How to Make Pest Repellent

Pests got you down? Have they invaded your garden or home? Let Hometalk help. Here you'll find DIY instructional videos to help you banish those pesky pests. Take a moment to look through some of our trendiest posts with eveything you need to know to tailor your pest repeller to meet your specific needs. So, what are you waiting for?

A Fly Went By and Continued On Its Way...DIY Natural FLY Repellent!

How to Make Pest Repellent

Use essential oils to repel pests: Combine oil of lemon eucalyptus with a carrier oil, like olive oil. Mix one part OLE to ten-parts carrier oil and apply directly to the skin.
Grow your own repellent: Grow herbs that contain naphthalene. Citronella is also recommended. Place them near doorways and windows, or dry and hang them where needed.
Use mint to repel cockroaches: Grow mint indoors near windows and cabinets to keep cockroaches away. Placing dried mint in small breathable sachets and hanging helps too.
Repel insects with beer: Mix equal parts flat beer and mouthwash in a spray bottle. Add 2 spoons of Epsom salts and dry yeast. Spray the mixture near outdoor plants.
Make a lavender spray: Pour ¼ cup of organic apple cider vinegar into a spray bottle and add 25 drops of lavender essential oil. Spray on clothing to repel insects.

More Outdoor Ideas

Top Projects for Making Pest Repeller

Visit our top DIY pest repeller projects and get rid of those pests.

6 Ways to Keep Rabbits Out of Your Garden

Rabbits are fluffy, cute, and might be inflicting damage to your yard. That’s right—although the Easter Bunny might only show up in April, his wild counterparts are usually around all year, and it’s no secret that they like to sneak their way into our newly-planted flower and vegetable gardens.As adorable as they are, rabbits have an appetite that can ruin our growing plants. It takes a little work to keep them out, but there are plenty of ways to do so. We’ll walk through everything in this guide to keeping rabbits out of your garden.

Hannah Twietmeyer

Homemade Roach Spray (Good for Ants and Other Bugs Too)

Do you know what the number one question was we were asked this summer? How to get rid of roaches! One of our popular posts is our homemade ant spray, so readers want to know about other insects too. Especially roaches!I just used a bunch of this homemade spray because a random trail of ants showed up on my front porch, and I didn’t want Amelia to get in it. I spray it to safely kill the ants and and things like roaches. It was safe for her, safe for the dog, and killed the ants.

Alexis @ Chemistry Cachet

How to Get Rid of Chipmunks Around Your Garden

For many of us, our yards are our oasis—where we spend time with friends and family, where we soak up the sun, where we grill, drink, and simply enjoy what the seasons have to offer. Your home’s green space is also the perfect place to show off your gardening skills, all while admiring the wildlife and the beauty of nature.If your yard is something you take pride in, then it can be disheartening when it’s damaged by pests. Digging animals, like chipmunks, often make homes in the well-hidden spots in our yards, and while we’d like for them to stay in their natural habitat, their activity can seriously harm our property if they get out of control.Luckily, there are plenty of ways to get rid of the little critters without harming them, and this guide will show you how.

Hannah Twietmeyer

Save Your Garden Sprays

Here are a few different options to save your garden this summer... keep bugs, squirrels, birds - off, and an easy way to kill weeds! The best part - it's super inexpensive! You can find more on my blog Chas' Crazy Creations You can see more of my crazy creations here

Chas' Crazy Creations

A Natural Method for Killing Weeds

With kids and pets, a natural way to kill weeds is your best bet. This method is also more economical than commercial weed killers. You may already have these items around the house. It probably only costs $1.00 a bottle to make.This homemade product is best used on weeds that come up between bricks / pavers on patios. If used on a lawn or garden it will kill grass and flowers / vegetable plants. It cannot discriminate between weeds and other plants.I use a cocktail of (5%) white vinegar, plain table salt and liquid dish soap to quickly kill weeds on my brick patio. Acetic acid in the 5% vinegar and the salt are both very good at drawing moisture from weeds. This causes death to the plants.Stick to 5% white vinegar. Do NOT use the stronger vinegars available. You can find 5% white vinegar in the food section of the grocery store. Dish soap acts as a surfactant. The soap helps the vinegar / salt solution to stick to the leaves.Applied on a warm, sunny day, the results of this homemade weed killer spray will be obvious in a few hours. Total death in a few days.

Lisa S.

Mason Jar Ambiance/ Mosquito Repellent

These hot summer days have been really nice, but the evenings bring far too many mosquitoes. I was looking for a way to create something that was a natural mosquito repellent. I used what I already had at home and came up with something really cute, natural, pretty and serves as a repellent to keep mosquitoes away.

TANGLEWOOD HOMES

How to Get Rid of Hornets Forever and Enjoy a Pest-free Life

One of the many things that make summer so enjoyable is getting together with friends and family for a barbecue. But when you have unwanted guests in the form of stinging hornets, the fun can disappear quickly. If you or someone you know is allergic to insect stings, hornets are extremely dangerous dinner companions.Luckily, the following guide will teach you how to get rid of hornets and hornet nests, with special attention given to keeping your children and pets safe from any treatment method. You’ll also learn how to keep hornets away from your home and yard—for good.It is important to note that hornets are aggressive when they feel threatened and they can sting you multiple times. Their venom is more powerful than bees, wasps, or yellow jackets. Avoiding children and pet exposure to active hornet areas is crucial. The best way to avoid getting stung by a hornet is to protect yourself, kill them, and remove the nest.

Judy Schumer

Keep Mosquitoes Away With This DIY Spray

Yes, I'm dating myself with this one! Paul Harvey had a segment years ago, where he shared this spray recipe.Over the years I think people have forgotten about it. So here it a reminder with photos on how to make it.

Debbie/Dragonfly Treasure

How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs: Your Complete Elimination Guide

The sight of a stink bug lurking around the home is enough to bother you. But when you notice a whole family has moved in, that’s a sign that it’s time to take action. Once stink bugs hide indoors, they slowly settle in for the winter, invading warm spaces like in beds, on top of countertops near the toaster or coffee maker, and even in the shower. They’re cringy little critters, to say the least.The biggest issue about these insects is that you can’t kill them with a paper towel or suck them up with a vacuum as you would if you spotted another creepy-crawly bug. When threatened, stink bugs emit a fluid as a defense mechanism, which has a pungent smell (hence the name “stink bug”), and said fluid can spray up to several inches away from where the bugs are planted. If you’re in the midst of a stink bug home invasion, follow this guide to get them out, odor-free.

Alexa

How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies Easily With Homemade Traps

Fruit flies are some of the most persistent and annoying tiny insects you’ll ever come across. They’re a close match to mosquitos!They don’t bite humans—they don’t even have teeth, but they do carry and spread germs and bacteria. So even if you spot just a single fruit fly, take immediate action because they’ll quickly propagate like crazy.We've put together a guide that'll show you how to get rid of fruit flies for good.Disclaimer: Hometalk may receive a small affiliate commission from purchases made via Amazon links in this article but at no cost to you.

Marilyn Syarto

How to Get Rid of Hornets Forever and Enjoy a Pest-free Life

Judy Schumer

Keep Mosquitoes Away With This DIY Spray

Debbie/Dragonfly Treasure

How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs: Your Complete Elimination Guide

Alexa

How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies Easily With Homemade Traps

Marilyn Syarto

Get ready to be inspired by our DIY pest repeller project slideshows.

DIY Pest Repeller Videos

Watch our DIY video tutorials on how to make your own pest repeller.

Homemade Weed Killer – 5 Reasons You Should Be Using It

Have you tried this 3 ingredient weed killer? If you are skeptical, maybe I can change your mind.First things first, the mixture is:Mostly white vinegarAbout a 1/4 cup of saltA couple of tablespoons (2-3) of Dawn dish soapIf you like precise measurements, I will apologize ahead of time and recommend a quick google search. The important thing to know is that the vinegar and the salt kill the weeds, and the dish soap helps the solution stick to the vegetation. I have heard some folks leave out the salt, but I have not tried this version, so I can’t speak to its effectiveness.But I can tell you that we have lived in our house for over 20 years, and this is the first year that I feel like I finally have the weeds under control, and it is all thanks to these three ingredients and the tips I am going to share with you.

Cindy @ Upcycle Design Lab

DIY Spider Repellent

As the days get cooler and autumn starts to roll in, you may notice spiders starting to creep into your home. Whether or not you’re afraid of spiders, you have to admit- running through cobwebs in your house and finding giant spiders on the walls and cupboards is less than desirable. Try this DIY Spider Repellent Recipe to get rid of existing spiders and prevent new ones from hanging out in your house.

Adrienne Carrie Hubbard | Crafty Little Gnome

Easy Natural Weed Killer

I don't like using harsh chemicals at all. You don't need to when it comes to killing weeds. You can kill them with a couple of items you probably already have in your home! You can see more of my crazy creations here

Chas' Crazy Creations

Shred Soap With a Grater for This Crazy Cool Gardening Hack

It's springtime here and I'm busy getting my garden and apple tree ready. I get those pesky rabbits, squirrels, voles, aphids, and more in mine during gardening season - how about you? I thought I would share a few tips on things I use to keep those pests out of my garden. You can see more of my crazy creations here

Chas' Crazy Creations

Hometalkers' Favorite DIY Pest Repeller Projects

Here are the best pest repeller projects on Hometalk. Learn something new!

How to Get Rid of Mice and Keep Them Away for Good

By Marilyn SyartoAs cute as mice can sometimes be (hence why some people keep them as pets), they can carry diseases into your home that are best left outdoors. They may transmit dangerous bacteria and disease through their feces or fleas and mites that hitch rides on their skin. Not only are humans at risk, but so are your pets, because mice can leave traces of bacteria in water and food bowls. Our guide gives you the best tips on catching a mouse, disposing of a mouse, and making your home as mouse-proof as possible.

Marilyn Syarto

How to Identify and Get Rid of Moles in Your Yard

By Marilyn SyartoIf you ever wondered how the “molehill” got its name, it’s because moles love to make little hills of dirt and grass. It’s no wonder you want to know how to get rid of moles. Those little molehills, though made by these somewhat cute and nearly blind-as-a-bat animals (they have teeny-tiny eyes), may have made a mess of your garden and yard. If you’ve caught moles in your yard and don’t know what to do about it, we’ve got the guide for you.

Marilyn Syarto

How to Kill Grass in Flower Beds: 6 Foolproof Ways

By Hannah TwietmeyerNatural weed removal can be a lot of work, but it’s not impossible. If things have gotten out of hand with grass, especially, and it’s taken over your mulch and flowers, one look at your garden might prompt you to dial the nearest landscaping service. But not so fast — you’re actually able to kill off and control unwanted grass growth in a few natural ways.From DIY natural herbicides to simple heat from the sun, we’ve rounded up six ways for you to kill grass in your flower beds to help make your garden the best-looking one on the block.

How-To Guides

How to Get Rid of Carpenter Ants Before They Do Damage

If you're looking for how to get rid of carpenter ants, you've come to the right place.Ants are hard workers, and carpenter ants like to work hard to destroy your home. So, if you see one carpenter ant, don’t dismiss it as a non-problem; there are likely thousands more quietly doing their job on your walls.Their job? To chew away wood in homes and furniture to make safe pathways—called “galleries” in the extermination world—for their colonies and nests.Carpenter ants do like to chew, so believe it or not, they can be beneficial outdoor insects that feed on annoying plant-damaging bugs such as aphids and scale. They also aid in composting rotting wood, and they help eliminate pest carcasses and debris in the garden.Unfortunately, carpenter ants are not so tasty to many other predators, except for the occasional passing bat that snags a winged one. Carpenter ants are less damaging outside, but you don’t want them to ruin your shed or wooden structures, either.Our guide gives you tips and steps to take to manage a carpenter ant infestation and keep them from doing more serious damage to your home.

Marilyn Syarto

How to Get Rid of Termites Naturally and Effectively

By Stacey KelleherOf all the issues that can cause anxiety for homeowners, termites are probably at the top of the list. After all, these determined little pests aren’t called “silent destroyers” for nothing. Every year, termites cause an estimated $5 billion in property damage, and the costs are not typically covered by homeowner’s insurance.If you suspect termites have invaded your home, it's important to act quickly. Termites are insatiable, eating virtually around the clock. Left to their own devices, termite colonies can do significant damage in a matter of months and go on to completely destroy a home’s wood structure in just a year or two.Fortunately, there are several effective ways to get rid of termites in the house naturally and repel future infestations without the use of toxic chemicals. This guide will walk you through it all!

Stacey

How to Get Rid of Clover in Your Lawn

By Alexa EricksonA well-manicured lawn is a stunning sight. It’s easy to appreciate a dreamy patch of luscious grass and the way it accents a beautiful home. Time, money, labor, and appreciation all go into it. If you’re one of those people who pays close attention to keeping your lawn in pristine condition, you're probably familiar with clover, a common weed found in lawns that, while not particularly damaging, is a nuisance.Here’s what you need to know about how to identify clover in your lawn, and a few ways to get rid of it and keep it away for good.

Alexa

How to Get Rid of Mice and Keep Them Away for Good

Marilyn Syarto

How to Identify and Get Rid of Moles in Your Yard

Marilyn Syarto

How to Kill Grass in Flower Beds: 6 Foolproof Ways

How-To Guides

How to Get Rid of Carpenter Ants Before They Do Damage

Marilyn Syarto

How to Get Rid of Termites Naturally and Effectively

Stacey

How to Get Rid of Clover in Your Lawn

Alexa

Popular Pest Repeller Making Discussions

Browse the DIY pest repeller discussion board and give us your two cents.

Best time of day or weather to spray weed control like Round up or Weed B Gon.

Kevin M. Veler, Law Office of

I remember someone mentioning there was a better time to spray so that the green leaves absorb the liquid but I cannot seem to find it in the archives.Best natural weed killer!Want to kill weeds without harsh chemicals? Try this highly reviewed natural weed killer that Amazon reviewers swear by!

Answer

Would bombing my storage unit for roaches be effective?

Danielle

I want to clean up and organize my storage unit, but I am almost sure there are cockroaches in there and they petrify me. Would bombing the unit before the clean-up be an effective solution?

Would bombing my storage unit for roaches be effective?

Answer

How do I get rid of those hovering flies on my patio?

Kathi Davis

When we open the slider to go out on the patio, there's this bunch of flies that like To hang out there. We have the water bags with the foil hanging there, they do absolutely nothing. We've tried sprays etc. The patio is clean, and we don't have any animals, except those stupid flies. Does anyone else have this problem, and if so, what's the solution to get rid of them????Best fly traps!Get rid of flies with these recommended chemical free discreet fly traps that Amazon reviewers swear by!

Answer

New Making Pest Repeller Projects

Looking for new ideas of how to make pest repeller? Peruse our collection here.

How to Get Rid of Roaches Inside and Outside Your Home

By Marilyn SyartoYou’re sitting at home, minding your own business, and spot one: A cockroach, with its shiny coat of armor, creepy-crawly legs, and moving antennae. Don’t panic yet—there are ways to get rid of roaches, and you don’t always need a professional for the job. There are also some DIY methods to get rid of roaches naturally so you don’t need to rely on roach-bombing pesticides. Our guide will give you some of the best proven methods and tips for blasting these creatures out of your home.

Marilyn Syarto

A Comprehensive Guide on How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

By Marilyn Syarto Finding out you have bed bugs in your furniture and bedding can be a nightmare. Just like head lice, it takes patience to eradicate these little bugs from your life. On the bright side, bed bugs are more annoying than they are dangerous because they don’t carry or spread disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But bed bug bites can itch, leading to scratching and secondary skin infections, or serious allergies that can take a toll on you and your family. The bottom line: Eradicate them, pronto. Luckily, our comprehensive guide will teach you how to get rid of bed bugs for good.

Marilyn Syarto

7 Mind-Blowing Irish Spring Soap Tips for a Pest-Free Home

Discover the incredible power of Irish Spring soap beyond its traditional use. In this post, we'll explore a series of practical and effective Irish Spring soap hacks that can revolutionize your household chores and pest control.This post was transcribed by a member of the Hometalk editorial team from the original HometalkTV episode. You can see more of my crazy creations here

Chas' Crazy Creations

How to Get Rid Of Wild Violets When They Take Over Your Lawn

By Sharon BrandweinAs the old saying goes, one man's trash is another man's treasure, and nowhere is this more true than in the case of wild violets. While some see wild violets as a quick-growing groundcover that leaves their yards awash in purple flowers, others see them as an invasive weed that detracts from the beauty of a lush green lawn. And while some folks see wild violets as a bright addition to their summer salad or a cure for what ails them, others see them as a nuisance that must be dealt with. If you fall into the latter category, rest assured that you're not alone. There are plenty of folks who prefer not to let their beautiful lawns fall prey to a bully wearing purple.If you’re looking for ways to get rid of wild violets in your yard, you’ve come to the right place. Ahead, this guide walks you through how to get rid of wild violets, plus we offer some tips to help you keep them from coming back.

How-To Guides

How to Get Rid of Boxelder Bugs and Prevent Them From Coming Around

By Stacey KelleherBoxelder bugs are common household pests that live in and feed on outdoor trees during the warmer months. During the colder months, they seek refuge from the freezing temperatures in homes, garages, and other warm structures.While boxelder bugs are relatively harmless, they can stain your furnishings, and when moved or killed, they produce a strong, unpleasant odor. Learn how to identify, remove, and prevent these pests with our handy how-to guide for getting rid of boxelder bugs.

Stacey

How to Get Rid of House Flies (and Keep Them Far Away)

By Marilyn SyartoGetting house flies is like getting the common cold—it’s bound to happen. Luckily there are plenty of ways to get rid of house flies naturally before you ever have to open a can of pesticide. If you see one house fly in your home, well, maybe it just happened to accidentally slip through an open door or a hole in a window screen. Get rid of that house fly but keep an eye out for more because you don’t know if the one you swatted just laid eggs. Just like roaches and mice, flies multiply faster than you can say the word, and we’ve put together a guide to get to the bottom of the problem and help you get rid of house flies for once and for all.

Marilyn Syarto