If you’re tired of battling moths, mosquitoes, ants, spiders, silverfish, and flies—but don’t want to spray harsh chemicals around your home—try this old-fashioned, all-natural trick: herbal potpourri.

For centuries, people have relied on the power of pungent herbs to keep pests out of their homes and storage spaces. These herbs don’t just smell amazing—they’re also inexpensive, non-toxic, and surprisingly effective at sending bugs packing.

Here’s how to make your own:

1. Gather your herbs.
   Dried rosemary, thyme, lavender buds, cedar chips, lemongrass, peppermint, and tansy all work beautifully. You can use one or mix and match your favorites.
2. Create your potpourri.
   Fill small bowls or muslin bags with your herbal blend. Then, place them wherever bugs tend to sneak in—food pantries, under beds, beneath sinks, in closets and drawers, near windows, or close to heating and cooling vents.

3. Boost the power with essential oils.

Add a drop or two of essential oil—cedar, peppermint, rosemary, citronella, or lemongrass—to each bowl or bag. It will enhance the scent and strengthen the bug-repelling effect.

While herbs help keep insects at bay, a clean, dry home is just as important. Remember, bugs love six things more than anything else:

• Standing water or moisture
• Warmth
• Exposed food
• Sticky countertops and floors
• Rotten or damp wood
• The scent of sweat and carbon dioxide from human breath

By keeping your home clean, dry, and well-maintained—and sprinkling a few bowls of herbal potpourri around—you’ll have a space that’s fresh, fragrant, and delightfully bug-free.