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.
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?”
I’ve always loved the cozy smell of cinnamon, but who knew it could double as a pest repellent? The secret lies in its potent essential oils, like cinnamaldehyde, which bugs find overwhelming. A study from the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that cinnamaldehyde disrupts the sensory systems of insects, making it tough for them to navigate. To make the most of it, I sprinkle a thin line of ground cinnamon along windowsills or near entry points—think doorways or cracks. It’s super affordable, with a small jar costing about $2-$3, and a little goes a long way. Just be sure to refresh it every couple of weeks, as the scent fades. If you’re dealing with a serious ant problem, mix cinnamon with a bit of sugar water to lure them away before they hit your kitchen.
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.
I’m a coffee drinker, so I always have used grounds on hand, and tossing them in the garden feels like giving my plants a little extra love. The caffeine and diterpenes in coffee grounds are what bugs hate—research from the University of Hawaii showed caffeine can disrupt insect behavior and even act as a mild toxin to slugs. Scatter them around outdoor plants or near indoor entry points, but don’t go overboard; too much can mess with soil pH. A pro tip? Dry the grounds first to avoid mold. It’s basically free pest control since you’re repurposing something you’d toss anyway. For indoor use, I put a small dish of grounds near problem areas—it’s less messy than sprinkling.
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.
Chili peppers are my go-to when I want to keep pests out of my garden without harming the good bugs. Capsaicin works by irritating the sensory systems of insects, according to a study in Pest Management Science, which makes them steer clear. I make a simple spray by steeping dried chili flakes in water for a day, then straining and spritzing it around plants. It costs maybe a dollar for enough flakes to make a batch. Be careful not to get it on your skin or near pollinators like bees—use it sparingly around the edges of your garden. I learned the hard way to wear gloves when handling it; trust me, you don’t want chili in your eyes!
Citrus Peels
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.”
I started saving my orange peels after noticing ants marching toward my kitchen counter last summer. D-limonine, found in citrus rinds, disrupts ant nervous systems, per research from the University of California. Rubbing peels on problem areas is free if you’re already eating oranges or lemons, and it smells way better than chemical sprays. I also dry peels and grind them into a powder to sprinkle in hard-to-reach spots. One thing to watch: replace fresh peels every few days to avoid mold. For a quick fix, I’ve even boiled peels in water to make a spray—works like a charm and costs next to nothing.
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.”
Garlic’s sulfur compounds, like allicin, are what make pests run the other way—studies from the Journal of Vector Ecology confirm it messes with mosquito navigation. I crush a clove or two and place them near my patio door during summer; it’s like an invisible shield. A bulb of garlic costs less than a buck, and one clove can cover a small area. For a longer-lasting solution, I’ve steeped garlic in water to make a spray, but fair warning: it’s not the most pleasant smell for humans either. Use it in outdoor areas or less-trafficked spots to keep the vibe pleasant indoors.
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.”
I started slipping bay leaves into my pantry after finding moths in my flour—gross! The eugenol in bay leaves is the key, as it’s toxic to many pantry pests, per research from the Journal of Stored Products Research. A pack of dried bay leaves costs about $3 and lasts forever. I tuck one or two into containers of grains or near pantry shelves, and it’s kept moths at bay for months. Pro tip: tape a leaf under shelves for extra protection without cluttering your storage. It’s a small effort for big peace of mind, especially if you’ve dealt with pantry infestations before.
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.”
Vinegar’s acetic acid is a nightmare for pests—it disrupts their scent trails and can even kill fruit flies on contact, according to entomology studies from Cornell University. I keep a spray bottle of the 50-50 vinegar-water mix under my sink; it’s maybe $1 for a bottle of white vinegar. I use it to wipe down counters and spritz around fruit bowls to keep flies away. For traps, I’ve found adding a drop of dish soap to the mix makes it even deadlier for fruit flies—they sink faster. Just don’t overdo the spraying indoors; the smell can linger a bit!
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.”
I was skeptical about peppermint oil until I tried it and saw spiders vanish from my basement corners. Menthol, the active compound, overwhelms spider senses, per a study in the Journal of Economic Entomology. A small bottle of peppermint oil costs around $5-$7, and you only need a few drops per spray bottle of water. I spritz it along baseboards and window frames every month or so. It smells amazing, but go easy—too much can be overpowering. If you’ve got pets, check with a vet first, as it can be strong for them. This trick has saved me from creepy crawlies and made my home smell like a spa.
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.
Cayenne’s capsaicin is like a fiery force field for your garden—I’ve seen rabbits hop away after one sniff. Research from the University of Vermont shows it repels mammals by irritating their mucous membranes. A small jar runs about $2, and sprinkling it around plants or mixing it into a water spray keeps pests at bay. I’ve used it to protect my veggie patch, but I learned to reapply after rain since it washes away. Be cautious around pets or kids—it’s not fun if they touch it and rub their eyes. This is my favorite low-cost way to keep my garden safe without harming the ecosystem.
