Home remedies are the key to solving the simplest problems. Bay leaves are one of the key products for getting rid of flies, ants, and even other insects. Likewise, the effectiveness of certain essential oils such as cineol and eugenol should also be highlighted, as their natural aromas are pleasant for humans but unpleasant for insects. Oils and bay leaves are natural repellents that have their origins in tradition and provide solutions to problems related to domestic hygiene and household cleaning. In addition, they are also super efficient for preserving food and giving your kitchen a pleasant smell. Read on to learn more about the alternatives to insecticides that can harm human health.
Flies are always in our homes: the common remedy
All across the year, flies come into our homes and make a irritation of themselves and seem hellbent on landing on our food, going around our heads and landing on the TV.
Nevertheless, one usual item from your home can work wonders in maintain them at bay – and you might won’t even need to leave the house to go find it. It turns out that bay leaves, a universal ingredient in a lot of homemade recipes, are a sure-fire natural manner to keep insects away.
The powerful secret of bay leaves
The reason this plant repels insects is because of its essential oils, such as cineol and eugenol. When mixed with the air in the room, these oils create a repellent sensation for insects. It is important that the leaves are fresh, as this will release more particles of these oils into the air.
Get to know the essetial oils that are effective
Used for centuries across many cultures, their effectiveness has its origin from essential oils like cineole and eugenol. At the time they are released into the air, these compounds generate a strong scent that’s pleasant to people but highly off-putting to insects, making them to maintain their distance from our meal.
Flies depend largely on their sense of smell to navigate, and this is why they tend to steer clear of areas where bay leaves are displayed. As a result, ants, flies, and other insects are repelled from spaces in which bay leaves have been in a given position.
Apart from being effective, bay leaves offer a practical, non-intrusive resolution and are an even more popular alternative to chemical repellant such as chemical sprays.
The mode to use bay leaves is simple: just place bay leaves in imprtant spots around your home: such as behind doors, near windows, or in pantry corners. In the case ants are following a specific way, laying a line of bay leaves along their path can help block their progress.
Homemade bay leaf spray
To prepare a homemade bay leaf spray, first boil two cups of water and add ten bay leaves, allowing them to simmer for ten minutes to extract their properties. Then, let the mixture cool and strain it before pouring it into a spray bottle.
If you want to enhance its effect, you can add a tablespoon of alcohol or white vinegar, which will intensify the repellent action. It is also advisable to add ten drops of bay leaf or eucalyptus essential oil, as these oils prolong the effectiveness of the spray and reinforce its action.
Once the spray is ready, apply it to strategic areas such as doors, windows, furniture, and corners where insects tend to appear. For best results, use it every two or three days to maintain constant protection against pests.
What to do with cockraches
For cockroaches, get the chance to place bay leaves at the interior of cupboards and in darker, hidden areas like corners. To increase the scent’s effectiveness, you can simply crush the dried leaves or boil a few in some water, then use the infused liquid as a spray for hard-to-reach spots. The stronger the aroma, the more effective it is at keeping insects out of our way.
