Get matched with top pest control specialists in Umatilla, OR

Cinnamon's warm scent appeals to many people but not to many bugs. The spice contains eugenol, which also happens to be used in insecticides. While the level of eugenol in cinnamon isn't enough to eliminate bugs on its own, the scent can be strong enough to keep them away. 

You can try sprinkling cinnamon around areas where you've seen insects, such as ants and mosquitos. Remember that you'll have to reapply frequently, especially after periods of rain.

In addition to a dislike of strong smells, such as peppermint, citrus, cinnamon, lavender, and eucalyptus, there are some who believe spiders dislike music or other loud sounds. You can try cranking up your music, and the spiders supposedly don’t care for the vibration, which can help keep them out of your home. Continuous vibrations can throw off their senses and make them look for a food source elsewhere.

Using rat poison in your crawl space can be risky. While it may kill rats, they can die in hard-to-reach places, causing foul odors and attracting other pests. Yikes. Moreover, secondary poisoning can happen to pets if they consume poisoned rats. If you decide to use poison, consult a local exterminator for guidance to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Armadillos have very strong smelling capabilities to track down insects efficiently. But this superpower is actually a double-edged sword because their extreme sense of smell also causes them to be more sensitive and deterred by strong odors. To keep them at bay, you can place small amounts of substances like vinegar, ammonia, and mothballs around your property and near armadillo hotspots.

Although you can technically flood an armadillo out of its hole, it’s important to remember that this can be potentially fatal to the animal. Armadillos sleep between 16 and 18 hours a day, and if you perform this technique while they’re deep in sleep, they may not awake soon enough to save themselves.