The Essential Home Maintenance Task You Should Do Now To Prevent Pests This Fall

Beautiful falling leaves, cooler weather, and everything pumpkin are just a few of the things we love about fall, but there is one thing that we definitely don't like about this season: pests. As these intruders try to make their way in, it's up to you to stop this from happening. And while you may be tempted to grab a chemical solution, you don't need to because there are safe ways to repel bugs naturally in your home. And luckily, you may already have the necessary supplies because cleaning your window sill, then soaking cotton balls in essential oils and placing them directly on it, is the essential home maintenance task you should do now to prevent pests this fall.

Autumn is prime time for insects like beetles, roaches, centipedes, stink bugs, fruit flies, and silverfish, as well as rats and mice, as they look for a place to stay warm and secure all winter long. Therefore, using the pungent plant extracts found in these oils naturally keeps uninvited guests away. When choosing and using the right essential oils to keep various types of pests at bay, pick an option that works for the types of pests in your environment. Many flying bugs like flies and mosquitoes can't handle eucalyptus, clove, rosemary, and lavender, while cockroaches can't stand tea tree oil. For mice, spread peppermint oil around areas like garages and sheds to deter them from setting up camp. Once you have your oils, now is the time to learn how to easily accomplish this hack.

Now that you know it can naturally keep these nuisances away, it's time to implement the task. And luckily, it's actually quite simple — grab the soft, white balls and drop about five drops of the essential oil of your choice. Start by cleaning out the dirt, grime, and other debris from the window sill where the pests come from. Take a few different bowls or plates and place cotton balls inside. You also can mix scents together, creating a divine smell as well as a stronger deterrent for pests. Once moist, take the damp balls and place them in the problem areas, like around potential cracks in the window sills.

Leave them there for a few days and then switch them out by repeating the same steps. If pests continue to make their way in, you may need to place more out, replace them sooner, or contact a professional team for extra assistance. It's important to note that specific essential oils are dangerous to consume and should not be left around pets and children. Don't forget to properly close and store your essential oil droppers and leftover cotton balls. And if you think it only keeps pesky intruders away, essential oils and cotton balls will eradicate bad smells, especially in odorous areas like your kitchen and bathroom, killing two birds with one stone.