With the rainy season here, nonstop downpours have turned homes damp and humid – the perfect environment for mosquitoes and cockroaches to multiply. These pests aren’t just annoying; they spread serious diseases like dengue, malaria, and food poisoning that can endanger the whole family. The moment you spot them inside, you need to act fast.

Many people reach for chemical insect sprays because they’re convenient, but they come with downsides: they’re expensive, leave a strong chemical smell, and frequent use can harm lungs – especially for kids and the elderly. Luckily, there’s a much safer, cheaper, and surprisingly effective home remedy using items you already have in the kitchen.

According to a popular tip featured on VnExpress, just mix laundry detergent and sugar in equal parts (1:1), then dissolve the mixture in water. That’s it – this simple solution repels and eliminates both mosquitoes and cockroaches without any toxic chemicals.

1. How to Use It Against Mosquitoes

  • Trap method: Pour the diluted mixture into a plastic bottle with the top third cut off (turn the cut part upside-down like a funnel). Place these traps in mosquito hotspots – under the bed, behind doors, near the kitchen, or beside houseplants. Mosquitoes are drawn to the sweet smell, land on the liquid, drink it, and die quickly because of the alkaline detergent. → Change the liquid every week as it evaporates fast.
  • Spray method: Mix 1 tablespoon of laundry detergent with 4 liters of water. Put it in a spray bottle and mist dark corners, under furniture, and behind cabinets twice a week. It kills hidden mosquitoes and stops new ones from settling, especially in rainy weather.
  • Caution: Keep traps and sprayed areas away from small children and pets – the mixture is poisonous if swallowed.

2. How to Use It Against Cockroaches

Cockroaches breathe through tiny holes on their bodies. The strong alkaline detergent blocks these holes, suffocating them and making treated areas unbearable for them.

  • Put the diluted mixture in a spray bottle and spray directly into cracks, crevices, under the sink, behind the fridge, and along their usual routes.
  • Soak a cloth in the solution and wipe baseboards, cabinets, and counters.
  • Spray window screens, balcony doors, and insect mesh – it creates an invisible barrier that stops cockroaches (and mosquitoes) from entering from outside.