Flies - Branches of the Elder Bush in the dining-room of a house, will clear the room of flies. There is an odor which the insects detest. - From the book Practical Housekeeping, 1883

The leaves of the common walnut-tree, placed over doors, windows, mantels, or in wreaths or bunches about the house, will drive flies away. - From the book The Hearthstone, 1887

Paint walls or rub over picture frames with laurel-oil. - From the book Practical Housekeeping, 1883

Red Ants - A small bag of sulphur kept in a drawer or cupboard will drive away red ants. - From the book Practical Housekeeping, 1883

Bee Stings - Bee stings may be quickly cured by applying repeatedly a soft paste made of saleratus (Baking Soda) and water. The potash neutralizes the acid poison. - From The Register of Rural Affairs, 1857

Any absorbent will give relief from bee stings, but perhaps nothing is more effectual than lean raw meat. The sting of a bee or wasp may be almost instantly relieved by it. - From the book Practical Housekeeping, 1883

Insect Stings - Are relieved by the application of ammonia, or common table salt, well rubbed in, or a slice of an onion, to the part. -  From the book Practical Housekeeping, 1883

Ants in the Lawn - Ants can be trapped with pieces of coarse sponge sprinkled with sugar. Place the bits of sponge near the ant holes, and visit them several times a day, picking them up quickly and dropping them into a pail of water carried along for the purpose. Persistence in this course for a short time will clear them away. We have seen limewater advised to destroy ants by pouring it in their runways, and also a solution of common washing soda in the same manner, but have had no experience with either of them. - From Vick's Monthly Magazine, 1886

A Homemade Insecticide - A writer in the Deutsche-Zeitung states that he had an opportunity of trying a remedy for destroying green fly and other insects which infest plants. It was not his own discovery, but he found it among other receipts in some provincial paper. The stems and leaves of the tomato are well boiled in hot water, and when the liquor is cold it is syringed over the plants attacked by insects. It destroys black or green fly, caterpillars, etc.; and it leaves behind a peculiar odor which prevents insects from coming again for a time.. He states that he found this remedy more effectual than fumigating, washing, etc. Through neglect a house of camelias had become almost hopelessly infested with black lice, but two syringings with tomato plant decoction thoroughly cleansed them. - From Dr. Chase's Receipt Book, 1888