The best tricks to tackle household pests

Recently, Antonia Hoyle wrote about this autumn’s influx of wasps, flies, mice and spiders into her home. In response, Spectator readers have been offering their tricks and tips for getting rid of household pests…

• ‘Grow pots of lavender everywhere; hang up dried sheaves, put it in vases. Grow it in pots outside and under windows. You don’t see flies around lavender. Grow basil, mint and rosemary. I put sprigs of rosemary in wardrobes, suitcases when travelling, in bath water and in clothes drawers. Spiders are meant not to like basil in particular so tear up leaves and sprinkle in prime areas. Leave dried basil leaves on windowsills where you don't grow it in pots. Spray lemon oil. Drink mint tea to avoid bites.’
• ‘I used to think mice were an unavoidable fact of country life. No longer. You need to track where they are entering (an infrared camera is useful) and block every hole. They'll still come in through the eaves, so buy some super-strength “Big Cheese” traps and put them around the attic. Forget about humane traps.’
• ‘A 2017 article in the Journal of Economic Entomology published findings that peppermint oil deters spiders. You can buy peppermint spray branded as “spider repellent”, or make your own. Spray it on bathroom entry points.’
• ‘If you want to get rid of mice you can't beat a “Little Nipper” trap baited with peanut butter.’
• ‘We lived in Herefordshire for 25 years, surrounded by farmland. The worst problem was a mass of cluster flies inside for a month or so in September/October. The only remedy we found to work was Ardap spray around the perimeter of each window maybe twice during this period. Lots of dead flies to hoover up but then job done for another year.’
• ‘Get a terrier and all you will find are tails. Leave some spider webs – they build them where the insects come in.’
• ‘We have successfully got rid of wasps’ nests by placing small mounds of ant-killing powder around the nest entrance. Do this last thing at night when the wasps are tucked in; do not block the hole, you need them going in and out with a touch of ant powder on them. After one or two days there will be peace.’
• ‘I first tried removing mice with a “humane killer” trap. Each night the bait was gone, but no corpse. I then bought a catch and release, which you bait with peanut butter. This was incredibly successful. After one night I assumed our problem was now enjoying life in the local churchyard, but I managed to catch five more before the trap stayed empty for a week.’
• ‘We found that spraying a strip of one of the floor-to-ceiling windows in our kitchen with some long-lasting fly spray had an amazing effect this summer. Hundreds were hoovered up every couple of days. It doesn't work for cluster flies, which don't seek the light and just have to be zapped with a fly whisk.’
• ‘We use (cheap) chocolate to bait mouse traps. A good use for leftover Easter eggs.’
• ‘Any vacuum cleaner with a long hose will deal with spiders and webs. A Henry vaccuum is particularly good for this. Spraying vinegar around burglar alarm sensors seems to put them off, and some people swear by conkers.’
• ‘The “Big Cheese” rat traps are very effective at catching mice.’
• ‘My miniature poodle eats all the flies and does incredible acrobatics to catch them in mid-air. I even lift him on to the window sills or hold him up to the ceiling. Far better than spraying Raid around!’