Uninvited Guests: How To Keep Your Home Bug-Free Naturally
From fruit flies in the kitchen to moths in the wardrobe, these simple, chemical-free tricks will help keep pests at bay.
Open windows, bowls of ripening fruit and long, balmy (or indeed, sweltering) evenings are just some of the joys of summer. Alas, they're also an open invitation to every winged and crawling creature for miles around. Before reaching for the chemical sprays, though, it is worth remembering that there are plenty of gentler, natural ways to discourage unwanted visitors – and many of them can even make your home smell pretty nice, too.
For Fruit Flies: Create A Vinegar Trap
Those tiny flies seem to appear overnight once peaches and bananas are on the kitchen counter.
Try this: Fill a small bowl with apple cider vinegar and add a drop of washing-up liquid. The scent attracts the flies, while the soap breaks the surface tension.
Prevention Keep fruit in the fridge during hot weather and empty food waste regularly.
Try this: Fill a small bowl with apple cider vinegar and add a drop of washing-up liquid. The scent attracts the flies, while the soap breaks the surface tension.
Prevention Keep fruit in the fridge during hot weather and empty food waste regularly.
For Moths: Use Lavender And Cedar
Moths are the bane of wool wearers lives. The good news? They intensely dislike strong natural scents.
Try this: Tuck lavender sachets into drawers and hang cedar balls among knitwear.
Prevention Wash woollens before storing and vacuum wardrobes regularly.
Try this: Tuck lavender sachets into drawers and hang cedar balls among knitwear.
Prevention Wash woollens before storing and vacuum wardrobes regularly.
For Ants: Block Their Scent Trails
Ah ants: great when scurrying around outside; less so when making incursions into your home. As ever, have the right intel is paramount, and when it comes to ants, it’s that they follow invisible pheromone trails.
Try this: Wipe surfaces with a solution of white vinegar and water and sprinkle cinnamon around entry points.
Prevention Store sugary foods in sealed containers.
Try this: Wipe surfaces with a solution of white vinegar and water and sprinkle cinnamon around entry points.
Prevention Store sugary foods in sealed containers.
For Spiders: Peppermint Oil
Spiders – are you camp love or loathe? If the latter, no fear: simply know that our eight-legged crawly friends generally prefer to avoid strong minty scents.
Try this: Add a few drops of peppermint essential oil to water in a spray bottle and mist windowsills and corners.
Prevention Keep clutter to a minimum and regularly remove webs.
Try this: Add a few drops of peppermint essential oil to water in a spray bottle and mist windowsills and corners.
Prevention Keep clutter to a minimum and regularly remove webs.
For Mosquitoes: Citronella And Herbs
Mosquitoes, terrorisers of bare ankles, are the bane of summer evenings spent outside. Fortunately, citronella, basil and rosemary can help deter biting insects.
Try this: Place pots of herbs beside doors and windows or burn a citronella candle outdoors.
Try this: Place pots of herbs beside doors and windows or burn a citronella candle outdoors.
For Silverfish: Reduce Damp
These tiny, silvery insects thrive in humid spaces – as many will know from their slightly freaky sudden appearance in bathrooms.
Try this: Improve ventilation and use moisture absorbers in bathrooms and cupboards.
Try this: Improve ventilation and use moisture absorbers in bathrooms and cupboards.
FAQs
Do natural remedies really work?
They can be surprisingly effective, particularly as preventative measures and for minor infestations.
What scent do most insects dislike?
Peppermint, lavender, citronella, eucalyptus and cedar are among the most effective natural deterrents.
How do I stop fruit flies coming back?
Remove overripe fruit, clean drains and empty food bins frequently.
Will essential oils harm pets?
Some oils can be toxic to cats and dogs, so always check before using them around pets.
When should I call a professional?
If you suspect a large infestation—particularly of moths, ants or bed bugs—professional treatment is usually the best course.
By
Nancy Alsop
·
Published August 2026
Nancy is a magpie for the best in design and culture.
