Onions are not just a kitchen essential—they can also be used as a natural pest repellent. Their strong smell and compounds like sulfur and quercetin make them effective against a variety of household pests, including rats, flies, lice, bugs, lizards, mosquitoes, and cockroaches. Here’s how you can use onions to keep these unwanted guests away from your home.
1. Onion to Repel Rats 🐀
Rats hate the strong smell of onions, making them an excellent deterrent.
How to Use:
✔ Cut an onion into slices and place them in areas where rats are often seen (kitchen corners, under sinks, or near holes).
✔ Replace the onion slices every 2 days to maintain their potency.
✔ Be cautious if you have pets—onions are toxic to dogs and cats.
2. Onion Spray for Flies and Mosquitoes 🦟
Onions contain sulfur compounds that flies and mosquitoes cannot tolerate.
How to Use:
✔ Blend 1 onion with 1 cup of water and strain the juice.
✔ Add the juice to a spray bottle and spray around windows, doorways, and areas where flies and mosquitoes gather.
✔ For extra strength, mix a few drops of lemon juice or vinegar into the spray.
3. Onion Rinse for Lice 🦠
Onion juice suffocates and kills lice naturally.
How to Use:
✔ Blend an onion and extract the juice.
✔ Apply the juice to the scalp and leave it for 30 minutes.
✔ Rinse with mild shampoo and repeat twice a week for best results.
4. Onion for Bed Bugs & Other Bugs 🪳
The pungent smell and antibacterial properties of onions help repel bed bugs and other insects.
How to Use:
✔ Mix onion juice with water and spray on bedding, mattresses, and furniture.
✔ Place onion slices near bed corners and cracks where bed bugs hide.
5. Onion to Keep Lizards Away 🦎
Lizards dislike the strong smell of onions, making them an easy deterrent.
How to Use:
✔ Hang onion slices near windows, doors, and walls where lizards usually appear.
✔ Wipe surfaces with onion juice to create an invisible barrier that repels lizards.
6. Onion for Cockroach Control 🪳
Cockroaches cannot stand the smell of onions and avoid areas where they are placed.
How to Use:
✔ Mix onion juice with baking soda and sprinkle it in areas where cockroaches hide.
✔ Leave onion slices in cabinets and under sinks to repel them naturally.
Extra Tips for Using Onions Against Pests
✅ Always replace onion slices every 2-3 days for maximum effectiveness.
✅ Keep onions away from pets, as they can be toxic.
✅ Combine onions with other natural repellents like vinegar, garlic, or citrus for stronger effects.
With these simple onion-based remedies, you can keep your home pest-free without harmful chemicals! Try them and see the difference!