Home Smart Homeowner
These common household products make great insect-control solutions. Keep those pests away with these natural remedies.
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Coffee Grounds
Those coffee grounds are good for more than just a cup of coffee. Try using your leftover coffee grounds in spots around the outside of your home where you think pests are coming in. Many critters can’t stand the smell of the grounds and will steer clear. You can also use coffee grounds to critter-proof your garden.
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Banana
Are aphids taking over your garden? Just place a banana peel under the soil near the stems of your plants. This will not only deter the bugs, but it will add some nutrients to the soil. Try these tips for getting rid of garden weeds.
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Apple Cider Vinegar
If those pesky fruit flies are invading your kitchen, grab a small bowl and pour in a little apple cider vinegar. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and punch a couple pencil-lead-sized holes in the plastic. The fruit flies will be attracted to the vinegar and they can get in but not out. Vinegar can also be used to make a natural cleaner.
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Cornmeal
Seeing ants? Place small piles of cornmeal down wherever you see ants. Ants like to eat the cornmeal and they will take it back to their colony but they can’t digest it. It may take a few days to work, but if you have pets, it’s a non-toxic solution. Learn 17 pet care and safety tips.
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White Vinegar
Ants leave a trail which makes it easier for other ants from the colony to find their way to food. To wash away the trail, use a solution made from 1/4 cup white vinegar, 2 cups water and 10 drops of peppermint or eucalyptus oil. Some oils can also be used to clean furniture and fight odors.
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Fresh Herbs
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Essential Oils
Make your own dust mite repellent spray with essential oils. Mix eucalyptus, lavender, clove or peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle. Use it to mist furniture and linens and allow the spray to air dry. Follow these tips to clean your rugs and rid them of dust mites.
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Basil
Sweet basil not only works great in recipes, but it also wards off flies, making it one of the best patio plants. Just plant a pot of sweet basil and place in a sunny spot next to a frequently used door. There are many edible plants you can grow in pots and containers if you have a small space.
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Cloves
If ladybugs are taking over an area of your home, place some bags of cloves or sprinkle some clove oil in heavily infested areas. Ladybugs don’t like strong scents and will evacuate quickly. Then vacuum or sweep up the cloves. Try these tips to get rid of Japanese Beetles in your garden.
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