Pesticides are highly toxic and detrimental to humans and pets alike. The next time you see a pest in your home, reach for essential oils instead of the can of insect spray. These recipes for homemade insecticides contain absolutely no dangerous chemicals, are highly effective, and as an added bonus, smell wonderful.

Cockroaches: Instead of spraying your kitchen with dangerous chemicals or laying down roach motels in the same cupboards you keep your food in, mix one-half cup of water, two tablespoons of salt, ten drops each of clove, cypress, and peppermint essential oils in a tinted spray bottle, and shake well. Spray in areas frequented by cockroaches. As a double-whammy, soak a few cotton balls with five drops of clove oil and place them in the back of your cupboards, behind the stove, and under the fridge.

Ants: Ants navigate by smell, leaving scent trails that other ants follow, which is why you often see them entering your home in a long line. Peppermint oil is highly effective at blocking the scent trail and killing existing ants. Fill a spray bottle with water and add about fifteen drops of peppermint oil. Spray around the areas where ants seem to frequent, and spray the ants themselves to kill them. If you can find the location where the ants are entering your home, apply some peppermint oil to a cotton swab and draw a line around the entry point to prevent more ants from coming in.

Mosquitoes: DEET, or N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, is the most common ingredient in insect repellant sprays, and it's a nasty chemical that requires a number of safety precautions when using it. Fortunately, there is an alternative to the toxic bug sprays you find in the stores. This concoction of essential oils is highly effective at repelling mosquitoes and other flying insects, it's completely nontoxic, and it smells delicious. In a tinted spray bottle, add four drops each of citronella, lemongrass, rosemary, eucalyptus, and mint essential oils to one-quarter cup of witch hazel. Spray it on your skin and clothes to repel mosquitoes, flies, and other flying pests.

Silverfish: These creepy, silvery creatures love high humidity, sugar, and flour and often take up residence in dusty old books and newspapers. Eucalyptus citriodora essential oil is very effective at eliminating silverfish and preventing further infestation. Mix ten drops of the oil with a cup of water and spray the areas where you see the insect.

When purchasing essential oils, make sure to choose the therapeutic grade oils, which are generally pure and highly concentrated. Quality essential oils are always sold in a tinted glass bottle to prevent deterioration of the chemicals in the oils. Store your essential oil concoctions in a tinted bottle away from sunlight and heat sources.