Tips

Fast and effective insect repellents for a clean and shiny home

Here are some effective tips for getting rid of insects using plants and common kitchen items.

27 October, 2023

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1. Mosquito repellent methods

– Peppermint

Peppermint plants (usually catmint) contain nepetalactone compound – an essential oil that is 10 times more effective in repelling mosquitoes than regular insect repellents. Therefore, it is recommended to plant some peppermint plants around the garden and outdoor area to reduce the occurrence of mosquitoes.

– Lemongrass

Similar to peppermint, lemongrass contains essential oils that have a special effect on preventing mosquitoes from flying towards it. Therefore, planting a pot of lemongrass on the porch can prevent mosquitoes from entering the house.

– Basil

According to Naturallivingideas, you should consider planting an herb garden with basil or lemon basil around the house. It not only provides fresh herbs for meals but also acts as a natural mosquito repellent.

– Chrysanthemum

Perhaps few people know this use of chrysanthemum flowers. Chrysanthemum flowers contain an ingredient in traditional medicine called chamomile, which is a common ingredient in insect repellent products. Therefore, this flower can avoid the damage caused by insects like mosquitoes.

– Lavender

Lavender is not only a beautiful flower but also one of the natural mosquito repellents. Although lavender has an attractive scent, mosquitoes do not like it, so placing a lavender vase in the house not only provides a pleasant fragrance, but also helps to decorate the space while repelling mosquitoes.

– Garlic

There are many ways to repel mosquitoes with garlic that have been applied for a long time. Garlic has a strong odor, so if there are too many mosquitoes in an area, you can crush a few cloves of garlic and apply the garlic solution to your skin to avoid mosquito bites.

– Rosemary

This is a type of plant that is often used to add flavor to fish and meat dishes, but you may not know that it is also a natural method of mosquito repellent. You can plant a few rosemary plants around the house to use whenever needed, while also repelling harmful insects.

– Orange and lime peel

After eating oranges or limes, you can keep the dried peels and burn a little bit of them inside the house. The essential oils in orange and lime peels will help mosquitoes stay away from your home.

2. Ant repellent methods:

– Fresh lemon

Squeeze fresh lemon juice into the ant nest or areas where ants gather, or sprinkle chopped lemon peel on them, the ant colony will disintegrate and leave. In addition, people also sprinkle coffee grounds, charcoal, talcum powder, or pepper on ant nests.

– Vinegar

Spread white vinegar powder around food storage areas, cabinets, and sinks to prevent ants from crawling in.

3. Cockroach repellent methods:

– Cucumber

Place a cucumber inside the kitchen cabinets or food storage areas, and cockroaches will stay away. If the smell of the cucumber diminishes after a few days, slice the cucumber lengthwise and continue to use it.

– Onion

Cockroaches are most afraid of the pungent smell of onions. Place a plate of chopped onions on the kitchen cabinets, and cockroaches will immediately move out. In addition, onions can also slow down the spoilage of food.

4. Repelling other insects:

– Lemon balm

To repel insects, make a mixture of sugar and lemon balm. First, grind sugar and lemon balm into powder at a ratio of 1:1 and place it where insects usually enter or gather. After 3-14 days, the insects will completely disappear. This is the most common insect repellent method used by Americans.