8. Cinnamon – Keep Ants and Silverfish Out

Cinnamon’s warm, spicy aroma is unpleasant to many pests like ants and silverfish. It’s also antifungal—perfect for damp spots.

How to use:

• Sprinkle ground cinnamon along baseboards and in cabinets.

• Mix cinnamon oil with water and spray around pest-prone areas.

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9. Cloves – A Natural Moth and Fly Repellent

Whole cloves contain eugenol, which repels flying insects like moths and houseflies.

How to use:

• Insert cloves into citrus peels and leave them out as natural insect fresheners.

• Place sachets of whole cloves in closets or drawers.

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• Simmer cloves in water for a fly-repelling air freshener.

10. Used Coffee Grounds – Slug and Ant Blocker

Used coffee grounds are acidic and gritty—perfect for deterring slugs and ants.

How to use:

• Scatter grounds around your garden or potted plants.

• Leave a small dish of grounds near indoor ant trails.

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Eco bonus: Coffee grounds improve compost and soil quality too!

Bonus: Lemon Juice – Citrus-Fresh Pest Control

Lemon juice cuts grease and leaves a scent that fleas, ants, and roaches dislike.

How to use:

• Mix lemon juice with water to clean floors and countertops.

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• Spray around cracks, baseboards, and window edges.

Go Green and Pest-Free

Natural pest repellents offer a gentle, chemical-free way to protect your home and garden. While you may need to reapply them more frequently than commercial sprays, the benefits to your health, pets, and the planet make it worth the effort.

Try incorporating a few of these remedies into your routine—and enjoy a cleaner, safer way to keep unwanted visitors out.