Natural Bug Deterents --------------------- ------- Roaches ------- Boric Acid: Mix 1/2 cup of Boric Acid powder with 4 teaspoons of sugar Application = Place a teaspoon of the mixture in different spots around the home (either on a surface directly or in a small shallow holder). Change out the mixture every 3 months, to keep potency high. Reasoning = Boric acid is safe around people and pets, but acts as a neuro-toxin upon any roach that touches it. The sugar acts as bait to get them to touch the powder. NOTE: Roaches are attracted to a damp environment, so you should seal the holes through walls where water/sewer pipes penetrate with tape or other flexible sealant (even small cracks are enough for a roach to fit through). Also dry any items (such as sponges, mops, washcloths, and toilet brushes) before storing them in closets and drawers, under sinks, or in any other darkened areas. --------- Fire Ants --------- Hot water: Make a large bucket of very hot water Application = Pour the entire bucket of very hot water over the fire ant bed. Reasoning = The hot water scalds the ants, and even those only incapacitated will drown. Cayenne Pepper: Obtain 1/2 cup of cayenne pepper Application = Sprinkle 1/2 cup over a dry fire ant bed. Reasoning = The fire ants take the pepper into the colony thinking it is food, but when they eat it, they poison themselves and die. ---------- Mosquitoes ---------- Citronella: Mix into a spray bottle 40 drops of Citronella oil with 1/4 cup water Application = Spray mixture around open doors or windows. Repeat on a regular basis. Reasoning = Citronella disguises the scent of people and animals, so the mosquito assumes that there is no blood available on the other side of the portal for drinking. ---------- Sugar Ants ---------- Double sided tape: Obtain a roll of sticky double sided tape Application = Lay the tape down along the edge of the countertops, or where sugar ants come in or travel. You can even put a few sugar crystals on the tape as bait. Change the tape if the stickyness starts to dissapear (due to catching dust), and at least daily whenever sugar ants are captured. Reasoning = The ants while searching for sugar will get stuck to the tape and be unable to leave a scent trail beyond this point. The rest of the colony will assume there is no food to be had in this direction, and stop comming for a while. ----- Flies ----- Baggie of clear liquid: Fill a clear plastic baggie with a clear liquid (such as water) Application = Hang the baggie in a lighted area from the ceiling or a window/door frame. Reasoning = If a fly sees a small dark object following its movement, it assumes it is being hunted and will escape the area. The clear liquid in the baggie acts as a globe for the fly to cast its own shadow, which will scare off the fly!