(SurvivalDaily.com) – Every animal and insect has its place in our world’s ecosystem. However, that place doesn’t have to be your home. Mice, spiders, mosquitoes and other annoying pests can wreak havoc on your life. Luckily, there are a few ways to give them the boot, all of which are natural.
Catnip
Catnip, specifically the essential oil nepetalactone, acts as an irritant to mice, mosquitoes and ants. Not to mention the fact that cats love this plant, so even if you don’t have a cat, you’re going to have some in your yard. Having cats around can also help keep the population of mice on your property low and deter further infestation.
Lavender
Not only does lavender provide us with a relief from stress, calming our nerves, but it repels mosquitoes, house flies, fleas and moths. The lovely lavender scent can protect your property from these pests. Lavender oil can be applied to your wrists and neck to act as an insect repellent as well. All of this while bringing a beautiful purple to your yard.
Lemon Thyme
Like the rest of the plants on this list, lemon thyme works well to repel mosquitoes. With its ability to grow even in some of the harshest environments, lemon thyme can be found just about anywhere. Simply take the leaves and crush them, but don’t apply them directly to your skin at first. You should test it out on a small patch of skin to make sure there are no negative reactions between the plant and your skin.
Marigold
This beautiful flower may seem harmless at first, but to pests, especially mosquitoes and flies, it’s not. It serves as a great repellent due to the fact marigolds contain pyrethrum, a natural compound found in insecticides and repellents. Unfortunately, while harmless to humans, it’s actually deadly to fish and amphibious life, so never let it go down the drain or into waterways.
Rosemary
A common herb in cooking, rosemary is also a great repellent against flies and mosquitoes. You can create your own bug spray by drying some rosemary leaves out, putting them in boiling water and mixing them with cool water. To store this spray, just place it in the fridge and pour it into bottles when needed. Another perk of having fresh rosemary around your home is that it attracts butterflies.
There’s no question that pests can annoy you; that’s why they’re called pests. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t find a humane way to handle them. Now, sometimes you’re left with no choice but to exterminate them, but why not try something else first?
There are many different plants and resources we can try before resorting to violence. For example, peppermint is a great way to deter mice and bugs. Remember, it’s their world too, and we need to learn to share — just maybe not inside our homes or gardens.
Do you know of any other natural pest repellants? Would you ever consider using those listed above? Reply to your email and share your thoughts, we would love to hear from you!
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