Whether you live in the city or country, pests are all around. Cockroaches, mice, and ants can all cause damage to your home and put the health of your family at risk.
Growing up in the country, I have had to deal with my fair share of ant problems. When I was a kid, they once got into our cereal. They ignored the regular Cheerios, but they were all over the honey nut flavor. To this day, I feel queasy when looking at a box of honey nut Cheerios.
My house is filled with young children and pets. I dread using harmful and toxic chemicals to keep the pests away. Natural pest removal is the only way I go. Luckily, there are great ways to keep pests out of your home naturally.
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Fleas and ticks are a problem for most pet owners. Tick and flea medications are filled with so many toxic compounds. I have a hard time telling my son not to play with his puppy because I've just applied flea/tick medication. Here are some essential oil-based repellents for dogs or cats.
Mice can cause much damage to your home and food reserves. Poison can be dangerous around your family. Even if it is placed in out-of-reach places, mice will move it to their nests. This happened once when I was young. It ended up in my shoes.
Cats are natural mice hunters. We owned a cat who was a pro at getting rid of them. Shelters are full of adult cats who most likely came off of the streets. They are the best mice catchers! They've had to hunt to stay alive, and they will use that skill to keep any house free of mice.
Cotton balls with a drop of either peppermint, spearmint, and/or eucalyptus essential oil act as a great mice deterrent. Place them in areas where you know the mouse has been hiding or munching. They can also be placed in closets, drawers, and near openings to the outside.
Springtime in our house is ant time. It absolutely stresses me out! Luckily, I have my essential oils to help. I make a mixture of vinegar, lavender essential oil, and peppermint essential oil. I spray door and window jambs to keep them out.
Flies dislike cloves, and I love cloves. An excellent way to keep your home free of flies and great-smelling is to have a bowl of cloves near where flies are prominent. You can sprinkle essential oil like eucalyptus, lavender, or peppermint onto the cloves as well. Sprinkle the oils often.
You can create a spray with ½ a cup of water, 5 drops of cypress essential oil, and 10 drops of peppermint essential oil. Spray in areas that is prone to cockroaches like under the sink and cupboards. Cotton balls with a drop of either citronella, lemongrass, or peppermint essential oils placed in cockroach-infested areas also work great.
Pet Pests
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Fleas and ticks are a problem for most pet owners. Tick and flea medications are filled with so many toxic compounds. I have a hard time telling my son not to play with his puppy because I've just applied flea/tick medication. Here are some essential oil-based repellents for dogs or cats.
Lavender Flea Repellent
Place 20 drops of lavender essential oil mixed with distilled water into a 2-oz spray bottle. Spray on fur, and make sure to keep it away from sensitive areas like eyes, mouth, and private areas. If your pet does not like the spray, spray some on your hands and then pet your animal.
Tick Repellent for Dogs
Place 10 drops of palo santo essential oil mixed with 50 drops of a carrier oil (fractionated coconut oil works) into a 1-oz bottle. Rub the mixture into the fur of your dog. Apply every few days during high tick seasons. If a tick gets attached, palo santo essential oil also aids in removal.The Trouble With Mice
Mice can cause much damage to your home and food reserves. Poison can be dangerous around your family. Even if it is placed in out-of-reach places, mice will move it to their nests. This happened once when I was young. It ended up in my shoes.
For Mice ... A Rescue Cat
Cats are natural mice hunters. We owned a cat who was a pro at getting rid of them. Shelters are full of adult cats who most likely came off of the streets. They are the best mice catchers! They've had to hunt to stay alive, and they will use that skill to keep any house free of mice.
Another Mice Option — Essential Oils
Cotton balls with a drop of either peppermint, spearmint, and/or eucalyptus essential oil act as a great mice deterrent. Place them in areas where you know the mouse has been hiding or munching. They can also be placed in closets, drawers, and near openings to the outside.
Ant and Spider Repellent
Springtime in our house is ant time. It absolutely stresses me out! Luckily, I have my essential oils to help. I make a mixture of vinegar, lavender essential oil, and peppermint essential oil. I spray door and window jambs to keep them out.
- ½ cup of vinegar
- ½ cup of filtered water
- 3 drops of lavender essential oil
- 3 drops of peppermint essential oil
Put everything in a spray bottle and label. A glass spray bottle is best because essential oils can deteriorate plastic over time.
Keep Flies Away
Flies dislike cloves, and I love cloves. An excellent way to keep your home free of flies and great-smelling is to have a bowl of cloves near where flies are prominent. You can sprinkle essential oil like eucalyptus, lavender, or peppermint onto the cloves as well. Sprinkle the oils often.
Repel Cockroaches
You can create a spray with ½ a cup of water, 5 drops of cypress essential oil, and 10 drops of peppermint essential oil. Spray in areas that is prone to cockroaches like under the sink and cupboards. Cotton balls with a drop of either citronella, lemongrass, or peppermint essential oils placed in cockroach-infested areas also work great.
