As a bug deterrent, WD-40 is surprisingly effective when used the right way. Before diving into the rest of the article, WD-40 is not a bug killer. The chemicals in WD-40 are designed for lubrication, not shorting out the nervous system of an insect.
Most insects breathe through their exoskeleton through a series of external openings called spiracles. they don't have lungs like other animals. WD40 will clog those spiracles and they will suffocate, although it might take a while from them to die.
The only bugs that still might be able to get in are flies, but you can say goodbye to ants, spiders, and other pesky insects. If you already have an infestation inside your home, you can still use WD-40 to manage it. Simply spray a coating wherever you see the infestation and in any small cracks or holes nearby.
You can use essential oils to create your own DIY bug spray alternative. Pleasant scents like lavender or eucalyptus are particularly offensive to bugs like mosquitoes and flies. Mix a few drops of essential oil in distilled water or witch hazel. Shake it well in a spray bottle and spritz the air.
There are many different types of plastic, but there are two kinds that you should avoid using WD-40 on—polycarbonate and clear polystyrene plastic. Polycarbonate is a transparent plastic that is commonly used in greenhouses, and polystyrene is typically used for styrofoam and soft drink lids among other items.
Skin Contact: May cause moderate skin irritation with short-term exposure with redness, itching and burning of the skin. Prolonged and/or repeated contact may produce defatting and possible dermatitis. May cause an allergic skin reaction (sensitization). Eye Contact: Contact may be irritating to eyes.
Also, understand that it can be very harmful if swallowed and can aggravate respiratory issues if not used in a well-ventilated area. Furthermore, it can irritate skin, so ignore any advice to use it on your skin to “lubricate” your joints.
Essential Oils
Lemongrass, citrus, peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, citronella, catnip, and lavender oils all possess properties that repel bugs. The oils can be used individually or combined to make a simple anti-bug potion. Mix about 1 cup of water with 25-30 total drops of oil into a small spray bottle.
Make an All-Purpose Insect Repellent
Lemongrass or citronella oil, and 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar. 1 cup isopropyl alcohol, 1 cup water, ½ tsp. catnip oil. 1 cup alcohol or witch hazel and 10-20 drops of essential oils such as lemongrass, peppermint, or lemon eucalyptus.
Although deodorants may be able to help you get rid of some spiders, flies, and ants, they are not recommended for this job. Instead of using deodorants, you should rather go for insecticides which are particularly formulated for the purpose.
WD-40 helps you remove mold, rust, and rancid odors from your refrigerator.
WD-40 stands for Water Displacement, 40th formula. That's the name straight out of the lab book used by the chemist who developed the product. The first company to use WD-40 Multi-Use Product commercially was Convair, an aerospace contractor, to protect the outer skin of the Atlas Missile from rust and corrosion.
Some of the top uses for WD-40 around your home and garden include: Removes glue residue from old panelling. Helps lubricate gate valve on a house. Helps remove paint from tile flooring.
Acetic acid makes vinegar an excellent tool for pest control, repelling some of the most common backyard nuisances and even killing weaker insects. It's most effective against ants, spiders, and mosquitos. You can keep spiders from entering your home by spraying vinegar around your property's perimeter and entryways.
One of the easiest homemade bug sprays, simply mix one cup of white vinegar, at Walmart, with three cups of water.
Acidity of the vinegar is potent enough to kill many pests. Vinegar is often used as a contact type insecticide, which means that you need to spray it directly onto the spotted bug to make it effective. Vinegar is basically an aqueous solution composed of water and acetic acid.
Peppermint. Peppermint essential oil might just be the holy grail of natural pest repellents to leave around your home's entry points, as it can help keep away ticks, spiders, roaches, moths, flies, fleas, beetles, and ants. Use sachets of this oil near your doors and windows or try making a diffuser or spray.
In addition to being a great cleaning agent, vinegar is effective in deterring many types of pests. Ants despise the smell of vinegar, and vinegar will wipe out the scent trails they leave around the house to navigate.
Yellowish, pinkish, or orange (sodium vapor, halogen, dichroic yellow) are the least attractive to most insects.
Salt kills pests by dehydrating them, and there are two ways it causes dehydration in pests. Pests with exoskeletons, like fleas or beetles, typically die when the coarse edges of salt grains scratch their exoskeleton.
WD-40 was invented in San Diego in 1953 as a rust-prevention solvent for Atlas missile outer skins. A chemist at the Rocket Chemical Company created a compound that would prevent rust and corrosion on the Atlas.
Protects against rust and corrosion on items like tools. Loosens rusted/stuck plumbing joints. Loosens rusted bolts. Lubricates and protects power tools.
WD-40 does not contain silicone, kerosene, water, wax, graphite, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), or any known cancer-causing agents. What is the shelf-life of WD-40? Indefinite. While some products may have an expiration date, WD-40 lasts so long that a "use by" date isn't necessary.