How to tackle pests with easy home remedies

During the summer months, open windows allow in all sorts of uninvited visitors and pets can bring in fleas. Why not avoid commercial products containing natural pesticides and go back to the home remedies your great-grandmother would have used.

Alienate Ants
Make sure all crumbs are swept up and sticky patches dealt with. Then wipe surfaces with distilled white vinegar and lemon juice. Other natural deterrents include sliced fresh garlic, cinnamon, cloves and cucumber peel.

Fend off fleas
Make a solution of one cup of water, two tablespoons of distilled white vinegar and six drops of cedar oil in a water spray. Use it to spray pet bedding regularly and vacuum thoroughly as often as you can - including in dark corners and under furniture.

Forget the flies
Why not make your own fly papers?

Step 1: Cut four strips of brown paper, making a small hole in one end of each one.

Step 2: Thread string through each hole and tie into a loop to hang the string with.

Step 3: Mix one cup of water with one cup of sugar and two tablespoons of honey and heat until dissolved.

Step 4: Dip each strip into the solution then peg up to dry over a bowl to catch any drips.

Once dry, position around the house.

Win against wasps
Try the eco-friendly Ceramic Wasp Catcher, from Strawberry Fool. Put sugar water, jam or honey inside and it will act as a wasp magnet. Then pop in the cork and release the wasps away from your house.

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