Make them go away—the green way
Basil
Flies apparently hate the smell of basil, so putting small pots of this useful herb on windowsills and on your kitchen counter can keep this annoying insects at bay. Planting them in your garden near your tomato plants can also help keep tomato bugs, white flies and aphids away from eating your prized heirlooms.
Citrus
Citrus, particularly lemon, repels spiders by irritating the sensors that they have in their front legs. Make your own spider repellant by filling a 1-quart spray bottle with water and adding 1 tablespoon of lemon essential oil ( make sure to use a natural essential oil, not synthetic.) Shake to mix, and spray around doorways and windowsills. You can also discourage spiders in your garden by spreading a few lemon, orange, or lime peels amongst your plants. Bonus: This spray can also help keep fleas under control, too.
Vinegar
Vinegar is great on salads—unless you're serving it to an ant. These annoying critters evidently hate the common condiment, so mix up this spray that will disturb their trails and discourage them from marching into your home: Combine equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray along baseboards and anywhere you see ants entering, and also on counters and cabinets where you see ants gathering.
Catnip
According to research, catnip is around ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET (the chemical used in most commercial insect repellents). Grow it in your garden to create an unwelcome environment for the blood-suckers, or use catnip oil to make your own spray.
Salt
This explains why you never see fleas putting salt on their popcorn. The common table seasoning acts as a dehydrating agent and dries out the bodies of the the hopping menaces. Use refined household salt or sea salt and grind to a powder consistency. Sprinkle it lightly and evenly over your carpet, brush it in and leave it in for 12 to 48 hours. Vacuum thoroughly and repeat as necessary.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon—specifically cinnamon bark oil—has been found to control dust mites. Mix a few drops into a solution of equal parts water and denatured alcohol and lightly spray on carpets, bedding, in corners, along baseboards and any other places where dust is collecting.
