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

Garlic is not just a flavorful kitchen ingredient—it’s also an incredibly effective, natural pest repellent. Thanks to its strong odor and potent compounds, garlic works as a safe, eco-friendly, and cost-effective way to repel a wide range of household pests, including mice, mosquitoes, flies, lice, cockroaches, and lizards.

Using garlic for pest control is chemical-free, making it a perfect alternative for households with children, pets, or allergy-sensitive individuals. Let’s explore the different ways garlic can help keep your home pest-free.

1️⃣ Garlic Spray for Mosquitoes and Cockroaches

Why It Works

Garlic contains sulfur compounds that irritate the sensory receptors of mosquitoes and cockroaches, disrupting their ability to navigate. The strong scent repels them, making your home an unwelcoming environment for these pests.

How to Make Garlic Spray

Ingredients:

3–4 garlic cloves
1 liter of water
A few drops of liquid soap

Preparation:

  1. Crush or finely chop the garlic cloves.
  2. Add them to 1 liter of water and let the mixture sit for 24 hours to allow the garlic to fully infuse.
  3. Strain out the garlic pieces and add a few drops of liquid soap to help the solution stick to surfaces.
  4. Pour into a spray bottle for easy application.

How to Apply:

✅ Spray around window sills, doorways, under sinks, kitchen cabinets, and corners where mosquitoes and cockroaches hide.
✅ Reapply every few days for best results.
✅ Safe to use around pets and children when applied properly.

💡 Bonus Tip: Adding a small amount of vinegar or lemon juice to the spray can enhance its effectiveness against pests.

2️⃣ Garlic Powder for Mice

Why It Works

Mice rely heavily on their sense of smell for navigation, and garlic’s overpowering scent confuses them, making them avoid treated areas.

How to Use Garlic to Repel Mice

Ingredients:

Garlic powder or crushed garlic cloves

Application:

Sprinkle garlic powder in areas where mice have been seen, such as kitchen corners, food storage areas, cracks, and along walls.
✅ Place crushed garlic cloves near entry points and mouse holes.
✅ For a longer-lasting effect, put garlic in small mesh bags and place them around problem areas.

💡 Pro Tip: Mix garlic powder with cayenne pepper for an even stronger mouse deterrent!

3️⃣ Garlic Pouches for Wardrobes & Storage Areas

Why It Works

Garlic’s natural odor repels moths, silverfish, and other insects that can damage clothing and linens in storage areas.

How to Make Garlic Pouches

Ingredients:

3–4 garlic cloves
Small cloth pouches or breathable fabric bags

Preparation & Application:

  1. Lightly crush garlic cloves to release their oils.
  2. Place the crushed garlic inside small fabric pouches and tie them closed.
  3. Hang these inside wardrobes, drawers, or storage boxes to protect clothing from insect damage.
  4. Replace the pouches every 2–3 weeks to maintain effectiveness.

💡 Alternative: For a more subtle scent, mix garlic with dried lavender or bay leaves before placing it in storage areas.


4️⃣ Garlic for Keeping Lizards Away

Why It Works

Lizards dislike the strong smell of garlic and tend to avoid areas where the scent lingers.

How to Use Garlic for Lizard Repellent

Ingredients:

Whole garlic cloves or crushed garlic

Application:

✅ Place whole garlic cloves near doors, windows, and dark corners where lizards enter.
✅ Crush garlic and rub it along entry points and walls where lizards frequently appear.
✅ Hang small garlic bundles in doorways and windows for continuous protection.

💡 Pro Tip: Mix garlic juice with onion juice and spray it in problem areas for extra effectiveness!

5️⃣ Garlic to Repel Flies and Lice

Why It Works

Garlic’s intense odor and antibacterial properties make it highly effective at deterring flies and lice, which thrive in warm, humid environments.

How to Use Garlic for Flies

Ingredients:

Crushed garlic cloves
Mesh bag

Application:

✅ Place crushed garlic cloves inside a mesh bag and hang it near kitchen counters, trash bins, and windows.
✅ Replace the garlic every week for continuous protection.

How to Use Garlic for Lice

Ingredients:

Garlic oil or crushed garlic cloves
Shampoo

Application:

Option 1: Add a few drops of garlic oil to your regular shampoo and use as normal.
Option 2: Make a garlic paste by crushing garlic cloves and mixing with a little water. Apply directly to the scalp, leave for 10–15 minutes, and rinse thoroughly.

💡 Pro Tip: For a stronger lice treatment, mix garlic paste with coconut oil or tea tree oil.

6️⃣ Additional Benefits of Using Garlic for Pest Control

Eco-Friendly & Safe: Garlic is a natural, biodegradable alternative to chemical insecticides, making it safe for the environment and beneficial insects like bees.
Cost-Effective: Readily available and inexpensive, garlic is a budget-friendly pest control option.
Versatile & Multi-Purpose: Effective against insects, rodents, and reptiles, making it a one-stop solution for various household pests.

Final Thoughts: Use Garlic for a Pest-Free Home!

Garlic is a powerful, natural remedy for keeping unwanted pests away without using harmful chemicals. Whether you’re dealing with mice, flies, lice, mosquitoes, cockroaches, or lizards, garlic offers an eco-friendly, safe, and affordable way to protect your home.

🛑 Say goodbye to pests naturally—try garlic today!

🌱 Have you tried using garlic for pest control? Share your experience in the comments!