10 Natural Pest Repellents You Probably Already Have at Home | April 25, 2025

If you’re looking to keep pests away without resorting to harsh chemical sprays, you’re in luck—your kitchen and bathroom may already hold powerful, natural solutions. These everyday items are safe, affordable, and surprisingly effective at repelling everything from roaches to mosquitoes.

Here are ten tried-and-true natural pest repellents—and exactly how to use them.

1. Bay Leaves – A Roach Repellent You Can Eat

Cockroaches can’t stand the scent of bay leaves. These fragrant herbs contain eucalyptol, a compound that disrupts their senses and drives them away—no traps or poisons needed.

How to use:

• Crush dried bay leaves into powder and sprinkle inside cabinets, under appliances, and in dark corners.

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• Replace every two weeks for best results.

• Bonus: Place whole bay leaves in your pantry to protect dry goods like rice and flour.

2. Citronella Oil – Your Outdoor Mosquito Shield

Extracted from lemongrass, citronella oil is a classic mosquito deterrent. Its bright, lemony aroma masks the scents mosquitoes use to find us—like sweat and carbon dioxide.

How to use:

• Add a few drops to a diffuser when outdoors.

• Mix with a carrier oil and apply to your skin (patch test first).

• Use citronella candles or grow citronella plants for longer-term protection.

Tip: Reapply oil every couple of hours when outside.

3. Black Pepper – A Barrier Against Mice and Ants

Ants and mice follow scent trails to navigate. Black pepper, rich in piperine, confuses their senses and deters them effectively.

How to use:

• Sprinkle ground black pepper near baseboards, doorways, and under appliances.

• Refresh regularly, especially after cleaning or rain.

4. Peppermint Oil – Nature’s Multi-Pest Fighter

Spiders, ants, and rodents all dislike the strong, refreshing scent of peppermint oil. Bonus: it smells great in your home.

How to use:

• Mix 10 drops of peppermint oil with 1 cup of water and 1 teaspoon of dish soap in a spray bottle.

• Spray along entry points, windowsills, and baseboards.

• Soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them in cabinets or under sinks.

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Keep it fresh: Replace cotton balls weekly.

5. Cucumber Peels – Simple Yet Effective

Cucumbers—especially the bitter varieties—contain compounds that repel cockroaches and ants.

How to use:

• Place fresh cucumber peels near entry points or pest-prone areas.

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• Replace every 1–2 days before they spoil.

Pro tip: Combine cucumber with bay leaves for a powerful roach defense.

6. Vinegar Spray – Disrupt Ant Trails and Kill Gnats

White vinegar erases the scent trails ants follow and kills soft-bodied pests like gnats on contact.

How to use:

• Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle.

• Spray on counters, along ant trails, and near drains.

• Use full-strength vinegar for stubborn infestations.

Caution: Don’t use vinegar on marble or natural stone surfaces.

7. Garlic Spray – Garden-Safe Pest Control

Garlic’s strong odor comes from sulfur compounds that many insects dislike, making it excellent for outdoor use.

How to use:

• Blend 2 garlic bulbs with 2 cups of water, strain, and mix with a gallon of water.

• Spray weekly on plants and around garden borders.

• Bonus: Plant garlic near patios to keep mosquitoes away.

8. Cinnamon – Keep Ants and Silverfish Out

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