You Are Really Starting To Bug Me!
This morning, I did a post over at Guerrilla Parenting about my disgust at the fly problem we’ve had around here, lately. I forgot to mention the annoyingly itchy mosquito bite I have on my cheek, or the ant invasion, in the post. I asked Marye, my very knowledgeable, fellow mother of a large brood, for some advice. Here is a great tip that, I think, fits nicely here at Simply Thrifty. “…try planting pots of basil around your doors…flies HATE it.” Thanks Marye! I was inspired by her suggestion and decided to do a little research on natural and cost effective bug repellents. Here are a few solutions that I was able to dig up:
- A bowl of soapy water, placed outside doorways, nabs those pesky flying insects. The moisture attracts them, but the soap kills them. Plus, it is not harmful to children.
- Cucumber rinds and mint tea bags repel ants.
- Keep wasps and bees at bay by using peppermint oil.
- Lemon juice is the cure for repelling mosquitoes.
- A mixture of water and any of the following essential oils (cedar, peppermint, tea tree, eucalyptus, or lavender) acts as a safe bug repellent for the skin. Spray all over before heading outdoors. Add 1-2 ounces of oil to 12 ounces of water and put into a marked spray bottle.
I’m going to try each and every one of these homemade remedies, for a bug free home! Now, if I could just figure out how to repel pesky sales people…
(Remedies courtesy of StatsSheet and Green Living Ideas)
Tags: ants, bees, bites, bug bites, bugs, flies, herbs, insects, mosquitoes, natural-remedies, outdoors, plants, repellent, waspsRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Around the House, Doing it Yourself, Eco Simplicity, Health & Wellness, How To
4 opinions for You Are Really Starting To Bug Me!
Tracee Sioux
Jun 30, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Try Afterbite to treat bug bites. Won’t prevent them, but stops al the itching.
Helen
Jun 30, 2008 at 4:15 pm
vinegar works just as good as afterbite (and it’s safer for you)
-for fruit flies, put a little bit of red wine in a glass with saran wrap over the top with a few [tiny] holes. They can get in but not out!
-for ’sugar ants’ use chalk. They are unable to walk through it.
Beth
Jun 30, 2008 at 5:33 pm
I am so trying the first one. I have a huge fly issue. Thanks for the tip.
evi
Jul 1, 2008 at 12:45 am
Tomato-plants are great for/against mosquitoes - they don’t like the smell. So just rub a leaf between your fingers and there shouldn’t be any more mosquitoes.
My mom also used mouthwash (because of the peppermint) to keep ants from taking over the kitchen. And she also had a deal with them, no kidding: she told them that between 11 am and 1pm, the kitchen was hers, the rest of the time, the ants were allowed - they stuck to that!
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