What you need:
– Fresh garlic cloves
– Cloth bags or small containers
Procedure:
Crush several cloves of garlic so that they release their aroma as much as possible.
Place them in small cloth bags or open containers.
Distribute these bags near cracks in the walls, dark corners, holes, and other areas where you have noticed the presence of rats.
Trick: Renew the contents every 3 to 5 days to maintain their effectiveness. You can also add a few drops of peppermint oil to the bag to enhance the repellent effect.
2. Garlic Spray for Corners and Corners
Ingredients:
– 5 to 6 garlic cloves, crushed
– 1 cup of water
– Dish soap
Preparation and use:
Boil the crushed garlic in a cup of water for 10 minutes.
Let cool, strain and pour the liquid into a spray bottle. I added a few drops of dish soap to make the liquid adhere better to the surfaces.
Spray the mixture on baseboards, door and window frames, corners, and anywhere rats can enter.
Advice: If the smell is too strong for your liking, you can prepare the spray and use it only at night, ventilating during the day.
3. Garlic powder for difficult areas
What you need:
– Garlic powder
– Black pepper or cayenne pepper (optional)
Use:
Sprinkle garlic powder directly into corners where rats often pass or where you suspect they hide.
If you want to reinforce the effect, mix it with black or cayenne pepper.
Trick: This method is ideal for places where liquid cannot be sprayed, such as behind appliances or in cracks in the floor.
4. Mixes with other natural repellents
Garlic can be combined with white vinegar, peppermint essential oil, or eucalyptus to enhance its effect. A good option is to prepare small capsules with crushed garlic and a few drops of peppermint oil, placing them in open jars in strategic places in the home.
Bonus Tip: Alternate ingredients each week to prevent pests from getting used to the smell.
How to Use Garlic Against Household Insects
In addition to rats, garlic is a great ally for repelling common insects such as ants, mosquitoes, and spiders. Here are some effective methods:
1. Garlic spray for insects:
Use the same preparation of garlic spray (garlic boiled with water), but this time I added a few drops of vegetable or dishwasher oil to make it adhere better to surfaces such as walls, floors or window frames.
Spray at entry points, baseboards and corners.
Trick: For maximum effectiveness, apply it at night before sleeping.
2. Garlic cloves placed in key areas:
Crush garlic cloves and place them in small containers near windows, doors, under the sink, or where you’ve noticed insect activity.
Advice: Renew the garlic cloves every 3 or 4 days to maintain their effect.
3. Garlic cleansing water:
When cleaning your kitchen or bathroom, add a few crushed garlic cloves to the bucket of water. This simple trick scares away insects without affecting people or pets.
Trick: Let the garlic sit for a few minutes in the water before starting the cleanse so that it releases its active compounds well.
4. Planting garlic in the garden:
If you have a garden or orchard, planting garlic around the perimeter helps keep away not only insects, but also other pests that damage plants.
Advice: Plant garlic near vulnerable crops like tomatoes or lettuce to protect them naturally.
Try different combinations until you find the most effective one for your case and always keep cleanliness and order as a preventive basis!
