I am so tired of flies and other winged intruders invading my home and patio in the summer. From the moment I fling open the windows to let in some fresh air, it becomes a constant battle to shoo them away or flatten them with (my weapon of choice) an oven mitt. Once they’ve made it inside, they never want to leave. Happily, I’ve found a cheap, easy repellent that seems to be keeping them at bay – and it all starts with a cotton ball.

If you’re anything like me, you’ll prefer using natural pest control solutions over harsh chemicals. With a toddler and an elderly cat in the household, I don’t want to take the risk. A trusted friend told me about this clever cotton ball trick a few weeks ago, and I’ve been using it ever since. The idea is simple: by soaking cotton balls in certain essential oils and placing them near entry points like windows and doors, you can naturally repel insects and infuse your home with a spa-like scent. It’s one of the easiest DIY pest control tricks I’ve come across – and it works surprisingly well.

However, when using essential oils as an insect repellent, not just any scent will do, as they all have different properties. While insects hate many strong scents like peppermint, citronella, lavender, lemongrass, and clove, sweeter aromas like rose oil can attract them. My essential oil combo of choice is lavender and peppermint, but below I share a few other blends to try.