The smell of lemons can help repel ants
Even the cleanest homes and neatest yards are beset by flying, creeping, and crawling pests every so often. Don’t run for the chemical sprays, however—let natural deterrents and essential oils get the job done.
DON’T BUG ME
There are plenty of safe methods to convince insects, mice, and other unwelcome critters to stay clear of you, your pets, your home, and your backyard.
Lemon for Ants: The smell of lemons can help repel ants. The lemon scent will cover the scent tracks they use to communicate where to go. There are three methods for preventing ants from entering your home and pantries: Soak a washcloth in lemon juice and wipe down all areas where you think ants are entering the house. Leave lemon rinds around outside doorways to repel them. Soak cotton balls with lemon essential oil and place in cabinets where food is kept.
The smell of lemons can help repel ants
Keep Ants Out with Salt: One way to deal with an ant problem—without setting down traps or poison that could harm pets or small children—is to line doorways and windowsills with salt. Sprinkle a line of salt anywhere you suspect ants or other insects may be entering your house, and you should see a noticeable decrease in the number of ants in your home.
Mice Deterrent: In order to counter any unwelcome rodent visitors, sprinkle borax on the floor along the walls and on any areas where you believe the mice may be entering your home. Mice tend to run along the floor at the base of walls but dislike getting borax on their feet and therefore are less likely to return to that area of the house. Peppermint sachets are also quite effective: mice hate the smell and will avoid it at all costs.
Flea Killer: If you suspect that you have fleas breeding in your home, try using borax to eliminate the problem. Identify any and all areas where fleas might be hatching, and sprinkle a light layer of borax over the area. Let the borax sit on there for a day and then vacuum it away. Good places to check are dog beds, carpets, and any other areas where pets gather in your home.
Pest-free Pets: You can keep Fido flea and tick free by using natural controls. Slice a lemon, place it in a bowl, then pour boiling water over it and let it soak overnight. Sponge the liquid over your dog’s coat to give fleas the brush. (Do not use on cats.) Make a pennyroyal or cedar antiflea sachet to attach to your dog’s collar. Or make one with geranium oil to repel ticks.
Personal Repellents: You can keep mosquitoes away from family and friends outdoors with applications of the essential oils of lemongrass, sage, or rosemary. You can also purchase nontoxic pheromone mosquito traps to hang in the yard.
Tip: Diatomaceous earth sprinkled in outdoor play areas will help discourage ticks from preying on children and pets.
DIY: Stay-Away Spray
Keep Out Pests: If you are dealing with an infestation of roaches or ants, simply make a mixture of equal parts sugar and borax and sprinkle the mixture anywhere you think the insects may be entering your home.
Kill Cockroaches: Many of the commercial options for dealing with a cockroach infestation are loaded with harmful chemicals. Fortunately, a more natural option is available: you can kill cockroaches with white vinegar. Put white vinegar in a spray bottle and spray roaches whenever you see them. Additionally, you should wipe down your floors and countertops with white vinegar to clean the surfaces and remove any lingering smells of foods or crumbs that attract roaches and other pests.