• Natural remedies can deter dozens of insect species.fight of insects image by Eugene Tokarev from Fotolia.com
  
  Whether insects are inside or outside of your home, they can be a major nuisance. Ants and termites tunnel their way through the wood in your home and may eventually cause structural damage, flies and mosquitoes can transmit illness, and other pests can destroy your plants and trees. You can call an exterminator or purchase dangerous pesticides to get rid of insects, or just try some free home remedies that can rid your home of insects naturally.
  
  

Cucumber

• Planet Natural suggests using cucumbers to deter ants and other small insects. Most ants do not like cucumbers because the peels can be bitter, so choose a bitter variety whenever possible. Bitter cucumbers are produced when the cucumber plant is under stress from high temperatures or low moisture. If you are growing your own cucumbers in a garden, you can cultivate a more bitter variety for use in pest control. You also can try using the plant foliage, which can be bitter, as well. Spread cucumber peels or plant leaves wherever ants enter your home or the garden area.
  
  

Vinegar

• Vinegar is a natural solution for many insect pests. Mix one tablespoon of vinegar with one cup of water and spray the solution on garden plants to keep insects away from your fruits and vegetables. Apple cider vinegar can help you trap flies or fruit flies inside the home. Pour two to three tablespoons of vinegar into an old wine bottle or container with a lid, and create a small space that allows the insects to fly inside once the smell of the vinegar attracts them. Seal the top to trap the insects inside, and either let them die or release them outdoors.
  
  

Natural Insecticide

• Insecticidal soap or insecticides can remove insects like aphids as well as many other pests from your garden and indoor plants. Commercial insecticides can be expensive and unhealthy. According to the Oregon State University Extension Service, you can make a natural insecticidal soap from household ingredients. Combine one teaspoon of vegetable oil with one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid and a cup of water. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and coat the entire surface of the plant. Wash the solution off after several hours and repeat the process every other day until the infestation has been eliminated.