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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.

Carpet beetles do not bite humans, but their larvae can cause skin irritation that’s often mistaken for bites. These tiny, bristly larvae have barbed hairs that can lead to allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, resulting in red, itchy welts or rashes. While the irritation may resemble bug bites, it’s actually a response to contact with the hairs or shed skins, not an actual bite. Adult carpet beetles are harmless and primarily feed on pollen, but their larvae can damage natural fibers like wool, fur, or leather in carpets, clothing, and upholstery.

Roaches have a strong sense of smell and are repelled by a variety of potent aromas. Scents that can help deter them include citrus (such as lemon and orange), herbs like peppermint, mint, basil, thyme, and oregano, spices like bay leaves, cinnamon, clove, and garlic, as well as lavender, eucalyptus, citronella, tea tree oil, and vinegar.

You can use these scents in several ways to create an unwelcoming environment for roaches:

• Plants: Place mint or lavender plants in your home or garden.

• Powders and Leaves: Sprinkle garlic powder or place crushed bay leaves and citrus peels in high-risk areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and entry points.

• Sprays: Create a diluted solution with scents like lemon or vinegar to spray in your home. These can also be used in cleaning products or as room fresheners.

• Essential Oils: While essential oils of these scents can be used, be cautious as they can be toxic to pets if inhaled.

It is important to note that while these smells can help keep roaches away, they typically do not kill them and may not be enough to drive out an existing infestation entirely. For best results, combine these scent-based deterrents with regular cleaning. Be sure to clean up all food spills, crumbs, and dirty dishes promptly, and keep trash cans covered with a tight-fitting lid to remove potential food sources.

You can use a homemade spray to kill fleas on a mattress. To make the spray, combine equal parts water and distilled white vinegar. Spray the mixture on the fleas and all over the mattress. Follow this up with a generous sprinkle of salt all over the mattress, and let it sit overnight. Finally, vacuum the mattress to clean up the salt, dead fleas, and flea offspring.