Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵
Combatting Household Pests: Simple Strategies to Keep Bugs Out This Summer
As warmer weather arrives, the seasonal challenge of preventing insects and spiders from entering residences begins. Increased temperatures elevate insect activity, coinciding with a greater desire for open windows to allow fresh air in, inadvertently creating entry points for unwanted critters. Effective pest control methods are crucial for maintaining a comfortable home environment during summer months.
Effective Cleaning Hacks to Deter Insects
Utilizing Cutlery for Door Track Cleaning
A recently highlighted tip involves using common cutlery and a cloth to effectively deter bugs from entering homes. According to cleaning expert Chantel Mila, dirty door tracks, specifically the lower sections of exterior door frames, can become “breeding grounds for bugs.” To combat this, Mila recommends wrapping a microfiber cloth around a blunt knife to access and thoroughly clean these narrow spaces. This technique, shared with her substantial TikTok following, emphasizes that these crevices often accumulate dirt, debris, and food particles that attract pests.
Natural Repellents for a Pest-Free Home
The Power of Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is presented as a valuable resource for eliminating bugs within the home. Mila advises saturating cotton balls with peppermint oil and placing them at the base of bins, beneath the liner, to repel insects. Additionally, peppermint oil-soaked cotton balls can be placed inside vacuum cleaners to disperse a refreshing scent throughout the house during cleaning. However, caution is advised for pet owners, as peppermint oil can be harmful to animals.
Citrus and Vinegar Solutions for Spider Control
Spiders are known to dislike the scent of orange oil, according to Mila. Washing walls and floors with orange oil can act as a natural spider repellent. For households with pets, white vinegar is suggested as a safe alternative to deter spiders.
Peppermint Oil for Fly Repulsion
Pest control specialists at Pestco confirm that flies are also deterred by peppermint oil. They suggest adding a few drops of peppermint oil to a candle wick before lighting it. This method effectively disperses the repelling scent throughout a room. Furthermore, Pestco notes that peppermint oil is most effective against insects with soft bodies.
Fresh Mint as a Window Barrier
To prevent insects from entering homes via windows, consider placing fresh mint in water-filled jars on window sills. This natural barrier can help deter pests from crossing the threshold.
Rosemary and Lemon for Natural Pest Deterrence and Home Fragrance
Harnessing Rosemary’s Repellent Properties
Rosemary also possesses insect-repelling qualities. Mila suggests that “Spiders hate the smell of rosemary.” She recommends boiling lemon and rosemary on the stove to create a pleasant home fragrance that simultaneously deters spiders. The resulting infused water can also be used as a spray for windows, enhancing its pest-repelling effect.
Additional Home Maintenance Tips
Beyond pest control, Mila shares other home maintenance tips, including:
- Adding salt to black laundry to preserve color and prevent fading.
- Applying candle wax to faucets to minimize hard water stains.
- Using shaving foam to polish mirrors for enhanced shine.
- Cleaning bathtubs with a mop to reduce back strain.
- Cleaning suede with micellar water applied with a cotton pad.
- Deodorizing sinks by scrubbing with a lemon half sprinkled with baking soda.