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October 27, 2024 6 min read

Hey Go For Zero fam!

Today, we're tackling something every Aussie deals with - bugs! Whether you're protecting your home from unwanted visitors or trying to enjoy the great outdoors without being a mozzie's lunch, I've got you covered with natural solutions that are kind to both your family and our planet.

How does natural bug protection work?

Natural bug protection taps into the incredible power of plants to repel pests without synthetic chemicals. Plants have developed natural defences to keep bugs away, using unique scents, tastes, and textures that insects don't like. Here are some of the top natural ways plants protect themselves:

  1. Strong scents: Plants like lavender, mint, and lemongrass emit scents that we find refreshing but bugs don't like. These natural scents are a built-in barrier, telling pests to stay away. It's like how certain smells keep us away too.  If there were a strong smell of vinegar in the kitchen, you'd probably stay clear! Bugs feel the same way and won't come near those plants. So, essential oils from these plants are particularly powerful for repelling mosquitoes and other bothersome insects.
  2. Bitter (& Toxic) Tastes: Just like we don't eat food that tastes bad, some plants, such as rosemary and clove, produce naturally bitter or slightly toxic chemicals in their leaves and stems, making them taste unpleasant to insects, deterring them naturally.
  3. Tricky Textures: Some plants, like geranium and citronella, have prickly leaves or sticky surfaces. This makes crawling and staying on the plant difficult for pests, further discouraging them from sticking around.

It's nature's way of keeping a balance. Using these natural plant defences as insect repellents allows us to stay protected naturally without harsh manufactured chemicals.

Natural Pest Control: How to Create a Bug-Free Home Environment

Research shows that many household pests can be effectively managed using natural methods. The key is understanding what attracts these unwanted visitors and how to deter them using safe, eco-friendly solutions naturally. Here are our top four common (household) bugs and their natural solutions:

Ants

Ants create invisible scent trails, much like street signs, to lead their companions to food sources. When one ant discovers a tasty spot—like your dog's food bowl or kitchen trash can—it leaves a scent trail to help the rest of the colony find the way. That is why you often see them in 1 line on the same spot. To get rid of ants, we want to remove these trails.

  1. Dishwashing liquid: Fill a bucket with warm water and a bit of dish soap, and scrub the areas where you see ants travelling to and from the food source. You may need to repeat this a few times to eliminate the scent trails completely.
  2. Vinegar: Vinegar spray is an effective natural ant repellent. Simply mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, then spray it along entry points where ants enter your home. This natural solution disrupts their scent trails and helps keep ants away.
  3. Essential oils: Some essential oils, including peppermint, citrus, and tea tree, are powerful natural ant repellents. To make a spray:
    1. Add 1/4 cup of water, 15 drops of tea tree oil, 15 drops of peppermint oil, and 7 drops of any citrus oil to a spray bottle.
    2. Shake well and spray in areas where ants are common, such as baseboards.
    3. Avoid spraying this mixture in the kitchen. For food-preparation areas, use a safer blend of 15 drops of peppermint oil, 7 drops of lemon oil, and water.
  4. Cinnamon: This spice in your pantry can be sprinkled around ant scent trails and baseboards to repel ants naturally. The cinnamon's strong scent deters these pests and keeps your home ant-free.
  5. Chalk: Creating a line around your baseboards and food items effectively keeps ants at bay. Ants won't cross the chalk line.
  6. Airtight containers: Of course, remember to keep food in airtight containers to eliminate ant attractions.

Cockroaches

Did you know that there are over 400 species of cockroaches in Australia? Gross! They are attracted to food, water and shelter...our homes, basically. Here is what you can do:

  1. Essential oils: Cockroaches are repelled by the smell of specific essential oils, including peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender, and citronella. Create a diluted spray solution of these oils around your home (DIY below). This natural method keeps roaches away and leaves your space smelling fresh. Winning!
  2. Keep the kitchen clean: Yes, wipe down your kitchen after every meal, put your dirty dishes in the dishwasher, take out bins and put a lit of food leftovers before bed. They eat about everything, so not having food exposed is crucial.
  3. Bay leaves: Place bay leaves in kitchen cupboards. It is a proven natural deterrent.
  4. Water sources: Fix leaking taps & don't overwater plants. They love water, so keep your area dry.

Moths

Clothes moths are drawn to natural fabrics like wool, silk, fur, and cashmere. The larvae feed on keratin, a protein found in animal fibres, so they often damage woollen clothing and other animal-based textiles. Besides storing clothes in airtight containers, here are some other things you can do:

  1. Essential oils:  These are the oils moths can't stand. You can make them into a spray at home with a scent you love from the list below or simply sprinkle on old socks.
    1. Peppermint: Refreshing and potent, peppermint deters moths and can disrupt their pheromones, enhancing protection.
    2. Cedarwood: Cedarwood's fresh, earthy aroma deters moths and kills larvae, keeping your wardrobe safe.
    3. Lavender: Loved by humans but highly repulsive to moths. It is ideal for sachets (if you have lavender) or making a closet spray.
    4. Thyme: Thyme's herbal scent, rich in thymol, is a potent moth deterrent, perfect for infusing spaces with a protective aroma.
    5. Eucalyptus: With a menthol-like fragrance, eucalyptus keeps moths away and offers antibacterial properties.
    6. Clove: Known for its spicy, intense aroma, clove repels moths and insects.
    7. Patchouli: Patchouli oil contains natural insecticidal compounds, preventing moths from laying eggs while creating a sweet, earthy aroma.
  2. Airtight container: Store clothes in airtight containers to prevent moth infestations.
  3. Cedar blocks: Use cedar blocks in closets (studies show moths actively avoid these scents). 
  4. Cleaning: Regular cleaning and vacuuming prevent infestations by removing moth eggs and larvae.

Mosquitoes

Did you know only female mosquitos bite? They need the protein in blood to develop their eggs, so they seek out animals (including humans) to feed on blood before laying eggs.

Certain essential oils can naturally repel mosquitoes by disrupting their attraction mechanisms or acting as mild insecticides. Here are some of the top essential oils to repel mosquitoes:

  1. Lemongrass: Like citronella, lemongrass oil contains high amounts of citral and geraniol, both adequate at repelling mosquitoes. It has been found effective for about 2-3 hours post-application and provides antibacterial benefits.
  2. Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus, particularly lemon eucalyptus, has proven almost as effective as DEET in some studies. It contains PMD (para-menthane-3,8-diol), known for its mosquito-repelling capabilities.
  3. Peppermint: Known for its menthol component, peppermint oil provides a cooling sensation and effectively repels mosquitoes by disrupting their olfactory senses. Studies show a 76% reduction in mosquito bites when using peppermint-based repellents.
  4. Citronella: Widely recognised, citronella oil masks scents that attract mosquitoes. It has shown up to 95% effectiveness in repelling mosquitoes for a few hours post-application, although it needs reapplication for extended use.
  5. Clove: This oil is particularly potent, with studies showing an 83% repellency rate against certain mosquito species. Clove oil contains eugenol, a compound that mosquitoes find repulsive, but it may be best to dilute it due to its strength.
  6. Lavender: Lavender is such a multifunctional oil. Its strong floral scent is unappealing to not only moths and cockroaches, but also mosquitoes! 
  7. Patchouli: Patchouli has insecticidal solid properties due to compounds like patchoulol, which effectively deter mosquitoes for prolonged periods.

If you are not keen to make your own spray, we have some Australian made, mosquito repellent balms here too!

The main thing to remember is to reapply natural bug balms regularly. The fragrance is a deterrent to insects, so as long as you can smell the balm, it's doing its job. Ingredients in bug balms, such as essential oils, can evaporate over time, which reduces their effectiveness. This means the protective barrier they provide can diminish, especially in warm or windy conditions or when you go swimming or sweat a lot. I follow a simple rule: if I can’t smell it anymore, it’s time to reapply. Once you do this, you will love using natural bug balms—they smell incredible! 

DIY Natural Insect Repellent Recipe

While we stock a range of natural insect repellents made by Aussie families at Go For Zero, if you want to have a go at creating your own effective bug spray using research-backed ingredients, check out our simple recipe below:

Ingredients:

  • 20 drops of lemongrass eucalyptus oil
  • 10 drops of lavender essential oil
  • 60ml witch hazel (if you have it. This helps the oil mix with water)
  • 60ml distilled water
  • Amber glass spray bottle (we have a 500 ml here)

Mix all ingredients and shake well before each use. Remember! Always patch test first and avoid contact with eyes. 

Remember, while natural solutions might require more frequent application than chemical alternatives, the benefits to your health and our planet make it worth the extra effort. Plus, many of these solutions are multi-taskers - like essential oils that not only keep bugs away but make everything smell amazing too!

Here's to bug-free living, wherever life takes you!

With love, 

Ellie x

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