Natural Ways to Repel Bugs, Ants, and Insects this Summer

Repelling insects that creep into your home might be easier than you expect. You can do it easily and naturally; without bringing harmful toxins into your home by following some of this advice by the house cleaning experts, MOLLY MAID.

Reduce Clutter and Maintain a Clean Home

The first step in eliminating bugs, ants, and other insects whilst also preventing them from returning, is to eliminate junk and to clean your home thoroughly. When your home is messy, all of the clutter lying around provides ample hiding places for those creepy, crawly bugs and insects to build their home. The mess also prevents you from cleaning crumbs, and grime that’s possibly attracting those bugs.

Start by purging items you no longer need, organising the rest, and then cleaning the infected area thoroughly. Scrub. Disinfect. Vacuum!

Next, you absolutely must maintain that area and keep it clean so the bugs don’t have a reason to make a home!

Use Natural Ingredients to Repel Bugs, Ants, and Insects

Surprisingly, there are an array of natural ingredients that repel bugs, ants and insects at home. For some, it may only take one of these solutions say MOLLY MAID, the domestic cleaning professionals. But, if you have a major problem, you may want to try a combination or all of them all!

Vinegar

Vinegar is one of those magic ingredients. It cleans, it disinfects, and it even repels ants! Spray vinegar on and around any area that has an ant problem.

Plants and Herbs

Basil, mint, lemongrass, rosemary, garlic citronella plants and marigolds are all fantastic bug, ant and insect repellents. Plant them in your garden and put them in pots around your doors and windows. They’ll add colour to the exterior while also keeping those annoying bugs at bay. You can even put an entire bunch of the herbs or crush them and sprinkle them around your indoor problem areas.

Seriously, it’s as simple as getting a bunch of basil (or mint, or rosemary), and placing it near the spot where the bugs are entering (whether it be on the kitchen work surface, in the cupboard, or on the window sill).

Cinnamon

Sprinkle cinnamon on any ants you see and around the area they are entering the house. You can also dust items like the sugar bowl with cinnamon to keep ants away.

Talcum Powder

Ants don’t like talcum powder for some reason, so it can be used in a way similar to cinnamon.

Chalk

If you know where ants are entering your home, draw a circle around the opening with chalk. For some reason, they won’t crossover the line

Personal Insect Repellent

Bugs not only wreck havoc indoors, but if you’re super sweet, they probably love to attack you when you go outdoors. Many of these natural repellents can be adapted to act as a repellent that can be used on your body, such as citronella.

Herbs

Steep mint, rosemary, or basil in hot water like you would tea. Pour in a spray bottle and store in your fridge. Use as an insect repellent by spraying on your skin when needed.

Dryer Sheets

Keep dryer sheets in your pockets and/or rub the dryer sheets on your skin and clothes before going outside.

Citrus Peels

Rub citrus peels (oranges, lemons, limes) on skin keep bugs away.

Vanilla Extract

Mix one cup of water and one tablespoon of vanilla extract (do make sure corn syrup isn’t listed in the ingredients or it will make you sticky!). Bugs will stay away if you spray on your skin.

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