Insects like mosquitoes, wasps, bees and flies easily invite themselves into our homes, especially when they have food within reach. Open windows, lunches or dinners in the garden or on the patio… When warmer weather arrives, these little creatures inevitably make their presence known. Annoying and disturbing, these insects are nevertheless important for the balance of the ecosystem. Here is an eco-friendly tip to keep them away and get rid of them without killing them.
Many people are worried by the sight of a bee buzzing around the dinner table or a mosquito that becomes the scourge of a summer evening and ruins our sleepless night. Not to mention the spiders that evoke disgust, even fear, in the bedroom, the flies that swarm over our food in search of nourishment, or the parade of ants that head straight for the breakfast jam. Keeping them away from the house is therefore essential to regaining peace and quiet on sunny days.
Preserving the natural balance prevents many environmentalists from using insecticides, which are ultimately harmful to health and the environment . However, letting pests take over the garden is out of the question. Therefore, natural insecticides are still the best option to protect against wasp and mosquito bites that cause redness and itching, and to keep away all flying insects. For this purpose, lemons (yellow or green) and cloves will be your best allies to chase away unwanted insects.
Why these ingredients?
– Clove comes from the clove tree . Thanks to its content of eugenol, an aromatic compound belonging to the phenylpropene family, cloves have a natural repellent effect. A study has shown that using clove oil can repel various mosquito species.
– Lemon is a citrus fruit with a strong lemony scent that repels insects while giving your home a pleasant scent. A study has shown that lemon, along with lemon eucalyptus essential oil, has been shown to be effective as a natural insect repellent against all types of insects.
How to proceed?
The two ingredients together make a perfect insecticide against all unwanted insects. To make it you will need:
- 2 yellow or green lemons
- 24 cloves
Cut the lemons in half lengthwise or widthwise. Then insert 6 wedges into each lemon half. Finally, place them on a plate and place them in strategic places, such as by the nightstand in the bedroom, in the middle of the picnic table, or by the window.
The result is simply incredible and you won’t see any of these insects sneaking around the house.
Simple steps to take every day to keep insects away
Certain measures are essential to combat the insects that plague us during the day. Therefore, simple measures should be taken daily:
- Don’t leave leftovers on the table or in the kitchen. Remember to close the garbage can properly and take it out regularly;
- Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink, it only attracts unwanted insects;
- Store foods that may attract insects in airtight containers or in the refrigerator;
- Clean kitchen cabinets and cupboards with white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar, which is also an excellent repellent, paying special attention to every nook and cranny to ensure that no traces of food are left behind;
- Spray your home with a repellent spray that contains drops of essential oil such as peppermint, lavender, lemon, eucalyptus, or cinnamon. Citronella has also been shown to be effective, and you can also use an electric diffuser for this purpose.
- Do a thorough cleaning of the entire house , especially the kitchen, to keep away insects that love crumbs and food scraps;
- Vacuum after you have finished eating to remove any traces of crumbs.
- You can also use a mosquito lamp to enjoy peaceful evenings on your terrace.
