5 Insect Repellants for Home That Actually Work

Spending time outdoor is great, but getting bug bites are definitely not. It is important to know that bites from mosquitos, ticks, and other insects can sometimes be so much more than just itchy or irritating. Certain bugs can carry diseases like malaria and Lyme disease, which are quite dangerous for humans, especially children. What’s worse is that these annoying insects can be found in the comfort of your home. We all want our houses to be free of insects, but in reality, it’s actually not that easy. There are many bug insect repellent for home products out there, but not all of them are safe for your home. Some chemicals are too strong to be used near humans and pets, so you need to choose carefully. No need to worry though as we have compiled the top five insect repellents for your home in this article.       

The Most Common House Insects

The earliest step in getting rid of house insects is to know what type of insect that you are dealing with. Some of them are quite easy to take care of, so you can also try removing them with natural ingredients first before grabbing an insect repellent for home. Here are some of the most common house insects out there:

Ants

When you see an ant running around, your first instinct is probably to step on it. But it’s actually quite useless because chances are there may be hundreds more hiding in the house. The ones you notice are scout ants, which jobs are to forage for food and take it back to the colony.

As annoying as they are, ants are mostly harmless to people. If left alone, however, ants can appear to be everywhere, invading your house, contaminating your food, and perhaps even spreading diseases. Try making a mixture of lemon juice, cinnamon, and peppermint to keep ants out of your home.

Fruit Flies

When there’s food, there are fruit flies. Despite their name, fruit flies actually like practically anything, not just fruits. Naturally, they like to hover around in the kitchen, where all the foods are stored. Aside from being annoying, fruit flies can also carry certain bacteria such as salmonella, E. coli, and listeria. These germs can cause you to get food poisoning, which in some cases can be life-threatening.

If you find fruit flies invading your kitchen, you can try mixing a small amount of dish soap with some vinegar or wine. Place the mixture in a bowl. Cover the bowl with a plastic wrap and make some holes in the top. This will attract the flies and trap them.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are known to be hard to track down and remove permanently, but they are not impossible to get rid of. You can start by deep cleaning your house and sealing up the open holes that they might use to get inside. You can also remove unnecessary items from the floor, such as stacks of magazines, newspaper, or others.  

Spiders

Spiders often come indoors to find food and warmth. They feed on insects, which can be quite beneficial, but having them in your house and letting them breed there is not necessarily convenient. Not to mention that some spiders can bite and may cause allergic reactions. If you want to get rid of them, you need to act quickly before they get a chance to lay their eggs.

Fleas

This type of insect is certainly dangerous, especially if it gets near your dogs or cats. Fleas can be found in carpets, sofas, and other materials. You can start removing them by using the vacuum cleaner. Aside from that, you can also use boric acid, diatomaceous earth, or flea traps.

5 Best Insect Repellent for Home

If you still have problems with house insects, you need to try using bug repellents. Here are some of the best bug repellents that are worth checking out:

Doff Ant & Crawling Insect Killer

Doff Ant & Crawling Insect Killer is a handy insect repellent for home to get rid of ants, beetles, earwigs, and other crawling insects. With its rich formula, this product can control a wide range of insects and remove them from your home effectively. The ready-to-use trigger spray presents a safe and effective solution to be used indoors and outdoors. You can spray it on any hard surface in your home, including the floor, walls, and furniture.

Raid Ant & Cockroach Killer

If you’re struggling with ants and cockroaches, Raid Ant & Cockroach Killer is for you. It can kill insects on the spot and continue to protect the surface up to four weeks with its residual activity. This way, you can keep your home safe from insects with just a few easy sprays. Conveniently, no residual smell is left behind after use.     

Zero In Clothes Moth Killer

As the name suggests, Zero In Clothes Moth Killer is a repellent to get rid of clothes moths. Its rapid action spray can kill loads of clothes moths in no time, including the larvae and eggs. You can use it to protect your clothes by spraying it on the inside of wardrobes, cupboards, and drawers.

Nippon Ant Killer Liquid

Nippon Ant Killer Liquid is a great alternative to get rid of ants indoors. It contains sugary bait that’s specifically formulated to lure black ants – the type that usually live inside the home – and destroy the entire colony without a trace. It is particularly useful when the ant nest is hard to locate. Once you spread the formula, worker ants will take the sweet bait and feed it to the entire colony.

Xpel Mosquito & Insect Repellent Spray

Xpel Mosquito & Insect Repellent Spray is undoubtedly one of the best bug repellents to remove a wide range of insects. The brand offers many types of bug solutions that come in various forms, including sprays, wipes, and plug-ins. It even has a special Deet-free product that’s safe for children and suitable for travelling.

What to Consider When Choosing a Insect Repellent for Home

There are at least two factors that you should consider when shopping for a bug repellent.

Active Ingredients

It’s important to ensure that the bug repellent contains active ingredients and appropriate for the type of insects that you’re looking to repel. Ingredients like Permethrin should not be used directly on the skin as it is only suitable for clothing and gear. Meanwhile, DEET, picaridin, and natural oils are safe for the skin.

If you’re still unsure, it’s recommended to check the EPA’s website. It can help you check the use of a particular ingredient as well as its effectiveness. It’s also able to help you narrow down the best insect repellent for home for your needs.

Level of Effectiveness

Look how long the formula lasts and how often you’ll need to reapply the formula. Some repellents only last for a couple of hours and need to be reapplied right after, while others can last for weeks. If you’re looking for a longlasting repellent, go for the ones with a higher concentration of active ingredients like DEET or picaridin.