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Repel Unwanted Pests

Home Remedies to Get Rid of Pests in Your House

To keep ants and other pests away from food, various home remedies can be used to repel them.
To keep ants and other pests away from food, various home remedies can be used to repel them. Photo: Getty Images
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October 10, 2025, 8:20 am | Read time: 2 minutes

Various home remedies, such as baking soda, are not only suitable for cooking or baking. They can also be used to repel unwanted pests.

In the garden, ants, flies, and spiders are often unwelcome guests for many. Once these small creatures enter the house, it is usually not easy to get rid of them. People often resort to chemical solutions, which are far from environmentally friendly. There are also various home remedies that can gently repel ants, spiders, and other pests—and even prevent them from crawling into the house. Additionally, it’s important to note that spiders, in particular, are very useful creatures and are not considered pests.

Ants

With the right scents, you can easily repel ants or even prevent them from entering your home. For example, the insects do not like the smell of cloves, lemon peel, or mint oil. Simply distribute the appropriate home remedy at the entry point of the pests.

Pantry Moths

Another home remedy that can be used to eliminate pests like pantry moths is baking soda. To do this, mix four parts baking soda with one part flour. Instead of laying their eggs in cereal and other foods, the moths will lay them in the flour trap. The baking soda prevents the larvae from hatching.

Spiders

As fly and mosquito catchers, spiders are true helpers. However, many see them as pests in the corner of the room—but fortunately, they can be gently repelled with a simple home remedy. To scare the animals away, you can mix vinegar with water and distribute it at their retreat. Be careful not to spray too much liquid at once, as it can cause stains.

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Silverfish

Silverfish are not welcome guests. These pests can also be repelled with the right scents. Simply add some lemon juice or lavender to the cleaning water and clean the floor as usual.

By the way: Silverfish particularly like places that are damp and warm. If you want to prevent these pests, you should, among other things, ensure a dry indoor climate.

Flies

Scents also help with pesky flies. For instance, you can place basil on the windowsill. Vinegar is another home remedy that can help against these pests. To do this, mix vinegar essence with water and place the vinegar water on the windowsill.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of MYHOMEBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@myhomebook.de.

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