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Basil For a quick insect repellent, just rub some crushed basil leaves on your skin, or add the essential oil to a outdoors blend
Catnip Researchers at Iowa State University found nepetalactone, the essential oil in catnip that gives the plant its characteristic odor, is ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET.( )
Feverfew To protect against flies, gnats and mosquitoes, and especially bees bathe exposed skin with a double strength standard brew of Feverfew and let dry.
Garlic Crushed garlic is a good addition to any homemade insecticide spray. Garlic cloves, placed in the ground around plants will deter slugs. Garlic is a natural pesticide against mosquito larvae.
Geranium oil Spray house and garden plants with geranium oil diluted in distilled water to discourage larvae from feeding
Lavender oil, flowers Use lavender sachet bags to protect clothes against moths. Also flies and mosquitoes dislike the fragrance, use the oil in insect sprays, or add the cut flowers to flower vases.
Lemon ecualyptus oil Oil of lemon eucalyptus Eucalyptus citriodoraprovides provides protection against mosquito bites, according to the CDC
Lemongrass, citronella es Add 1 to 2 drops (depending on your pets size), of lemongrass or citronella essential oil to your pets shampoo. It added a fresh clean scent and discourages fleas. Also a good mosquito repellent.
Neem oil Neem oil is a good natural insecticide for the garden
PennyRoyal Oil Pennyroyal has been used as a natural insect repellent for centuries. A little goes a long way
Peppermint oil Ants dislike peppermint, you can prevent them from entering by scenting cotton balls, spraying along shelves,and entryways( )
Red cedarwood oil Red cedarwood is very good insect repellent, effective against mosquitoes, moths, woodworms, leeches and rats.
Tea tree oil For quick relief from mosquito or chigger bites, rub tea tree oil on them. Tea tree is generally safe to apply directly to skin, but do an allergy test first.
Thyme Place sprigs of thyme among clothes or linens to dispel musty odors and deter insect pests. Both the leaves and flowers can be used to stuff sachets.
Wormwood This bitter herb has strong pest repellent properties, use as a companion plant in the garden, or infused in oil for topical skin applications.
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In the early 1900's rat catchers would make use of peppermint oil by blocking their holes and with rags soaked with peppermint, and drive them with ferrets through the remaining holes into bags. Herbs and essential oils use in pest control continues in today's home, minus the ferrets.
