8 Surefire Tips to Keep Bugs at Bay This Summer

1. Banish Cockroaches with Baking Soda and Onions

Cockroaches may not carry diseases, but they are vectors for various illnesses, including diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, and typhoid fever. To keep these unwanted guests away, try this simple trick: chop an onion, mix it with a teaspoon of baking soda, and place the mixture in corners or areas where cockroaches tend to gather. You’ll soon notice a significant reduction in their presence.

2. Banish Ticks with Essential Oils

Ticks are tiny, spider-like creatures that latch onto skin and feed on blood. They are commonly found on the skin of animals and birds. To keep yourself and your furry friends safe, try these natural repellents:

For Humans: Combine 20 drops of geranium essential oil, 10 drops of herbal essential oil, 5 drops each of lavender and lemon or citronella essential oils, a small amount of alcohol, and dilute with 100 ml of vinegar or water. Transfer the mixture to a spray bottle, shake well, and spritz onto your clothes before venturing outdoors.

For Pets: Mix 20 drops each of rose and peony essential oils with 2 tablespoons of almond oil. Apply a few drops to your pet’s coat or collar, avoiding their eyes and mouth. This method is not recommended for pregnant or nursing cats and dogs.

3. Protect Your Garden with Chili and Garlic Spray

For gardeners, there’s nothing more frustrating than discovering pests like aphids and scale insects feasting on your precious plants. Instead of resorting to chemical pesticides, try this natural repellent: mix 1/2 cup of chopped garlic or onions with 1/2 cup of chili powder to form a thick paste. Dilute this mixture with 500 ml of warm water and let it infuse for 24 hours. Strain the liquid and use it to spray your plants, keeping pests at bay without harmful chemicals.

4. Keep Spiders Away with Peppermint Oil

Mix 5-10 drops of peppermint essential oil with 200 ml of water and 1/4 teaspoon of liquid detergent. Spray this natural repellent in areas where spiders tend to lurk, such as windowsills and balconies. Repeat this process weekly until the spiders vacate the premises. Alternatively, you can use lemongrass or lavender essential oils for the same effect.

5. Ants Be Gone with Cinnamon Powder

Instead of relying on insecticides, try a natural approach to ant control: cinnamon powder. Ants detest the smell of cinnamon, so sprinkle it in areas where they tend to gather. For even better results and a delightful fragrance, mix the cinnamon powder with a few drops of your favorite essential oil.

6. Banish Dust Mites with Eucalyptus Oil

Dust mites are microscopic creatures that thrive in warm environments like beds and pillows. While they don’t bite, they can trigger allergies in sensitive individuals. To eliminate these unwanted guests, mix six teaspoons of eucalyptus oil with 1.5 teaspoons of laundry detergent. Use this solution to soak bedding, pillowcases, and other washable items. For non-washable items like pillows and mattresses, spray the solution directly onto the fabric and wipe it off with a dry cloth. Alternatively, tea tree oil can be used in place of eucalyptus oil.

7. Keep Weevils Away with Bay Leaves

Weevils are tiny pests that can invade your stored grains, cereals, and other dried goods if they are not properly sealed. These insects detest the smell of bay leaves or cloves, so place a few bay leaves in your stored food or scatter them around the containers to keep weevils at bay.

8. Banish Drain Flies with Baking Soda and Vinegar

Drain flies, also known as moth flies, are small insects that thrive in damp, low-oxygen environments, such as sewer systems and drainage pipes. To eliminate these pests, start by pouring baking soda down the drain, followed by vinegar. The mixture will fizz and bubble, breaking down the organic matter that drain flies feed on. After two hours, flush the drain with a pot of boiling water to rinse away any remaining residue. With this natural approach, you’ll soon notice a significant reduction in drain fly activity.