What Can I Spray on Screens To Keep Bugs Away?

Bugs are the most frequent and irritating invaders in our homes. They seek shelter in the warmth and indoor environment of our houses. Unfortunately, homeowners can’t make places less attractive for them, but a few things can be done to repel them.

Major entrances of insects and bugs are from windows and door sills. There are multiple successful ways these little monsters can be kept away from our screens.

The most effective and popular technique to keep bugs away is to spray the windows and screens with natural or store-bought insect repellants. After making sure there are no damaged corners, and the seals are proper, the following remedies can be adapted to keep bugs away. 

Remedies and Repellants To Keep Bugs Away

For centuries home-based and natural remedies have been used for repelling insects, including strongly scented natural and essential oils, herbs like cinnamon and thyme, and other ways.

There are a few methods listed below:

Essential Oils

Essential oils can act as repelling agents provided by nature. Scents of specific essential oils keep bugs away as they hate these scents. Different essential oils like peppermint oil, thyme essential oil, pine oil, eucalyptus oil, citrus, and pine oil can be used for this purpose.

Citronella oil can also perform this task effectively if sprayed on the screens. Different bugs, however, are repelled by different scents, thus making natural oils insect or bug specific.

Essential oils can be used by mixing a small amount of essential oil in a cup of water and creating a spray. However, they can also be applied directly to the screens using paper towels.

But be aware that babies and pets touching such screens as essential oils can also be toxic. 

In addition to these oils, dried herbs or spices can also be used for this purpose. When mixed in some solvent, they can be sprayed on the screens to keep insects away from the houses.

Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper spray is one of the oldest remedies to keep bugs and flies away. It is specifically a fly repellent, but it deters many other insects too. To make the cayenne pepper spray:

1. Take warm water in a spray bottle.
2. Add powdered or grounded cayenne pepper to it.
3. Mix it well, and the spray is ready.

However, be careful while spraying this mist and avoid any possible contact with the eyes (wash immediately with water in case of contact).

White Vinegar

All kinds of vinegar can act as an insect repellant, including Apple cider vinegar, but the best is white vinegar. Due to its strong smell, white vinegar makes the best insect repellent.

It can also be a pesticide as it kills bugs due to its chemical makeup. A 50/50 water and vinegar solution can be sprayed on the screens to deter bugs.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is the most hated product by bugs and flies. It has a strong repelling smell and a few toxic components that keep bugs away. There is a variety of ways to use it on screens.

Cinnamon powder can be sprinkled on the window sills, or cinnamon oil can be sprayed and mixed with water or some other solvent on the screen.

Even cinnamon sticks could be hung around the screens, which will diffuse a strong, naturally repelling smell.

Store-Bought Insect Repellants

Different companies in the market have products designed to repel insects and tiny creatures. Some insect-repelling sprays are made of chemicals that contain toxins to kill bugs or repel them. They have strong odors, which also help in fulfilling the purpose.

These products can be found at superstores in cleaning or household sections in different categories.

Different products can be effective, but products with Picaridin, DEET and IR3535 are highly recommended. Also, products with strong scents, particularly insect-repelling essential oils like lemon eucalyptus oil, should be preferred.

Dishwashing Liquids and Detergents As Insect Repellants

Cleaning agents like dishwashing liquids can also be sprayed on screens when mixed with water. These detergents engulf the membrane of cells these insects have and are smothered to death.

A smooth layer of soap also disrupts them from entering the houses. Their strong odor also repels the bugs. This way, dishwashers and detergent sprays can act as an insecticide and insect repellants for our homes.

In addition to spraying these chemicals and homemade sprays, screen sills must be properly sealed because the vacuum of the cracks or broken seals would remain untouched by sprays and hence would not harm insects.

Conclusion

There are precautions and insect traps that keep bugs under control inside the houses. However, different methods can be adopted to stop these bugs from entering the house in the first place.

Both insect repellents made at home from natural products and store-bought repellents can be used to keep these buys away.

Strong scents and toxic components in these products make them insect repellents and useful. All listed products can be sprayed on the screens, and they keep bugs away from the houses.