How to Use Garlic to Get Rid of Pests - Rats, Flies, Lice, Bugs, Lizards, Mosquitoes, Cockroaches
Garlic is one of nature’s most powerful and versatile ingredients. While it’s most commonly known for its flavor-enhancing qualities in cooking, garlic is also an effective, natural pest repellent. Its strong smell and active compounds can deter a variety of pests, from rats and cockroaches to mosquitoes, flies, and even lice. If you're looking for an eco-friendly way to keep your home pest-free without resorting to harsh chemicals, garlic is a great option.
In this article, we’ll explore how to use garlic to eliminate different types of pests and provide step-by-step instructions on how to make and apply garlic-based solutions.
Why Garlic Works as a Pest Repellent
Garlic contains a compound called allicin, which gives it its strong, pungent smell. Allicin has antimicrobial properties that can disrupt the biological processes of various pests, making it an effective deterrent. The strong odor of garlic also overwhelms the scent receptors of many pests, making them flee from the area. Furthermore, garlic's sulfur compounds are toxic to certain insects, such as mosquitoes and lice, preventing them from thriving in areas where garlic is present.
Now, let's break down how you can use garlic to repel different types of pests, from rodents to bugs, and create your own garlic-based pest-repellent solutions.
How to Use Garlic to Repel Pests: A Step-by-Step Guide
1. Garlic Spray for Flies, Mosquitoes, and Bugs
This all-purpose garlic spray is simple to make and works well against flies, mosquitoes, and other bugs that fly or crawl around your home. It’s an effective and non-toxic solution, perfect for spraying in kitchens, gardens, or any other pest-infested areas.
Ingredients:
- 5-6 cloves of garlic
- 1 liter of water
- 1 teaspoon of liquid soap (optional, helps the spray stick to surfaces)
Instructions:
Crush the Garlic: Peel and crush 5-6 garlic cloves. Crushing releases the allicin, the compound responsible for garlic’s strong smell.
Boil the Water: Bring 1 liter of water to a boil in a saucepan.
Add Garlic: Add the crushed garlic cloves to the boiling water. Let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes to allow the garlic to infuse the water with its strong odor.
Cool the Solution: Once the water has cooled down, strain out the garlic pieces.
Add Liquid Soap (Optional): If you want the spray to stick better to surfaces, add 1 teaspoon of liquid soap to the mixture. This will help the solution cling to surfaces like countertops or window sills.
Transfer to a Spray Bottle: Pour the garlic solution into a spray bottle and shake it well.
Spray the Affected Areas: Spray this solution around doors, windows, and other entry points to keep flies, mosquitoes, and other bugs away. You can also spray it directly on surfaces like countertops and kitchen sinks.
How it works: The strong scent of garlic repels flying insects like mosquitoes and flies, as well as crawling bugs. Reapply the spray as needed, especially after cleaning, as it may wear off over time.
2. Garlic-Infused Oil for Lice and Fleas
Garlic oil is a potent natural remedy for lice and fleas. Its strong odor repels these pests while its active compounds interfere with their biology, making it hard for them to thrive.
Ingredients:
- 4-5 cloves of garlic
- 100 ml of coconut oil or olive oil
Instructions:
