Fruit fly traps, like the classic dish of vinegar with a drop of dish soap, can catch a few flies, but they’re more of a temporary fix than a solution. Sure, they’ll attract some flies that are hanging around, but they don’t get to the root of the problem: your overripe fruit or accumulated trash. “No matter how much essential oils, insecticides or disinfectants you use, you will continue to see flies until you find out what they are feeding on and get rid of them,” Crumbley says.

Try this instead: “When we hear complaints about fly problems, my first reaction is to ask the customer to check their drains, waste and any wet areas to see if they find maggots,” adds Crumbley. “The key to controlling flies is finding and removing any moist, fermenting organic matter in which they breed.” HAS remove flies or maggots, opt for bleach or another disinfectant for a deeper clean.

Although some essential oils may have mild pest-repelling properties, they are far from a reliable solution. “Essential oils such as cedar or cinnamon oil have some effectiveness if they come into direct contact with the pest. However, these products are very volatile and offer no long-term residual control,” says Christensen. “They are attractive to some because they are derived from plants and have an ‘eco-friendly’ stamp, require no EPA oversight, and often have a pleasant odor. However, their use is very limited and have not been widely adopted.

Try this instead: Put down the essential oil spray bottle and identify the specific pest you are dealing with. Different pests require different approaches. From there, use solutions that are proven to work against that particular pest, whether that’s professional treatments, traps, or preventative measures like sealing cracks and eliminating food sources. Instead of relying on a cure-all like essential oils, focus on targeted methods to get real results.

Ultrasonic pest repellents are marketed as a simple way to drive away pests by emitting high-frequency sound waves believed to disturb rodents, insects and other pests. The problem ? Most pests either don’t hear the frequency or get used to it over time. “Ultrasound is supposed to be perfectly safe, but it is supposed to repel insects, rodents, bats, moles and birds. If they are safe for humans, they are also safe for other animals,” says Christensen.

Try this instead: Sealing entry points is the best defense against rodents. Use steel wool and caulk to block even the smallest cracks. When dealing with insects, focusing on sanitation and moisture control is essential. Keeping food sealed and reducing humidity can help keep insects away.

“This soap has a strong, powerful scent that is pleasant to people, but it is thought to repel mosquitoes and other insects,” Crumbley says. “If it’s true that insects are good at detecting odors and rely on chemical signals in the air column to determine where they should go to find food, water and shelter, you need to However, consider the biology of the pest when using a hack like this.” Crumbley adds that some people will hide soap in potted plants or under doormats, but says that placing repellent in an area where pests aren’t found will have little or no effect on your mosquito problems.

Try this instead: To keep mosquitoes awayfocus on long-term solutions, like eliminating stagnant water where mosquitoes breed: birdbaths, gutters, and potted plants are good places to look. Also use repellents or shields in areas where mosquitoes live. If the infestation becomes too problematic, call a professional. Although a good soap may make you smell fresh, it will not be your defense system against mosquitoes.

Moth balls are designed to kill moths and larvae, but the old wives’ tale that these smelly little balls can also ward off rodents is a myth (and a stinky one at that). Since the amount of naphthalene in mothballs is not potent enough to affect mice, bats, squirrels, or chipmunks, you won’t keep rodents away. Plus, the worst part is that the chemicals can be harmful to humans and pets if inhaled or ingested.

Try this instead: Christensen says when it comes to rodents, focus on eliminating the existing population, which can be done by trapping, sealing cracks and holes in and around your home, or using devices allowing the animal to exit your home, such as escape devices for bats. “Even if a repellent is effective for a short time, it does not eliminate the reasons why pests may have invaded. In other words, the hole that the squirrel was entering is still available for new invaders,” he says.

Electric insect swatters could provide immediate relief: who doesn’t love that satisfying zap? But while they may kill the occasional pest nearby, they don’t solve the larger problem: Other insects are probably hiding nearby, waiting to make your home their new hangout.

Try this instead: Instead of chasing flies and mosquitoes around your home like you’re in a miniature tennis match, focus on prevention. For flies, make sure you don’t leave food out and keep your trash cans sealed. Mosquitoes can be kept at bay by using repellents and eliminating any standing water outside. Bug repellents can be fun, but they are no substitute for effective pest control strategies.

Baking soda is great for cleaning, deodorizing, and even whitening teeth, but it just doesn’t measure up when it comes to killing parasites. Christensen notes that baking soda isn’t effective and, more than anything, it’s a pain to use.

Try this instead: Don’t bother piling baking soda around the legs of your bed to prevent bedbugs (and potentially do damage). Instead, wash all your bedding in hot water, use a steamer on the mattress and bed frame and if the bedbugs persist, use an insecticide and consult a professional. For cockroaches, it is best to use targeted bait traps. These traps contain food mixed with poison, which pests will take back to their colonies or nests. For rats, use traps or bait stations designed specifically for them.

While baking soda may freshen up your refrigerator, it won’t do much against the pests lurking around your home.

Vinegar is often suggested as a natural ant repellent because its strong scent can disrupt an ant’s scent trails. Although you will notice the vinegar working, its effects are only temporary. Ants will find a way around the vinegar, or other ants will simply come back later. Additionally, vinegar will not eliminate the source of the infestation: the colony.

Try this instead: “Instead of searching for something in your kitchen cabinets or looking for a quick fix, take the time to learn about the pest you are dealing with and try to reduce or eliminate the items it needs to survive,” suggests Crumbley. For long-term ant control, you need to target the colony, not just the ants you see. Use bait traps containing a slow-acting poison that the ants will carry back to their nest, eliminating the entire colony.