soap ingredients & pest control

[Zing]

I discovered this week that some soap ingredients can be re-purposed. I have a darn squirrel that likes to dig in only one particular potted plant. I tried everything. And then I found out that squirrels don't like peppermint essential oil. Hmm, where could I get peppermint? Oh, I know!

And at work, where I manage a food pantry, I am always challenged by pesky and gross fruit flies. The most effective trap in my home is made with sliced lemons in vodka. But my employer, for some reason, has a policy about alcohol. So I decided to use my spray bottle of rubbing alcohol. It kills them even when I spray into the air. And if they've landed on a surface, the rubbing alcohol doesn't damage most surfaces. Who knew?

For my fellow Americans, have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend!

 

[AliOop]

Thanks for sharing that! Cotton balls with peppermint EO are wonderful for repelling ants. Makes the house smell nice, too.

We don't tend to get fruit flies where I live now, but in the past, my traps usually consisted of small bowls of diluted ACV. Covered them in plastic wrap with just a small opening left at one edge. Fruit flies dive right in and drown themselves, much like I would do in Willy Wonka's chocolate river if given the opportunity.

 

[artemis]

...But my employer, for some reason, has a policy about alcohol. So I decided to use my spray bottle of rubbing alcohol. It kills them even when I spray into the air. And if they've landed on a surface, the rubbing alcohol doesn't damage most surfaces. Who knew?

I have been using this trick ever since you shared it. The only time it doesn't work is when the fly escapes while I hunt for the bottle. I added a few essential oils to make it smell better.

 

[Zing]

I have been using this trick ever since you shared it. The only time it doesn't work is when the fly escapes while I hunt for the bottle. I added a few essential oils to make it smell better.

Are you hunting for the bottle of vodka? Or rubbing alcohol?

 

[TheGecko]

Sprinkle cayenne pepper in your flower beds to keep the cats from using it as a potty.