Natural Bug Repellent Using Bay Leaves

🪰 Natural Bug Repellent Using Bay Leaves (Yes, Really!)

Tired of flies buzzing around your kitchen? Mosquitoes eating you alive? Cockroaches sneaking around?

Before reaching for harsh chemicals, try this old-school natural remedy that just might surprise you.

🌿 What You’ll Need:

▶️10–15 bay leaves (dried or fresh – both work!)

▶️4 cups of water

▶️A small pot or saucepan

🧪 How to Make It:

✅️1. Boil the water in a pot on your stove.

✅️2. Once it’s boiling, drop in the bay leaves.

✅️3. Turn the heat to low and let it simmer for about 10–15 minutes.

✅️4. After that, turn off the heat and leave the pot open.

✅️5. Let the steam and scent fill the room for at least an hour.

◾️You can also pour the hot mixture into a heat-safe bowl and place it in areas where bugs show up — like near windows, doors, or under the sink.

🧠 Why It Works (Sort Of):

Bay leaves have a strong, herbal smell that many bugs — especially flies, mosquitoes, and even cockroaches — really don’t like. It doesn’t kill them, but it may drive them away temporarily.

💡 Pro Tips:

↪️Boost the effect by adding a few drops of bay essential oil, eucalyptus oil, or peppermint oil.

↪️Use this method after cooking, near trash cans, or anywhere bugs sneak in.

↪️It’s pet-friendly, safe, and smells kind of nice too!

⚠️ Real Talk:

This trick isn’t magic. It won’t eliminate an infestation, but it’s a safe, natural way to reduce insect activity around your home — especially when used along with cleaning and sealing entry points.