For Bugs in the Ear

If a bug or other small insect gets in the ear and causes severe pain, pour a little melted butter in the ear and there will be instant relief.

Source: Fowler’s Household Helps, A.L. Fowler

To Prevent Bedbugs From Remaining Either in the House or Bedstead

Take two tablespoons of lard and one ounce of quicksilver; beat the white of an egg then stir them all together. With a small brush or stick put this mixture in every crack or crevice where vermin can hide; do this after cleaning house and you will never be troubled with vermin. If you have them already, use corrosive sublimate first. Take off your rings while applying this preparation as it injures gold.

Source: 76: A Cook Book

Death to Insects

Two pounds of alum dissolved in three or four quarts of boiling water and applied to all cracks and crevices, will keep out ants, roaches, spiders, bedbugs, etc., etc.

Source: 76: A Cook Book

To Destroy Insects and Vermin

Dissolve two pounds of alum in three or four quarts of water. Let it remain over night till all the alum is dissolved. Then with a brush, apply boiling hot to every joint or crevice in the closet or shelves where croton bugs, ants, cockroaches, etc., intrude; also to the joints and crevices of bedsteads, as bed bugs dislike it as much as croton bugs, roaches, or ants. Brush all the cracks in the floor and mop-boards. Keep it boiling hot while using.

Source: The White House Cookbook, F.L. Gillette

To Destroy and Prevent Bed Bugs

Take two ounces of lard, and one ounce of quicksilver, mix well, and apply with a soft brush or feather where the pests frequent. Apply once a year.

Source: The Kansas Home Cook-Book

To destroy Fleas and Bugs

Cover the floor of the room with leaves of Alder, gathered while the dews hangs upon them; adhering to these, they are killed thereby.

Or powder stavesacre, and sprinkle it on the body, or on the bed.

Source: Primitive Physic: or an easy and natural method of curing most diseases, John Wesley.