Home Inspector: 4 natural bug repellents
4 Natural Insect Repellents
As if there was any doubt, Summer is in full swing as evidenced by the heat and humidity.
With the sweltering temperatures comes an onslaught of insects: mosquitos, bees, ants and all things creepy and crawly.
As a leading home inspection company in Western New York, we often discover solutions to unique problems around the house. So, with this month’s Smart Tips, we are going to introduce you to 4 quick and easy natural insect repellents that can be quite effective as well as environmentally friendly.
- Plant lemon grass or citronella grass. The scent of these plants will help ward off mosquitos and other insects.
- Use essential oils of peppermint and lavender. You don’t need a lot, a few drops mixed with water and spritzed around the patio will help keep mosquitos, ants and bees at bay. You can also mix a few drops in with your sunscreen to use as a personal repellent.
- Basil, rosemary, cinnamon sprinkled in key areas will also keep ants and other insects away.
- Diatomaceous earth or boric acid is deadly to many insects. Apply it around your home in cracks and crevices from time to time to help keep the bugs out.
Employing a few natural methods of controlling the insect population around your home may not completely eliminate them, but it is certainly a more environmentally friendly alternative to chemicals. Each of these methods has been reported to be highly effective in controlling mosquitos, ants and bees or wasps. Good luck.