Tips

The ‘easy tricks’ to banish pesky bugs from your home and reclaim your space

Matthew Hart
Apr 24, 2024
Mila's wisdom earned praise from many who have grown tired of insects invading their homes. Source: Getty Images.

In the seemingly never-ending battle against household pests, Melbourne mum Chantel Mila has emerged as a beacon of hope for those seeking effective solutions.

With her expert knowledge and innovative techniques, she’s helping homeowners reclaim their spaces from the clutches of pesky insects and spiders.

In a recent Instagram post, Mila generously shared five easy tricks to repel insects from the home, drawing praise and gratitude from followers eager to try her methods.

Her tips are not only practical but also environmentally friendly, utilising everyday items to combat common household pests.

Mila’s 5 “easy tricks” to help repel insects from your home include:

1. Place peppermint oil on cotton balls and rub around your windows to repel crawling insects and ants.
2. Mosquitos hate the smell of coffee, so boil leftover coffee and clove on your stovetop to make your home smell amazing and repel mozzies.
3. And you can add leftover coffee grinds to your indoor and outdoor plants to repel insects. This fertilises the plants too!
4. Pour boiling water down your drains to keep fruit flies + their eggs away.
5. And spiders hate citrus, so wipe down walls and floor with orange oil.

“As always, use discretion before using essential oils around pets and small children and always patch test as every home furnishing is different,” Mila warned.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Chantel Mila Ibbotson (@mama_mila_au)

Mila’s wisdom earned praise from many who have grown tired of insects invading their homes.

“Thank you so very much for these great hacks! We surely need them!” one person wrote.

“Love it.”

“So good! You always have the best hacks,” commented another.

“Great tips!”

“Omg this post is perfect timing!! I’ve literally just moved from Sydney to a place in regional in Qld.”

In addition to Mila’s clever methods, there are several other ways to get rid of unwanted ants and other bugs that don’t involve reaching for any chemical-laden sprays or repellants.

1. Draw with chalk

It sounds crazy, but the chalk your grandchildren love so much could actually be an effective way to repel ants. Just as we don’t like walking through mud or dirt if we don’t have to, ants don’t like passing across chalk. As many people on social media have pointed out, the insects can’t stand stepping onto it. The smell of the chalk disrupts the ants’ ability to pick up scents and they become confused.

2. Serve up some herbs and spices

Herbs and spices can transform a meal from average to delicious, but that’s not their only super power. Black pepper, mint, cinnamon and garlic powder all produce smells that ants can’t stand.

All you have to do is leave the herbs in small bowls or sachets around the house or, alternatively, you can dip cotton balls in oil versions of the spices. Even better, this doesn’t just work on ants, with a number of other critters – such as cockroaches and fleas – also turned off by the herbs’ scent.

3. Mix water with vinegar

Vinegar is an effective cleaning product, but did you know it’s also a deterrent for ants? Just like chalk and herbs, vinegar causes problems for ants’ scent trails.

Just mix together equal parts water and vinegar and wipe down the areas where ants have congregated. It may take several wipes, but in time you’ll notice the ants are no longer sticking around like they used to.

Mila’s ingenious household hacks, coupled with natural remedies such as chalk, herbs, and vinegar, offer a beacon of hope in the ongoing battle against pesky household pests, empowering homeowners to reclaim their spaces from bothersome insects.

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