My mother-in-law invented an amazing solution. No mosquitoes, ants or ticks are allowed in her house in the summer.

Summer weather brings heat, sun and swimming, but it also brings pesky insects. They annoy us on nature walks, in the garden at barbecues and even fly into our homes. And every year we get rid of them as efficiently as possible.

We can spray our homes with chemical repellents, but there’s plenty of chemistry all around us. If you have small children or pets at home, you might prefer natural repellents. There are plenty of them, and you can easily find out which one to use if you’re bothered by ants, mosquitoes or even tiny flies.

Spiders, fleas and ticks hate the aroma of peppermint.

Plant it in pots in your windows or garden. Make great syrups from its leaves, or rub it on your skin before you head out. Add oils from mint or lavender to your favourite body lotion.

Mosquitoes are repelled by both lemon and B.

Mosquitoes hate the smell of lemons, eucalyptus, calendula, lavender or geranium. Grow plants outside your windows or on your porch and mosquitoes are guaranteed to stay away.

Vitamin B controls mosquitoes. Take it over the summer and your body will secrete sweat that will reliably deter mosquitoes. Sweat, enhanced by eating garlic, will do the same. If that’s the case, it’s likely your loved ones will be repelled too.

Place a bowl of water in the corner of the room with a camphor tablet. Mosquitoes hate its smell too. They will avoid your home and you will no longer be bothered by the annoying squeaking sound when you fall asleep.

Fight back with your own spray.

Boil two cinnamon sticks in half a litre of water and leave to cool. Then add one tablespoon of dish detergent and the juice of half a lemon. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and shake well. Spray it around windows and doors where insects most often get to you and on furniture. Spray it on plants too, so they stop attracting unwanted intruders.