Have you ever wondered what hell feels like? Indian summers are definitely a close simulation! So, the pitter-patter of rain is a much welcomed relief. Unfortunately, it also brings with it some unwelcome guests. While we enjoy the feel of that cool breeze and the smell of rain hitting the earth, these unwelcome guests are making themselves comfortable in our homes.
Who are we talking about? BUGS! The monsoon season beckons all kinds of critters. From mosquitoes, ants, fleas, flies, beetles, moths, roaches and spiders. But, don’t worry, we’re going to help you debug your home of rainy-season insects, without the help of harsh smelly chemicals.
How to keep insects away from home naturally?
1) Bug-proof your home
Make your home less welcome to rainy season insects with these three steps:
Step 1: Get rid of stagnant water
Check your AC ducts, roofs and balcony corners for pools of water, and empty them out if necessary. Also avoid storing water in empty buckets in your bathroom or kitchen. These stagnant pools become breeding grounds for mosquitoes who bring home diseases like malaria, dengue and chikungunya.
Step 2: Declutter your surroundings
Cluttered spaces are good hiding spots for insects. So, indulge in a bit of monsoon cleaning and get rid of those stacks of newspapers and cardboard boxes piling up around the house.
Step 3: Patch up access points
If they can’t find a way in, you won’t have to help them find their way out! Before the monsoon showers set in, seal any open access points from where critters can crawl in. For example, plaster over cracks in vents, drains, chimneys or walls. If you want to enjoy the fresh rainy breeze without the company of mosquitoes, we also suggest you install mesh screens on your windows.
2) Keep it clean
Now that you’ve “bug-proofed” your home, you need to sustain those efforts by keeping it clean. Schedule time for thorough cleaning of drains, pipes, cabinets, floors and ceilings. Invest in eco-friendly or organic cleaning products to disinfect your floors, bathrooms, kitchens and fridges. If you have pets, don’t be lazy about cleaning up their poop or pee.
Also, take special care of old wooden furniture, drawers and cupboards. They tend to become damp in the monsoons and invite termites infestations. If they’ve already visited you can treat termites with neem or orange oil.
Pro tip: Invest in waste baskets with lids so that home/house insects don’t go hunting for food in your trash.
3) Use nature to fight nature
You don’t need to invest in harsh chemical products to keep the monsoon insects away. Here’s how you can keep insects away from home naturally:
Use home-made sprays enriched with essential oils such as eucalyptus, neem, lavender or peppermint to ward them off. Their strong smell keeps the insects away and helps your home smell fresh at the same time.
You can also sprinkle cinnamon powder at the corners of your home. Insects detest cinnamon and hence stay away from those spots.
Pro tip: Place 3-4 cloves in your cereal/ lentil dabas to keep bugs, mites and other home/house insects away. Clove is also a natural alternative to mothballs. You can place a few pieces among your woolen and silk clothes to protect them from silverfish.
4) De-bug with plants
You can also plant some natural insect-repellents to help with bug infestation this monsoon. Take your pick from Basil, Lavender, Aloevera, Tulsi, Lemongrass, Rosemary, Catnip and Citronella. They’re all extremely efficient at keeping those pesky rainy insects away.
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Now that you know all the tricks on how to keep insects away from home, you can sit back and truly enjoy the monsoon. We recommend picking your favourite book, brewing a hot cup of chai and sitting by the window. Doesn’t that sound idyllic? But, don’t forget to put your knowledge to practice! We wouldn’t want the roaches spoiling your idyllic monsoon chai-time.