That frustrating buzz in your ear at night or the scurry of tiny legs across your kitchen counter doesn’t have to mean reaching for harsh chemicals. Nature provides powerful solutions using ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. Bay leaves and cloves, those humble kitchen staples, double as formidable insect repellents when prepared correctly.
For a refreshing change from chemical sprays, try this simple herbal infusion: simmer 15 bay leaves and 10 cloves in a cup of water for about ten minutes. Once cooled and strained, this aromatic liquid becomes a potent spray that sends flies and cockroaches packing. The strong essential oils released during heating create an invisible barrier pests simply can’t stand. Mist it along windowsills, behind appliances, and in pantry corners for lasting protection that leaves your home smelling like a spice market rather than a chemical factory.
Mosquitoes require different tactics. Their attraction to fermentation makes a simple sugar-yeast trap remarkably effective. Mix five teaspoons of sugar with a cup of warm water in a cut plastic bottle, adding a pinch of yeast to start the fermentation process. The carbon dioxide produced mimics human breath, luring mosquitoes into the bottle where they become trapped. Place these near windows or outdoor seating areas to significantly reduce those itchy bites.
