[Note: These "recipes" are not for human consumption]

These natural recipes are a sure way to say Aloha to those unwanted house guests. After all the rain we had in the spring many more roaches, ants, mosquitoes, and other insects are out and about. No need to let them ruin your day. I have used these concoctions to rid my home of the creepy crawly buggahs. I even mix up an extra batch for gifts.

Have you ever wondered why the cockroaches you spray with that metal aerosol can of bug spray stop dead in their tracks and go into a seizure? They almost immediately start freaking out and roll over on their back. I thought at first it might be that they found the smell of the spray disgusting. My common sense said that roaches adore smelly odors. I did some research and discovered one of the reasons the roach reacts so violently to the spray is that it attacks their nervous system. It wreaks havoc with their whole body. Later I found out that these same poisonous bug repellants can have the same effect on humans and animals. We are all in harms way from the chemicals used in these sprays. Whether it is in your home, workplace, in public buildings, or in airplanes, the danger is still present. Here are some old recipes of mine that work very well to stop those buggahs without the degree of danger associated with chemicals.

Have you read the label on a can of insect spray? It scared me to read the long list of medical side effects that could and would happen by coming in contact with the spray. If you have trouble sleeping at night, pick up a can of any brand of insect killer and read the label. This could put you back to sleep, after you bury your head in the pillow. Or it could also scare you enough to keep you up all night.

These recipes are intended for use as insect repellant ONLY and not to be ingested by humans or animals. While these ingredients are safe to use in the home I would not recommend you eat them or eat a bar of soap either. So please, use caution, and if you feel it is not safe in your home---then do not try this in your home.

Mix all 4 ingredients in a bowl. Mix gently so you do not stir up dust from the borax. Put in airtight container or zip lock bags.

IMPORTANT: Mark the container with a safety label. I am serious about the label. No skimping here please. Safety first. Write on the label: Not to be eaten, ingested, use with caution. Do not sprinkle in the wind. This is a safe recipe if you use it correctly.

Borax can irritate some people's lungs like dust in the air. Borax is used in laundry detergents. Most detergent dust is not too good to breathe for a long period of time. Check the link to the safety fact sheet in this column. I am cautious about all the products I use in my home. I have a dog and I have asthma. I do not put this where Buddy walks. If he accidentally gets into it, I wash off his paws. I use a plastic disposable spoon to sprinkle it in those dark places that the roaches hang out. I do it carefully so as not to make too much dust. You can cover your face with a paper dust mask if you desire.

Sprinkle this mixture under your bathroom and kitchen sinks, way in the back. Sprinkle in the cracks and behind appliances in your home. Don't forget the garage and the dry areas outside your home. It will attract roaches at first but after they ingest it they will dry up and die. They will also take some back to their nests and their families will be poisoned as well. The borax causes the roaches to dry out internally.

Borax can be purchased at Safeway stores. It is in the detergent department and costs around $5.

Borax safety fact sheet

These oils can be purchased on line at www.lorannoils.com.

They can be purchased locally at the drug store or the health food store. For external only. You can use on clothing or spray on your skin. I rub some in my hands and put a small amount on my doggies hairy legs before we walk in the grass. He hates the stink but the critters hate it more.

More ideas to repel mosquitoes:

• If you get a mosquito on your room, leave an open bottle of citronella out and the mosquitoes will be driven out of the room.
• Eat more garlic to repel mosquitoes. If you wear a garlic lei it will surely keep the mosquitoes away as well as your friends.
• Rub crushed parsley or apple cider vinegar on your skin. This works for some folks. Pretty soon you will smell like a salad.

Citronella safety fact sheet

Salt Recipe for Fleas

Fleas have a mouth like a sharp blade. They have an appetite for fresh blood. In my opinion they cause more misery than any other insect pest. They can lay up to 25 eggs a day. Ten adults can ruin your carpet in a month.

Sprinkle your carpet with 5 lbs. of non-iodized salt per 100 square feet. Five pounds of salt covers a 10X10 foot room. Leave the salt on the carpet 24 hours. Test an area that is hidden before doing the whole floor. This has worked well on my carpet but I cannot be certain that all carpets are created equal.

Other Recipes for Fleas

Fleas don't like eucalyptus, citronella, pennyroyal, or cedar. Spread fresh eucalyptus branches and leaves around your house for a few days to discourage fleas from taking residence.

You can use diatomaceous earth to kill fleas. It is a mineral dust that can be purchased at plant nurseries or health food stores. I found a product to directly put on your pet at the health food store. "FLEA AWAY" A large plastic bottle cost around $8. Diatomaceous earth shreds the waxy coating of the flea's body. It causes dehydration and death for the flea. It is a powdery dust and I highly recommend you cover your mouth and nose when using this product. If you apply to your pet, do it outdoors. Do not use on or near your pets face... I sprinkle some powder into my hand and gently apply to my doggie's fur. I put it in places he cannot reach with his mouth. I put it on his back, underbelly, and tail. The fleas dry to a crisp in a few hours. The powder dries out the animals coat so use a small amount.

You can also sprinkle the powder on your carpet and leave for 24 hours before vacuuming. Don't go barefoot as your feet will get very dry. Use caution when vacuuming it up as the dust moves around. Again cover your face and remove the pets and people from the room. Open some windows to be safer from the dust. Any kind of dust can irritate your lungs, even baby powder. You can also sprinkle diatomaceous earth on pet bedding and cushions. Vacuum it up with the dried out fleas.

Safety information for diatomaceous earth

Ants, Ants, and More Ants

So you think ants are a nuisance, think again. Ants eat termites. Ants eat dead insects and all kinds of garbage. They are the true consumers of this earth. We need ants but not crawling on the kitchen counter or in the dog or cat food bowl.

Try to find where the ants are entering your home. The intent of these products is to repel ants. Do not destroy the ant colonies home unless it's inside your home or for any other reason you deem necessary.

The cheapest way to repel ants is to mix 2 tablespoons of liquid detergent in a 32 oz. spray bottle of water. Spray it everywhere you see the little critters. They hate to get soap in their mouths.

Take a mixture of citrus peels like oranges, lemons, limes, or grapefruit. Any combination of two of these works. Put the peels in the blender with enough water to mix easily. The oils from the peel are distasteful to ants. Scoop out the shredded peels and strain the citrus water into a spray bottle. Spray the citrus water on the ground or in areas where the color from the peels is not going to be a bother. The fragrance is pleasant and the ants will be running for their ant homes.

More Non-Toxic ant deterrents:

These products can be sprinkled anywhere you want to create a barrier that will keep the ants from crossing. I put some of the following items in window sills and behind appliances on my kitchen counters.

• Black Pepper
• Cayenne Pepper
• Citrus Oil (lemon, orange, grapefruit, found at health food store)
• Turmeric
• Powdered Charcoal (found at drug stores, messy to use)
• A line of Chalk .

Smear petroleum jelly in cracks and crevices. The ants cannot cross that barrier. They get stuck.

A friend of mine spreads coffee grounds outside her windows and doors. Try some crushed dried mint where the ants walk. Rub areas of the baseboards with camphor or oil of cloves.

There are probably dozen ways that I haven't listed to repel insects. Please share any you may have on the comment section of this column. Then others can see them and share the information. I am always curious to hear how these recipes turned out for you and any other comments. Thanks for reading this column. Good luck using these recipes.

Comments

xoceandovex — Friday, October 19, 2007

excellent recipe thanks !

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