As summer arrives, household pests get busy. Warmer temperatures accelerate breeding cycles, while higher humidity and more open windows make it easier for pests to get inside.
So although we’re starting to peel off a layer or two and enjoying the sunshine and warmth, we need to be on the lookout for common pests making their way into our homes.
But there’s no need to be heavy-handed with pest control and go for the kill; there are easy ways to get rid of summer pests without causing harm.
Here, Emily Green, home maintenance expert at Howarth Timber, shares how to get rid of seven common pests naturally, using preventative measures.
1. Rats
When my son spotted a 'very, very large mouse' in my backyard, I knew I was in trouble! And according to Green, keeping rats and mice under control in and around the home is really about making the environment less attractive to them in the first place, rather than relying on reactive measures.
She says, “Food sources should be removed entirely, so all waste needs to be stored in sealed bins,” and adds, “Entry points are just as important, and even small gaps around sheds, pipework and air bricks can allow rodents inside, so these should be sealed as a priority.”
What’s more, to outsmart rats in your yard, she suggests sprinkling black pepper around entry points to create an irritant barrier. At the same time, eucalyptus leaves or rosemary cuttings placed in sheds or greenhouses may further disrupt rodent movement patterns.
2. Spiders
If you find spiders inside your home, they are probably following prey and looking for food.
“Citrus remains an effective deterrent,” says Green, “so wiping frames and corners with diluted lemon juice can help discourage entry”
Another deterrent is to create a simple chalk barrier, as spiders are reluctant to cross powdery, alkaline surfaces. Regular cleaning in corners, behind furniture and along ceilings with one of the best vacuums also helps remove webs and egg sacs before they develop further.
3. Fruit flies
Fruit flies love a warm kitchen, where ripe fruit and organic waste are an open invitation. Prevention starts with removing anything that attracts them in the first place.
Green advises, “Bins should be emptied frequently and kept tightly sealed, while sink drains also need attention, as food waste build-up can quickly create breeding sites.”
One way to clean your sink drain is to pour boiling water down it, but you need to perform this regularly. Green says it will help clear any residue and reduce pest activity.
If any fruit flies do appear, Green suggests making a simple natural trap. Place apple cider vinegar in a bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, then pierce it with small holes to attract and trap the flies.
Other techniques include adding a few drops of essential oils, such as lemon or eucalyptus, onto cotton wool balls and placing them around your kitchen to deter pests. Although we enjoy the scent, ants will scurry in the opposite direction.
4. Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes can be among the most annoying pests in summer and are more prevalent in warm, humid conditions with standing water, which create ideal breeding environments.
“The most effective way to control them is to remove stagnant water wherever it collects,” says Green. And she recommends removing plant saucers, bird baths that are not regularly cleaned, buckets, watering cans and any outdoor containers left exposed to rain.
Alongside this, she says natural repellents can help reduce activity around outdoor spaces. “Essential oils such as neem, eucalyptus and mint can be diluted and applied to seating areas, while planting mosquito-repelling herbs like lavender, mint and basil near doors and patios can also help deter them,” she adds.
5. Daddy longlegs
“Daddy longlegs are the most commonly seen in late summer and early fall as they drift indoors, often drawn towards light around windows and doors,” says Green. “Once inside, they tend to settle quietly around window frames and corners, so keeping these areas clear and well maintained can make the space feel less inviting.”
She suggests wiping window frames with a diluted vinegar solution, which can help discourage lingering. Plus, sealing gaps around vents, windows and door frames will help prevent entry in the first place.
6. Wasps
Wasps become more active in summer as they forage for sugary foods and protein sources, which often brings them closer to outdoor dining areas. “They are particularly drawn to uncovered drinks and food left out during warmer afternoons, making prevention an important first step,” explains Green.
Apart from clearing away food and keeping drinks covered, she suggests using peppermint and clove oil as a deterrent. When diluted in water and placed in a small container around seating areas, the strong scent will disrupt wasps’ foraging behavior.
7. Ants
Ants often enter homes in search of food during warmer months, particularly sugary or greasy residues. For this reason, Green says that removing crumbs and thoroughly cleaning surfaces are essential, as even small traces of food can attract trails.
She suggests applying natural barriers such as vinegar, lemon juice or cinnamon along baseboards, door thresholds and entry points to disrupt scent trails. As with other pests, sealing entry points is important, as ants can exploit even very small cracks in walls, floors and windows.
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