The Bloomin' Idiot's

INSECT REPELLENTS

ANTS

Use equal parts of vinegar and water to deter ants in the kitchen.  Wipe down countertops, inside cupboards, floors, windowsills ... wherever you see ants.

To keep ants out of a room, sprinkle baby powder where they would enter, such as window sills, doorways, etc.  For some reason, they won't walk through powder.

COCKROACHES

Place cucumber peels wherever you have a cockroach problem.  Apparently, the cucumber has a natural repellent quality.

Place bay leaves in the pantry, cupboards and shelves to deter cockroaches.

Combine 36% borax, 16% flour, 38% cornmeal and 10% confectioner's sugar for a natural roach powder.

Powdered boric acid is an effective cockroach killer. (Keep away from children and pets, however!)

Diatomacious earth (DE) is another natural cockroach killer.  DE will kill a cricket in 10 minutes (I've seen it!).