Bugs? Not in this house. Non toxic hacks that work
Summertime brings lots of bugs 😅 Here are my hacks for keeping our home bug free NATURALLY. Because the last thing I want are toxic chemicals around my toddler and dog.
🐛 Make sure all your exterior doors are sealed up tight! We got some extra stick on door seals from Home Depot. They’re cheap and easy to cut and stick.
🕷️ Spiders hate cedar which is why I have these cedar bags around our garage and exterior doors. I noticed a difference quite literally as soon as I put these out when a nearby spider ran away 😅
🐜 Ants, mosquitos and spiders hate peppermint. Using peppermint oil to wash things around your home or diffusing it is super helpful. You can also find mighty mint bug spray for your home on Amazon. I’m out of it right now, but it’s very effective. It’s a great alternative to professional bug treatment services without toxic ingredients.
🍌 Banana bugs get on my last nerve 😂 I’ve started freezing bananas as soon as they get ripe to use in smoothies or making muffins. I used to procrastinate a little on this, but in the summertime I know I have to use them right away or we’ll have bugs flying all over the kitchen.
I’ve also tried those blue light plug ins that trap bugs and I wasn’t a huge fan. Have you guys tried them? What hacks do you have to keep your home bug free??
Maintaining a bug-free home during the summer without resorting to harmful chemicals is a concern shared by many, especially families with toddlers and pets. In addition to the effective non-toxic hacks mentioned—such as sealing doors with stick-on seals, placing cedar bags to deter spiders, and using peppermint oil to repel ants, mosquitoes, and spiders—there are more natural strategies to consider. For instance, regularly cleaning and decluttering your home helps eliminate hiding spots and breeding grounds for insects. Focus on areas like kitchens and bathrooms where moisture accumulates. Using natural insect repellents like citronella candles, neem oil sprays, and vinegar solutions can further enhance protection. It is also beneficial to keep outdoor areas tidy by removing standing water and trimming vegetation near your home to reduce mosquito and spider populations. Regarding the issue of "banana bugs," or fruit flies attracted by ripe bananas, promptly refrigerating or freezing ripe fruit minimizes attraction. Additionally, homemade traps using apple cider vinegar or wine in a shallow dish covered with plastic wrap can effectively trap and reduce fruit fly numbers. When selecting peppermint oil or sprays like the Mighty Mint bug spray noted for their plant-based ingredients, choosing products labeled as safe for indoor use is vital. Diffusing essential oils like peppermint, lavender, or eucalyptus also adds a pleasant aroma while repelling insects naturally. Lastly, while blue light bug traps might seem appealing, they often attract only specific insect types and may not be effective for comprehensive pest control. Combining multiple natural methods tailored to your environment provides the best defense against bugs, promoting a healthy, chemical-free home environment all summer long.
I plant peppermint around the foundation of our house to keep the bugs away. we moved, and now I'm starting over next spring doing so