Flies, cockroaches, mosquitoes, lizards… These intruders sometimes show up unannounced and become a part of our daily lives. Rather than bringing out the heavy artillery of chemicals, why not opt for a solution that’s as natural as it is effective? An unexpected ally is hiding in your kitchen: garlic.
Yes, you read that right. This fragrant little bulb, the star of stews, can also become your secret weapon against invaders. Here’s how to use it to make your home a truly peaceful haven , “without danger to your health or that of your loved ones.”
Why does garlic repel pests?
Garlic’s effectiveness lies in a well-known component: allicin, a sulfur compound with a pungent odor. It severely disrupts the sensory system of insects and rodents. Where we simply smell a strong odor, pests perceive it as a “warning signal.”
The result? Flies, mosquitoes, rats, and lizards flee. By using garlic in targeted preparations, you create a natural olfactory barrier that’s harmless to both humans and pets.
Garlic Spray: The Universal Insect Repellent
For which insects? Flies, cockroaches, mosquitoes, ants…
Ingredients :
- 5 to 6 cloves of garlic
- 1 liter of water
- 1 teaspoon of biodegradable dishwashing liquid
Preparation :
- Crush the garlic cloves and infuse them in water overnight .
- Strain the liquid the next day and add the soap (it helps the solution adhere better to surfaces).
- Pour into a spray bottle and apply to window frames, door bottoms, baseboards or dark areas.
Repeat every two to three days to maintain effectiveness.
Garlic + pepper spray: the shock combination against mosquitoes
Ingredients :
- 5 cloves of garlic
- 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
- 1 liter of water
- A few drops of dishwashing liquid
Use :
This mixture is ideal for highly exposed areas: windowsills, balconies, terraces, etc. It acts as a real natural repellent.
Garlic powder against rodents and cockroaches
Pests in the corners of the kitchen? Sprinkle garlic powder in sensitive areas: behind appliances, near water pipes, around the trash can.
This simple gesture keeps rats and cockroaches away without poison or toxic traps.
Garlic sachets: the discreet barrier against lice and bedbugs
DIY express:
- Crush 2 to 3 cloves of garlic
- Slip them into a small, thin fabric bag or a tied handkerchief
- Hang in closets, drawers or storage boxes
A bit like a lavender sachet , but a “homemade insect repellent” version.
Garlic: a guaranteed repellent against lizards
Although lizards are harmless, they aren’t always welcome in a home. Their weakness? The smell of garlic. Simply place a few crushed cloves in places where you see them regularly: windowsills, wall corners, near light sources.
Bonus: why choose this natural method?
- Safe for human and animal health
- Economical : ingredients already in your cupboards
- Ecological : no chemicals or polluting aerosols
- Versatile : effective against many types of pests
