard they are to get rid of. We have a really simple approach for this: first, you’ll fill a glass three-quarters full with either white or apple cider vinegar, then you’ll add six to eight drops of dish detergent to the glass, and lastly, you’ll top off your glass with some warm water. Just set your glass near your sink or wherever your problem area is and you’ll be able to see the results.
Cinnamon
Pests hate cinnamon and won’t even consider crossing any cinnamon lines you have out so go ahead and sprinkle cinnamon near any doorways or along any walls where you often see them.