Summer brings sunshine, open windows, and more time outdoors—but it also marks the peak season for household pests. Warmer temperatures and higher humidity create ideal breeding conditions for insects and other unwelcome visitors, making it easier for them to find their way indoors.
To help you stay pest-free this summer, we’ve gathered top tips from Emily Green, a home maintenance expert at Howarth Timber, on how to get rid of seven common pests using natural ingredients and simple preventive methods.
Rats
“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,” says Emily. “Food sources should be removed entirely, so all waste needs to be stored in sealed garbage cans. 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.”
Keen to keep it natural? “A sprinkling of crushed black pepper around entry points can also create an irritant barrier, while eucalyptus leaves or rosemary cuttings placed in sheds or greenhouses may further disrupt rodent movement patterns.”
Spiders
“Spiders often move indoors during summer while following insect prey,” says Emily.
“Citrus remains an effective deterrent, so wiping frames and corners with diluted lemon juice can help discourage entry. A simple chalk barrier can also be used, as spiders are reluctant to cross powdery, alkaline surfaces. Regular vacuuming in corners, behind furniture, and along ceilings also helps remove webs and egg sacs before they develop further.”
Fruit Flies
“Fruit flies thrive in warm kitchens where ripe fruit and organic waste are present, so prevention starts with removing anything that attracts them in the first place,” says Emily. “Garbage cans should be emptied frequently and kept tightly sealed, while sink drains also need attention as food waste buildup can quickly create breeding sites. Regularly pouring boiling water down the drain can help clear residue and reduce activity.
“For any that do appear, a simple natural trap can be made using apple cider vinegar and a few drops of dish soap in a bowl covered with cling film and small holes to attract and trap the flies. Essential oils such as lemon or eucalyptus can also be used around kitchen surfaces to help deter them.”
Mosquitoes
“Mosquitoes become more common in summer as warmer, more humid conditions and standing water create ideal breeding environments,” says Emily. “The most effective way to control them is to remove stagnant water wherever it collects, including plant saucers, birdbaths that are not regularly cleaned, buckets, watering cans, and any outdoor containers left exposed to rain.
“Alongside this, 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.”
Another natural option: mosquito dunks, which use a naturally occurring bacterium that kills mosquito larvae and other types of fly larvae but don’t harm other wildlife and beneficial insects when used properly.
Crane Flies
“Daddy longlegs are commonly seen in late summer and early autumn as they drift indoors, often drawn towards light around windows and doors,” adds Emily. “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. Some also use a light wipe of diluted vinegar on frames, which can help discourage lingering, while sealing gaps around vents, windows and door frames helps prevent entry in the first place.”
Wasps
Wasps are also spotted more frequently during the summer months, as they forage for sugary foods and protein sources.
“They are particularly drawn to uncovered drinks and food left out during warmer afternoons, making prevention an important first step,” says Emily.
“In addition to clearing food, peppermint and clove oil, when diluted in water, can also be placed in small containers around seating areas, as strong scents are known to disrupt foraging behavior.”
Ants
“Ants often enter homes in search of food during warmer months, particularly sugary or greasy residues. For this reason, removing crumbs and cleaning surfaces thoroughly is essential, as even small traces of food can attract trails,” says Emily.
“Natural barriers such as vinegar, lemon juice, or cinnamon can be applied 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 window frames.”
