MOVE OUT MICE
Drench a cotton ball with several drops of peppermint, eucalyptus or spearmint essential oil. Place them wherever you suspect mice are entering your home, plus behind the fridge, dishwasher, washing machine and dryer. You can also put them in the roof space or garage. This may deter mice, but you will need to take further measures if the infestation is more serious.
BYE-BYE BUGS AND MOTHS
In a spray bottle, make a 50:50 white vinegar and water solution. Add about 15 drops of eucalyptus, 5 drops of peppermint and 10 drops of cedarwood essential oil. Mix well. Use the solution to spray and wipe the surfaces of your pantry.
ANTS, BEGONE!
Put undiluted white vinegar in a spray bottle and squirt it wherever ants commonly appear. Also, try wiping peppermint essential oil or sprinkling ground black or cayenne pepper in the path of ants.
COMBAT COCKROACHES
Place a few drops of citronella essential oil on cotton balls. You can also try adding peppermint essential oil to the same or separate cotton balls. Position the cotton balls in trouble areas, such as inside cupboards, under the sink or behind the fridge. Also, adjust your cleaning routine to include a DIY spray solution. To make: mix 120ml of water with 5 drops of cypress essential oil and 10 drops of peppermint essential oil in a spray bottle. Spray and wipe the solution on surfaces wherever cockroaches appear.
SAY ‘BUG OFF’ WITH OILS
Here are more essential oils you can try using to repel creepy- crawlies from your kitchen: citronella, clove, lemongrass, lemon eucalyptus, rosemary,
tea tree, cedar, catnip, lavender, basil, rose geranium, cinnamon, thyme, lemon, orange and pine.
