Bay Leaves

• The dried leaves of the Laurus nobilis L., or Bay laurel tree, are used as a spice known as Bay leaves. These smooth brown or green leaves have a shiny surface and when crushed, emit a strong odor. Bay leaves contain the bitter-tasting ingredient, cineole.
  
  

Ants

• Sprinkle crushed Bay leaves around doorways and windowsills. Ants smell the leaves and head in the opposite direction. Ants seem to love to explore potted plants. Keep ants out of your plants with Bay leaves by pushing some leaves into the soil surrounding the plants.
  
  

Cockroaches

• If you have cockroaches invading your home, place Bay leaves in cracks along the walls of the rooms. Roaches are repelled by the smell of the leaves. A dish of baking soda and powdered sugar also work as a natural roach repellent.
  
  

Moths

• Use Bay leaves to deter moths from feasting on your clothes. Place a few crushed Bay leaves into the center of a piece of linen or other porous material. Tie the ends of the material together to make a sachet and hang it in your closet. If Bay leaves are not available, substitute cinnamon, eucalyptus, lavender or peppercorn. A couple of Bay leaves thrown in with grain also help keep food moths out of your pantry.