9 Kitchen Staples That Repel Common Pests

One whole garlic head and one head of garlic cut in half on wooden surface — Photo:
Phamai Techaphan / Getty Images

No home, no matter how much cleaning you do inside or out, is immune to common pests like ants, spiders, or moths. But before you call in a professional pest control company, try raiding your kitchen pantry for natural ways to rid your home of pests. You might be surprised to learn that you have everything you need right at your disposal without having to purchase commercial chemical products to do the job. Below, we spoke with cleaning experts to learn about some of the natural methods they use to deter pests from coming inside.

Ryan Knoll, owner of Tidy Casa
Rocky Vuong, founder of Calibre Cleaning Limited
Sophie Officer, co-owner of eco-friendly cleaning service, Dustpan & Brush

01 of 09

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a fairly strong-smelling spice, even for us humans. But for pests? It repels them due to that scent we all know and love. Sprinkle cinnamon in areas where pests have been an issue—the spice will work well to deter everything from ants and mosquitos to spiders and slugs. Plus as a bonus—your home will likely smell amazing. "We once had a client practically baking cookies to get rid of ants (thanks to the cinnamon trick)," says Ryan Knoll, owner of Tidy Casa. "Worked like a charm, and the place smelled like a holiday. Who knew pest control could be so ... aromatic?"

02 of 09

Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds are really quite versatile to have around. They can deodorize your fridge, scrub your pots and pans effectively, and repel pests naturally from your home, specifically slugs and ants. "Spread them around the garden to send ants and slugs packing," says Knoll. "It's like telling pests you're closed for business, with a hint of espresso." If your ant problem is inside your home, spread some coffee grounds on the affected area. Ants generally don't like the feeling of coffee grounds, and it also has the effect of causing them to lose their smell trail, so they can't make it back home.

03 of 09

Chili Pepper

Capsaicin, the main compound in chili peppers that makes them spicy, is a well-known natural pest repellent. Most insects and mites avoid foods like chili peppers due to their strong odor and taste—in some cases, capsaicin can also be toxic to beneficial insects and bees, so take care where you spread or spray chili peppers.

04 of 09

Citrus Peels

Orange peels — Rosemary Calvert / Getty Images

Orange, lemon, and lime peels contain a compound called D-limonine, which is fatal for ants, according to Rocky Vuong, founder of Calibre Cleaning Limited. "It can kill them on contact, so the trail does not dare come near it," Vuong says. "Rub the citrus peel on the window rails, furniture, and other areas and see ants vanish in some time."

05 of 09

Garlic

Garlic is a wonderfully potent aromatic for your food, and it's those same properties that make your dinner come alive that pests like ants, mosquitoes, and garden bugs steer clear of. "Simply crush a few cloves and scatter them in areas where mosquitoes and ants tend to gather," says Sophie Officer, co-owner of eco-friendly cleaning service Dustpan & Brush. "Mosquitos and ants heavily rely on carbon dioxide, pheromones, and general food scents to reach their target (you and your food!). The strong odor of garlic acts as a potent deterrent, keeping these pests at bay without resorting to harsh chemicals."

06 of 09

Bay Leaves

Bay leaves are great to have on hand, not just to flavor sauces and soups but to repel pests like moths, flies, roaches, and mice. The bitter smell of this herb helps ward off these pests, and either dried or fresh leaves work just fine. "Bay leaves are highly efficient when it comes to protecting dry foods from moths," says Vuong. "Just tuck a few leaves into rice, flour, and other dry items and see the magic happen."

07 of 09

Vinegar

Vinegar has myriad household uses, from deodorizing fridges to sanitizing countertops. And, it can also help eliminate certain pests like ants, spiders, and fruit flies. "Whip up a half-and-half solution with water and vinegar. Put in a glass and cover with plastic wrap," says Knoll. "Poke a hole in the top and give those entry points a good spritz, and watch the parade reroute as they climb in and get trapped."

08 of 09

Peppermint

Peppermint oil is a very potent pest repellent that works on a number of different bugs, including spiders. "A few peppermint oil drops in water make a spray that spiders just can't stand," says Knoll. "It's like installing an invisible 'keep out' sign that also freshens up the place."

09 of 09

Cayenne

Cayenne, like chili peppers, is great for ridding your home of pests due to the presence of capsaicin. "Keep garden nibblers like rabbits at bay with a sprinkle of cayenne," says Knoll. "Ants aren't fans either. It's the spicy security guard your garden never knew it needed." Besides ants, cayenne works well against beetles, termites, and mice, as well as larger garden annoyances like deer and squirrels.

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