Keep Lizards and Cockroaches Out: Natural Ingredients to Add to Your Mop Water
Keep Lizards and Cockroaches Out: Natural Ingredients to Add to Your Mop Water
Unwanted guests like cockroaches and lizards can make even the cleanest home feel unhygienic. They tend to slip into kitchens, bathrooms, and corners, leaving residents frustrated. While chemical sprays and pest control services are widely available, they often raise concerns about health, pets, and the environment.
Fortunately, simple household ingredients can work as safe, natural, and affordable alternatives. By adding these to mop water or using them as sprays, you can keep pests at bay without relying on harsh chemicals.
Camphor and Clove Oil
The strong aroma of camphor and clove oil is highly disliked by pests. Crush 5–6 pieces of camphor, dissolve them in water, and add a few drops of clove oil. Use this as a mopping solution for a cleaner floor and a fresh fragrance. Whole cloves or clove powder can also be placed in corners and cupboards to block pest entry.
Onion and Garlic Juice
Both onion and garlic are natural repellents. Blend or juice them, mix with water, and add the liquid to your mop bucket or spray bottle. The pungent smell drives pests away. You can also place raw slices near entry points to keep bugs from sneaking in.
Vinegar and Baking Soda
Equal parts of white vinegar and baking soda not only clean effectively but also act as deterrents. Mix them in mop water to repel cockroaches and lizards while leaving floors spotless.
Salt and Lemon Juice
A combination of salt and lemon juice is another easy solution. Add 4–5 tablespoons of salt and the juice of two lemons to a bucket of water. Use it for mopping or spray it along walls, under furniture, and in corners to chase pests out of hiding.
Bay Leaves
Crushed bay leaves are particularly effective against cockroaches. Sprinkle the powder in drawers, under sinks, or inside cabinets. The scent is unpleasant to roaches but harmless to humans.
Peppermint Oil
Mix 10–15 drops of peppermint oil in water, store it in a spray bottle, and apply it around windows, door frames, and under sinks. The fresh scent uplifts the home while keeping pests away.
Coffee and Tobacco Trap
For lizards, mix coffee powder and crushed tobacco into small balls and place them near common spots. This method is effective but should be avoided if pets are around, as it can be toxic if ingested.
Note of Caution
These remedies are based on traditional household practices, and results may vary depending on infestation levels. Always test solutions on delicate surfaces before use. For severe pest problems, professional help is recommended.
