All-Natural Insect Repellents
Deter pests naturally with these hacks.
Eating outdoors is fun until the bugs get in the away. No need to cancel your alfresco dining—try these simple, natural hacks to keep the bugs at bay.
Materials
- fresh lemons
- fresh rosemary sprigs
- pennies
- cloves
- glass bowl
- tall glasses
- tealights
- apple cider vinegar
- dishsoap
- sheet of paper
Wasps
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Wasps can ruin outdoor entertaining in a heartbeat. Keep them away by slicing lemons in half and inserting whole cloves into the flesh. Sit the lemons in small bowls and place them on your table. Wasps (and bees) do not like the smell and will steer clear.
Flies
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
No one likes to see flies buzzing around their food. Keep them away by dropping a few pennies in a glass (or clear) bowl of water. No one really knows why it works, one theory is that it has something to do with the way the moving water refracts light. As an added bonus, the pennies keeps algae from growing in the water.
Mosquitoes
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Rosemary and lemon are natural mosqutios deterents. Place several springs of fresh rosemary and lemon slices in a tall glass. Fill with water and add a floating tealight candle. Once lit, the candle will warm up the infused water and release the rosemary and lemon's essential oils that will help repel mosquitoes.
Gnats
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Gnats buzzing around is enough to drive you insane. To get rid of them fast, pour apple cider vinegar and a couple of drops of dish soap into a glass. Roll a piece of paper into a funnel and place into the glass. The gnats will be attracted to the vinegar and the soap with make them sink.
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Enjoy a bug free meal outdoors with these natural pest detering hacks.