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Some of the smells we love are, thankfully, pretty putrid for mosquitoes. A few essential oils that might have them swarming in the other direction include:

• Lavender

• Citronella

• Eucalyptus

• Cinnamon

• Thyme

Be careful how and where you apply essential oils around pets and children, and top them off regularly so they stay effective.

Having bugs in our houses is quite normal. However, if you notice a sudden uptick in quantity, there's often a reason behind it. Seasonal weather changes, particularly warm to cool, drive bugs indoors as they look for comfort. Structural damage to your home can open up new ways for them to get in, and a new water leak somewhere in the house can invite them to get comfortable.

Yes, rats will go near a sleeping human, especially if there is food or crumbs nearby. What’s worse, they may even bite humans while they are asleep. Common places for bites are exposed fingers, toes, hands, and faces. To minimize the risk of rats approaching you and your family members while they’re asleep, do not eat or leave accessible food packages in the bedroom.

Pantry bugs are rarely able to get into sealed packages, but they may try. If you find pests on or around a sealed food item, check inside to make sure the food is still clean. Not sure whether a package is contaminated? Spread the contents onto a cookie sheet and use a flashlight to look for pests.