Tired of being constantly bothered by flies, mosquitoes, and the occasional cockroach buzzing or crawling through your home? You’re not alone. These tiny pests can turn a peaceful night into an annoying, itchy ordeal and bring unwanted stress as well as potential health concerns due to the diseases they sometimes carry.

While store-bought sprays and traps are common solutions, they often contain harsh chemicals that can be harmful to your family, pets, or the environment. But what if there was a safer, natural way to handle the problem using ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen? The good news is, there is. By using a few simple household items and natural herbs, you can create powerful homemade repellents that are not only easy to prepare but also highly effective in keeping flies, mosquitoes, and cockroaches at bay. Let’s walk through three simple yet potent remedies that can help reclaim your home from these uninvited guests.

First up is a mosquito trap. You’ll need five tablespoons of sugar, one cup of hot water, some yeast, and a plastic 2-liter bottle. Start by dissolving the sugar in the hot water and then stir in the yeast. Next, take the plastic bottle and cut off the top third. Pour the sugar-yeast mixture into the bottom part of the bottle, then take the cut-off top, turn it upside down, and place it back inside the bottom half like a funnel. This design allows mosquitoes to enter the trap but makes it difficult for them to escape. Place this trap in areas where you notice a lot of mosquito activity—such as near windows, doorways, or patios—and let it do its job. This method works because the mixture emits carbon dioxide, which attracts mosquitoes, trapping them inside the bottle.

Next, for those dealing with flies and cockroaches, you can make a powerful herbal spray using just a handful of natural ingredients. Boil 15 bay leaves and 10 cloves in one cup of water for about 10 minutes. Let the mixture cool completely, then strain it and pour the liquid into a spray bottle. You can use this aromatic solution in your kitchen pantry, bathroom corners, under sinks, or any place where you’ve spotted flies or cockroaches.

These pests dislike the strong scent of bay leaves and cloves, making this spray a natural deterrent that smells pleasant to humans but unbearable to insects. For a more general-purpose insect repellent spray, combine half a cup of regular shampoo, half a cup of vegetable oil, and half a cup of white vinegar.

Stir the ingredients thoroughly and pour them into a clean spray bottle. Shake well before each use, then spray the solution in areas where bugs tend to gather—like baseboards, behind appliances, around trash cans, or near entrances. This mixture creates a slippery, unpleasant surface for crawling insects and leaves behind a light scent that masks food smells that usually attract bugs. One of the best things about these homemade remedies is that they’re non-toxic and budget-friendly. They don’t involve spraying synthetic chemicals into the air or using harmful substances that linger on your countertops or furniture.

Plus, they’re easy enough to make in just a few minutes, using items most people already have at home. However, while these natural repellents are effective tools, they work best when used alongside basic household cleanliness. Make sure to keep your spaces free from food crumbs, garbage buildup, and standing water, all of which attract pests. Seal food containers tightly and wipe down surfaces regularly to avoid giving bugs a reason to hang around. If you’re unsure about how to make these recipes or would like a visual demonstration, you can check out the Gustillos Recetas channel on YouTube, where you’ll find a helpful video walkthrough of the process. We hope these natural solutions help you enjoy a more peaceful, bug-free home. Give them a try, and let us know how they work for you. Until the next recipe, stay safe and pest-free!