Twinkle Khanna is tired of entertaining late-night guests — whether they are six-legged or two. Taking to Tweak India’s Instagram, the author shared her “desi jugaad that may keep cockroaches and red ants from making your kitchen into their garba ground”. Her trick? Spraying a mixture of bay leaves, cloves and vinegar in the corners of your drawers and cabinets.

Here’s the full recipe:

• Crush 8-10 cloves and 2-3 bay leaves.
• Boil them in one cup of water and one cup of vinegar.
• Strain the liquid.
• Pour it in a spray bottle.

“If only I could spray this on humans, then I wouldn’t have any late-night visitors — not of the six-legged, nor of the two-legged kind,” Khanna further joked.

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Is Twinkle Khanna’s DIY pest spray effective?

Dr Brunda M S, Sr. Consultant – Internal Medicine, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore, says that DIY pest sprays made with common household ingredients may sometimes help repel certain pests because of their smell or other properties. However, they should not be considered a complete solution or a substitute for proper pest control, especially when there is a persistent infestation.

“People should also be careful not to spray any homemade mixture directly on food, cooking utensils or surfaces that come into contact with food unless it is known to be safe,” she tells indianexpress.com.

What helps keep your kitchen clean? (Magnific)

According to Dr Brunda, keeping the kitchen clean is essential because food particles, moisture, grease and waste can attract cockroaches, ants, flies and other pests. She reiterates that dirty surfaces, utensils and sponges can allow harmful germs to multiply and increase the risk of food contamination and stomach infections. Therefore regular cleaning helps keep food preparation areas safe and hygienic.

What else can you do?

For better kitchen hygiene, Dr Brunda recommends the following:

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• Cleaning countertops and cooking surfaces regularly
• Washing dishes properly
• Keeping the sink dry
• Cleaning the refrigerator periodically
• Storing food in closed containers
• Removing garbage daily
• Washing fruits and vegetables before eating
• Avoid leaving food scraps or standing water around,
• Replace dirty sponges and cloths frequently
• Keep drains clean, and seal cracks and gaps where pests can enter

Finally, she also suggests maintaining good ventilation and hand hygiene before and during food preparation.