How2 Beat those Pest:

Mice (new): Peppermint oil is a natural deterrent.You can get peppermint oil in most health food stores and even some major grocery stores, but get the oil, not the diluted extract. The smell is simply too intense for rodents and they will not try to go near it. It also helps to mask the scent of any tasty morsels that have been missed when cleaning.  Place a drop or two on a cotton ball. Place the cotton balls in areas where mice are likely to enter your house, by doorways or heat vents, etc.You can also

grow peppermint plants near the entryways. You can use the mint in cooking as well as it serving a deterrent purpose.

Mosquitoes: Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.

Squirrels: To keep squirrels from eating your plants sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it.

Fruit Flies: To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass fill it 1/2' with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dish washing liquid, mix well. You will find those flies drawn to the cup and gone forever!

Ants: Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it 'home,' can't digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works & you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!

Bed Bugs (new): Place a dryer sheet in your luggage. It will keep the mosquitoes bed bugs out.

reposted from 8-24-08