How to Use Garlic to Get Rid of Pests: Mice, Flies, Lice, Cockroaches, Lizards, Mosquitoes, and Kitchen Cockroaches

Garlic is not just a flavorful addition to your meals—it's also a powerful natural pest repellent. Throughout history, garlic has been used for various purposes, from medicinal applications to warding off pests. Its strong odor, rich in sulfur compounds like allicin, is a deterrent to many types of unwanted creatures. If you're tired of dealing with pests such as mice, flies, lice, cockroaches, lizards, mosquitoes, and kitchen cockroaches, garlic could be the solution you’ve been searching for.

In this article, we will guide you through how to use garlic to get rid of these common pests with easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions.

1. Garlic for Mice

Mice are notorious for invading homes, particularly in colder months. They dislike the strong smell of garlic, which acts as a deterrent. Here's how you can use garlic to get rid of mice:

Materials Needed:

  • 2-3 cloves of garlic

  • A small piece of cheesecloth or an old stocking

  • String or a rubber band

Method:

  1. Peel and Crush Garlic: Take 2-3 garlic cloves and peel them. Crush the cloves slightly to release their juices.

  2. Create Garlic Pouches: Place the crushed garlic into a small piece of cheesecloth or a stocking. Tie it with a string or rubber band.

  3. Place in Problem Areas: Hang these garlic pouches in areas where mice are frequently spotted or where they may enter your home, such as near entryways, holes, or in basements and attics.

  4. Repeat Regularly: Replace the garlic pouches every 3-4 days or when the smell starts to fade.

The pungent aroma of garlic will make your home less appealing to mice, and they will look for a more pleasant place to nest.

2. Garlic for Flies

Garlic can help repel flies, especially the buzzing nuisances in the warmer months. The strong odor disrupts their natural behavior and keeps them at bay.

Materials Needed:

  • 2-3 garlic cloves

  • Water (1 liter)

  • A spray bottle

Method:

  1. Prepare Garlic Solution: Peel and crush 2-3 garlic cloves. Add them to a liter of water.

  2. Let it Infuse: Let the garlic infuse into the water for about 1-2 hours.

  3. Strain the Solution: After it has infused, strain the solution to remove the garlic pieces.

  4. Spray Around Your Home: Pour the solution into a spray bottle. Spray it in areas where flies are often seen, such as near trash bins, windowsills, or around doors.

  5. Reapply as Needed: Reapply every 2-3 days or after cleaning to maintain the repellent effect.

Flies will avoid areas that have been treated with garlic, and over time, they will stop buzzing around your home.

3. Garlic for Lice

Lice are tiny parasites that infest the scalp and body. The pungent smell of garlic can help deter lice and may even kill them.

Materials Needed:

  • 5-6 garlic cloves

  • Olive oil (2-3 tablespoons)

  • A towel

  • A shower cap or plastic wrap

Method:

  1. Crush and Mix Garlic: Crush 5-6 garlic cloves and mix them with 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil to form a thick paste.

  2. Apply to Hair or Scalp: Gently massage the garlic paste into the scalp and hair, ensuring the mixture covers the roots where lice are most likely to be found.

  3. Wrap Hair: Cover your hair with a towel or use a shower cap to seal in the mixture.

  4. Leave for 30-40 Minutes: Let the garlic paste sit on your scalp for 30-40 minutes to allow its strong compounds to penetrate.

  5. Rinse and Comb: After the waiting period, rinse out the garlic paste with lukewarm water and shampoo thoroughly. Use a lice comb to remove dead lice and nits.

Garlic’s natural sulfur compounds will suffocate and repel lice, helping to control an infestation effectively.

4. Garlic for Cockroaches (General and Kitchen Cockroaches)

Cockroaches are some of the most persistent pests, especially in kitchens. Garlic is an excellent, non-toxic way to repel these nocturnal creatures.

Materials Needed:

  • 5-6 garlic cloves

  • 1 cup of water

  • A spray bottle

Method:

  1. Crush Garlic: Crush 5-6 garlic cloves and place them in a cup of water.

  2. Infuse and Strain: Allow the garlic to infuse in the water for about 1-2 hours, then strain the solution.

  3. Fill a Spray Bottle: Pour the garlic-infused water into a spray bottle.

  4. Spray in Infested Areas: Spray this solution in areas where cockroaches are seen, such as kitchen counters, cracks in the walls, and under sinks.

  5. Reapply as Needed: Cockroaches will avoid areas treated with garlic, but you'll need to reapply the solution every 2-3 days.

This method not only helps to drive cockroaches away but also helps keep your kitchen fresh without using harsh chemicals.

5. Garlic for Mosquitoes

Garlic is a great way to keep mosquitoes at bay, especially during the warmer months when they are most active.

Materials Needed:

  • 2-3 garlic cloves

  • 1-2 cups of water

  • A spray bottle

Method:

  1. Crush and Soak Garlic: Crush 2-3 garlic cloves and soak them in 1-2 cups of water for several hours.

  2. Strain and Bottle: Strain the garlic pieces out and pour the infused water into a spray bottle.

  3. Apply to Skin and Surroundings: Spray the solution onto your exposed skin or around the perimeter of your home, especially in areas where mosquitoes are prevalent.

  4. Reapply as Needed: Reapply the spray every few hours or after it rains to keep mosquitoes away.

Garlic’s strong scent helps deter mosquitoes, making it an effective natural repellent.

6. Garlic for Lizards

Lizards can become a nuisance, especially if they are common in your area. Garlic’s scent can discourage them from entering your home.

Materials Needed:

  • 5-6 garlic cloves

  • 1-2 cups of water

  • A spray bottle

Method:

  1. Prepare Garlic Solution: Crush 5-6 garlic cloves and place them in a cup of water.

  2. Let It Infuse: Allow the garlic to infuse for 1-2 hours, then strain it.

  3. Spray in Lizard-Prone Areas: Pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray it in areas where lizards are frequently seen, such as near windows, doors, or in the corners of rooms.

  4. Reapply Regularly: Reapply every few days to keep lizards away from your living spaces.

Lizards dislike the smell of garlic and will avoid areas where it’s been sprayed.

Final Tips for Using Garlic as a Pest Repellent

  • Effectiveness: The effectiveness of garlic as a pest repellent varies depending on the type of pest and the level of infestation. It may take some time to see noticeable results, so be patient and consistent with your applications.

  • Alternative Applications: In addition to garlic-infused sprays, you can also place garlic cloves whole in areas where pests are seen, such as behind furniture, in cupboards, or near cracks and entry points.

  • Precautions: Always keep garlic out of reach of children and pets, especially when using it in concentrated forms, as its strong smell can be overpowering.

By harnessing the natural power of garlic, you can create a pest-free environment in your home without resorting to harsh chemicals or traps. Whether you're dealing with mice, flies, lice, cockroaches, lizards, or mosquitoes, garlic is a simple, safe, and cost-effective solution to keep unwanted creatures at bay.