Saying goodbye to flies, mosquitoes and cockroaches may seem like a challenge, but there are natural and effective solutions to keep these annoying insects away without resorting to chemicals. Buzzing flies, mosquito bites and the occasional cockroach invasion are sources of frustration for many of us, especially in the summer. However, with simple methods and common ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen, you can create repellents and traps that will make these pests disappear.
Why opt for natural solutions?
Commercial insect repellents are often effective, but they contain chemicals that can be harmful to human health, that of pets and the environment. Opting for natural repellents is not only safer, but it can also be less expensive. Homemade methods are a sustainable and environmentally friendly way to control pests.
Ingredients needed
To make these natural solutions, you will need a few simple ingredients:
5 tablespoons of sugar
1 tablespoon of yeast
1 cup of water
15 bay leaves
10 cloves
1 2-liter plastic bottle
1/2 cup of regular shampoo
1/2 cup of vegetable oil
1/2 cup of white vinegar
These readily available ingredients are effective at repelling or trapping insects. They work by disrupting the pests’ environment or luring them into traps from which they can no longer escape.
Step 1: Mosquito Trap
Not only are mosquitoes irritating, they can also transmit diseases. Fortunately, with a simple homemade trap, you can reduce their numbers.
Instructions:
Dissolve 5 tablespoons of sugar in a cup of warm water.
Add 1 tablespoon of yeast and mix well.
Take a 2-liter plastic bottle and cut it in half, at the neck.
Pour the mixture into the bottom of the bottle.
Place the top of the bottle upside down in the bottom, creating a funnel.
Place the trap in areas where you have noticed mosquitoes, such as near windows or on the balcony.
This trap is effective because mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide released by the reaction between the sugar and the yeast. Once they enter the bottle, they will no longer be able to escape.
Step 2: Cockroach and fly repellent
Cockroaches and flies are often attracted to food scraps and damp areas. To keep them away, here is a natural repellent that works very well.
Instructions:
In a saucepan, boil 15 bay leaves and 10 cloves in a cup of water.
Let the mixture boil for about 10 minutes, then remove it from the heat to cool.
Once cool, transfer the mixture to a spray bottle.
Spray this repellent in areas where you have seen roaches or flies, such as the kitchen, pantry, or bathroom.
Bay leaves and cloves give off odors that these insects do not like. This deters them from staying in the treated areas.
Step 3: Multi-insect repellent spray
For a more versatile repellent that works against mosquitoes as well as roaches and flies, you can create a spray using shampoo, vegetable oil, and white vinegar.
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