Household Insect Repellents
There are a number of different insect repellents you can use that are already in your home. Household items that repel bugs include:
Citronella
Almost anything that contains citronella can repel flies and many other pests. Some people burn citronella candles in their homes, while others soak towels in citronella oil. There are also citronella sprays that quickly and easily fill the entire house with the scent—something most people like but most bugs hate.
Peppermint Oil
Using peppermint oil is popular these days. People use it to treat everything from skin problems to depression. Peppermint oil can also be extremely useful in pest control, especially for keeping mosquitoes away. Most pests cannot stand the smell of peppermint oil, even though many humans love it. It is also toxic to many insects. Leaving traces of it around the house, particularly in "hot spots" that tend to attract pests, can kill some insects and cause others to leave.
Tea Tree Oil
This is another great essential oil that works well in the fight against pests. Most people love the pleasing scent of tea tree oil, which is similar to pine. Tea tree oil can be applied directly to certain household surfaces. Soaking a rag in tea tree oil will also create a potent scent that repels pests.
Vanilla Extract
The scent of vanilla extract can be used to ward off mosquitoes and many other pests. Some people use vanilla extract as a topical pest repellent, as it can be safely applied to the skin without any issues. It can also be applied to household surfaces without causing damage. The strong odor of vanilla extract around the house repels insects while remaining pleasant for humans.
Garlic
Many insects strongly dislike the smell of garlic. People who eat garlic regularly are actually less likely to get bitten by mosquitoes since the smell of garlic becomes more noticeable as they perspire. Leaving out garlic cloves around the house can be similarly effective. Fresh garlic cloves typically have an odor that seems mild to humans but much stronger to the insects people are trying to repel.
Fabric Softener Sheets
Placing fabric softener sheets around the home can quickly reduce the pest population. Many modern fabric softeners contain the compound linalool, which has an odor that mosquitoes and many flying insects despise.
If people want to avoid using fresh fabric softener sheets for this purpose, used ones can still work relatively well. The linalool may still be present even after the sheet has been used. This method allows people to reuse fabric softener sheets rather than throwing them out while also effectively repelling pests.
Eucalyptus
Many people use eucalyptus as a healing remedy, but it is also highly effective for pest control. Soaking a small towel in eucalyptus oil and placing it in an area that attracts pests can make a significant difference very quickly.
Detergent
People don’t always need to use herbal remedies for pest control. In some cases, detergent can be just as effective. Diluted detergent works well as a spray—simply spray it in any area full of flies and bugs, and they will begin to disappear.
Pest Repellents
Many scents that repel insects also have positive side effects around the house. A lot of people enjoy these scents, and they can make a home feel cleaner as a result. These pest control methods also provide an opportunity to reuse old fabric softener sheets and detergent. Pest control can and should be safe for humans. These household items are truly only harmful to insects.
If you are looking for a pest exterminator in Northern California, contact our team today!
