Bugs in the kitchen? You can try to keep them away with bay leaves, a simple and natural remedy

Laurel (bay leaves) is a plant which is widespread all over the world, and there are different species on various continents. Laurel has also been known of and used in the world for over a thousand years. The primary use of this spice plant, of course, is for flavoring many dishes with its unmistakable scent and flavor. There are also those who burn it like incense, supposedly a natural remedy to reduce anxiety. But the other famous use of the plant is its unique perfume which can repel insects.

As such, bay leaves can become a useful ally in the kitchen - not only as an ingredient, but to keep insects such as ants away. Read on to find out more:

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A 2016 study published in the Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal found that bay leaves are indeed capable of repelling a number of insect species that often infest grain, including flour beetles (or flour weevils, Tribolium castaneum ) and flour moths (or miller moths). The same study reported that some insects are so sensitive to bay leaves that for them, the plant even functions as an insecticide and not just a simple repellent - this was the case, amongst others, for the corn weevil, the wheat weevil and the aforementioned flour weevil. However, these are species that are more commonly found in barns than in homes.

 In our kitchens, in fact, we find moths which have different names (also known as food moths), and their scientific name is Plodia interpunctella. The effectiveness of the bay leaf method against these insects is not proven by scientific studies, and remains mainly anecdotal in nature.

How does the remedy work?

It is simply a matter of leaving bay leaves in areas where there are usually unwanted pests, such as the access points of the house (window sills) for ants, and the shelves of the pantry where flour, pasta, rice, grains are usually stored.

Both fresh and dried leaves can be used, and the latter can also be chopped. Again, one of the ways in which our ancestors exploited bay leaves was by pressing them against the walls of the jars that contained various foodstuffs.

An interesting fact: bay leaves can also work as mosquito repellents, even if they are less effective than other remedies (eucalyptus, basil, anise, etc), but the studies conducted in this regard used the essential oil obtained from the leaves. So, you could also try sprinkling a mixture of water with drops of bay leaf essential oil around the pantry, and take advantage of the plant’s repellent properties - and not only for mosquitoes!