Have you ever considered using aromatherapy for a little pest problem?
As well as being fragrant, they're a great alternative to the harsh products and are designed to deter the pests rather than kill them. I was reminded of this when we spotted ants beginning to run across the kitchen floor, obviously mistaking it for the great outdoors. I didn't really fancy buying the ant poison and was grateful to remember that if you have a problem with ants or mice, then peppermint (Mentha piperita) is great.
So how do you use it?
It's nice and simple, as you literally just place a few drops on a cotton wool ball and tuck it in places that are out of the reach of children & pets & near where you think your little visitors are arriving. As I had no cotton wool balls to hand & I found the kitchen roll worked just as effectively. Having done it the night before I was pleased to see they got the message overnight, however they did try to revisit a few days later, so I had to re-do it so they got the idea. Since then, several days ago, we've had no further sightings. I also have a friend who has successfully used it for a little mice problem, so if you find yourself with one of these pests I'd recommend peppermint as your first go-to choice.
What if your problem isn't ants or mice? Valerie Worwood gives some guidance on other oils for pests:
Fleas - lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratrus), lavender (Lavendula angustifolia)
Flying insects in the house - it's best to deter them before they get there, so consider fragrancing your room naturally & adding essential oils to paper strips, cotton ribbon or kitchen towel strips and hang them by open windows. Flies and moths dislike lavender, while moths also dislike citrus oils
Mosquitoes - peppermint, lavender or lemongrass can all help to keep them away
Plant lice - spearmint (Mentha spicata) or peppermint
Snails - cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) and patchouli (Pogestemon cablin)
So, to keep little pests at bay without killing them, consider keeping a small collection of essential oils. Each can be used neat, as long as they are kept out of the reach of children and pets and once the pests realise there's a smell they don't like, they'll soon decide to move somewhere that suits everyone better. Enjoy the fragrance, summer and a pest-free zone this year!
