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The most effective natural roach repellent is Borax with its key ingredient of boric acid and diatomaceous earth. But some homeowners may not feel like these are “natural” enough, especially since you can’t use Borax around curious pets or toddlers.

On the other hand, studies have shown that oregano oil mixtures have some of the best repellent effects, and other research indicates that catnip oil, peppermint oil, and citrus oils have notable effects on keeping roaches away. Rosemary oil has been shown to be the most effective natural oil for killing cockroaches outright.

There is no exact science here, due to the nature of nests and how mice raise their young, but a good place to start is to inspect the droppings. A single mouse poops a lot, leaving around 50 droppings in a single day, likely near a primary food source. If you find only sporadic droppings, you likely have a small infestation. If you spot large mounds of droppings, you are dealing with a big problem.

While there are many sweet, ripe, or fermented items that attract fruit flies, the clear winner is apple cider vinegar. The liquid is sweet, potent, and fermented, making it the perfect bait for luring fruit flies into your trap.

Fruit flies are more common during warm-weather months and may go away on their own in late fall once temperatures drop. However, they can survive year-round indoors as long as there's food available, so you'll likely want to take a proactive approach to get rid of them and stop the spread of bacteria.