DIY Natural Pest Repellent Using Toothpaste and Common Household Items

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon of minty toothpaste
• 1 tablespoon of baking soda
• 1 tablespoon of white vinegar
• 5 to 10 drops of peppermint essential oil (optional, but enhances potency)
• ½ cup of warm water
• A small bowl, jar lid, or shallow dish for the mixture

How to Make It:

1. Start by placing 1 tablespoon of toothpaste into a small bowl.
2. Add 1 tablespoon of baking soda and stir until the mixture is well combined.
3. Slowly add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar. The mixture will start to fizz — this is expected.
4. Pour in ½ cup of warm water and mix until smooth and even.
5. If desired, add 5 to 10 drops of peppermint essential oil to strengthen its pest-repelling qualities.
6. Pour the mixture into small, shallow containers like jar lids or small plates.
7. Place these around your home — in corners, near trash bins, under sinks, or by windows.

What to Expect Within an Hour

• The minty scent from the toothpaste and essential oil deters mosquitoes and flies.
• The combination of baking soda and vinegar creates conditions that cockroaches find intolerable.
• Within just an hour, you’ll likely notice fewer pests as they begin to vacate the treated areas.

Helpful Tips

• Refresh the mixture every two to three days to maintain its effectiveness.
• For added coverage, dip a cotton swab into the solution and apply a thin layer behind appliances or along baseboards where pests may enter.

This simple, natural solution can be an easy and inexpensive way to help keep unwanted insects at bay.