Few things can disrupt the peace of a home more quickly than unwanted pests. You sit down to enjoy a quiet meal and a fly suddenly hovers over your plate. You turn on the kitchen light and a cockroach scurries across the counter before you can react. Or maybe you’re finally about to fall asleep when the high-pitched buzz of a mosquito fills the room, promising a restless night. These tiny intruders may be small, but they can make your home feel far less welcoming.
Many people rely on chemical sprays, traps, or professional services to fight back. While those methods can work, they’re not always the only option. In fact, a few common household items—things you may already have in your pantry or bathroom—can help create an environment that pests naturally avoid. With a simple mix of peppermint toothpaste, baking soda, and vinegar, you can freshen your space while making it less appealing to flies, mosquitoes, and roaches.
This isn’t a harsh pesticide and it won’t leave behind strong chemical odors. Instead, it’s a natural, affordable way to make your home less inviting to bugs while keeping your family safe from unnecessary chemicals.
The key to this method lies in scent and mild natural reactions. Peppermint has a sharp, cooling fragrance that many insects dislike, especially roaches and flies that rely on their sense of smell to find food. Baking soda and vinegar add a fizzing action and a fresh scent that lingers after the reaction settles. Together, these ingredients create a subtle but effective atmosphere that most pests would rather avoid.
Continue reading on the next page…