Are you tired of finding cockroaches in your home and hesitant to use store-bought repellants with unknown ingredients?
Don’t worry, you don’t have to resort to harmful chemicals to get rid of these annoying insects.
Because Cockroach repellent doesn’t have to be harsh chemicals for it to be effective pest control.
Luckily, there are plenty of natural remedies out there that claim to repel or eliminate these unwanted houseguests. But do they actually work?
In this blog post, we’ll explore DIY, single-ingredient solutions and all the top natural cockroach repellents that you can use to repel roaches from your home.
So, let’s dive in and find out which natural remedies are worth a try to repel cockroaches the natural way.
Natural Roach Repellents
Roaches are not mere intruders that come to your home and consume your food.
They are also evil-smelling, leave traces, and have the potential to damage books and papers.
To deter roaches from entering your space, you can make use of natural repellents that are described below.
Before going into all the detail let’s first discuss the best cockroach repellent.
What is the best cockroach repellent?
Determining the best cockroach repellent can be challenging as its effectiveness may differ based on the specific infestation.
What works for one person may not work for another.
Nonetheless, based on my personal experience, Neem oil has been highly effective in repelling cockroaches and I consider it to be the best option.
Essential Oils as Natural Roach Repellent
1. Neem Oil – Carrier Oil
This one keeps away a lot of insects and pests,
Because it contains a certain chemical that is poisonous to them.
The poisonous chemical contained in neem oil disrupts their hormones and prevents breeding, which means you have fewer roaches to kill.
Neem oil is found in many sprays and lotions. But pure neem oil will really do the trick.
Studies have shown that neem bait made from a neem seed extract can kill immature cockroaches and reduce egg laying in adult cockroaches.
You can mix neem oil with water in a spray solution, or just sprinkle the powder form where roaches are likely to reside.
You might have to spend a little extra cash, but it’s still cheaper than the exterminator!
2. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a natural roach repellent that many homeowners swear by.
As we can endure the scent of tea tree oil, cockroaches are unable to tolerate it.
Taking benefit from this we can use tea tree oil as a roach repellent by making a DIY cockroach spray
Mix 1 part vinegar and 4 parts water, add a few drops of tea tree oil and apply the mixture to targeted areas using a spray bottle.
This effective and natural solution is a great alternative to chemical-based repellents, making it a safe option for families with children and pets.
3. Eucalyptus Oil
Does eucalyptus kill roaches?
Eucalyptus oil can be used as a natural insect repellent, including against cockroaches.
The strong scent of eucalyptus oil can help to repel roaches and discourage them from entering an area.
However, it is not a guaranteed way to kill roaches.
A study shows that eucalyptus oil has a lot of useful properties that make them great for fighting off insects, fungi, and bacteria.
They also talked about the benefits of using eucalyptus oil to protect plants and homes from pests, weeds, and other harmful bugs.
You can dilute it with water or another carrier oil, such as coconut oil or olive oil, and apply it to areas where roaches are likely to enter.
You can also place eucalyptus oil-soaked cotton balls in these areas.
It’s important to note that while eucalyptus oil may repel roaches, it may not be effective against severe infestations.
In such cases, it’s best to consult with a professional pest control service to address the problem.
4. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil is well-known for its calming and stress-reducing properties, making it a remarkably potent essential oil.
In addition to providing humans with comfort and relaxation, it has the added benefit of deterring cockroaches while being safe for humans and pets
Based on the experiences of various users, the active compounds in lavender oil disrupt the roaches’ nervous system, leading to their eventual demise.
Furthermore, lavender oil can be used in a variety of ways, such as spraying it directly on surfaces, diffusing it in the air, or mixing it with other natural ingredients to create homemade roach repellents.
Herbs, Plants, and Spices as Natural Roach Repellent
5. Bay leaves
Bay leaves can be used as cockroach-repellent plants, because
These leaves contain compounds such as eucalyptol and linalool that are toxic to roaches, and their strong scent also acts as a deterrent.
Simply place fresh bay leaves in areas where roaches are likely to enter or congregate, such as under the garbage can, inside cabinets, pantry shelves, below the stove, under appliances, and behind the refrigerator.
The scent can last for several weeks, making them a long-lasting and eco-friendly alternative to chemical insecticides.
6. Catnip – Safer and Eco-friendly
Your kitty might love it, but the same can’t be said about cockroaches
Catnip is not just a popular herb among cats, it also serves as a natural roach repellent.
The strong odor of catnip contains a compound called nepetalactone, which has been shown to repel cockroaches and other insects.
To use catnip as a natural roach repellent,
Put some fresh catnip leaves in a sachet – you know those little sheer drawstrings bags usually used for steeping tea – or other porous bags.
Set them around in the same popular roach places: cabinets, corners, and whatnot.
Just remember to change out the leaves when needed so that your anti-roach balls keep their potency!
Another solution would be catnip tea and using it as a spray.
To make catnip tea solution as a natural roach repellent,
- Boil a cup of water in a pot or kettle.
- Place 2-3 tablespoons of dried catnip in a tea ball or strainer.
- Place the tea ball or strainer in a mug.
- Pour the hot water over the catnip.
- Let the tea steep for 10-15 minutes.
- Remove the tea ball or strainer.
- Allow the tea to cool down before pouring it into a spray bottle.
- Use the catnip tea solution to spray on roach-infested areas in your home.
If you can grow catnips in your garden, that’s even better since you’ll always have an endless supply on your hands.
7. Garlic
Garlic, with its strong odor, is a natural repellent for these unwelcome visitors.
By sprinkling garlic powder in targeted areas, you can deter roaches from making themselves at home.
But but but!
Be mindful not to overdo it with garlic, as it may leave your home with an unpleasant scent.
As garlic is effective in repelling roaches, it should not be relied on as the sole means of pest control, and other measures such as proper sanitation and sealing of cracks and crevices should also be taken.
8. Cinnamon
Are you someone who enjoys the flavor and aroma of cinnamon?
If yes,
Then you might be interested in using it as a natural roach repellent.
Without a doubt, it has an extremely strong scent.
But the odor of cinnamon alone is not as effective as some other natural roach repellents like bay leaves.
Fresh cinnamon sticks should be combined with other fragrant herbs and spices to create a repellent that may help keep roaches at bay.
So, next time you’re in the kitchen, consider using cinnamon sticks as part of your roach-repelling arsenal.
9. Mint Plants & Oil
Listen up, folks! If you want to quickly freshen up any room and keep those nasty roaches out,
Get or grow yourself some mint plants ASAP.
Mint oil is a seriously powerful insect repellent and the ultimate choice for any DIY pest control project.
Not to mention, growing mint is a fun way to spice up your cooking and cocktails.
And let’s not forget, research has proven that mint is downright toxic to at least two species of roaches – the American cockroach and the German cockroach – so it’s a no-brainer to include it in your ultimate plan to get rid of those pesky pests.
Household items as Natural Roach Repellent
10. Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds are an unexpected but good repellent for roaches only if they ingest it.
The scent of coffee may or may not repel cockroaches, but if they are hungry enough and not finding anything to eat, they may eat coffee grounds which will cause them to die, because of the caffeine present in the coffee.
To use coffee grounds as a roach repellent,
Simply place small bowls of fresh or used coffee grounds in areas where roaches are known to frequent, such as in cabinets.
Alternatively, you can place coffee grounds in a porous bag and hang it in areas where roaches are a problem.
Coffee grounds are not much effective cockroach repellent as other methods of roach control,
As It is a safe and natural option that can be easily incorporated into your daily routine, so why not give it a try.
11. Soap Solution – Borax soap
Borax is natural antiseptic and cleaner that’s used in powdered laundry detergents and disinfecting hands soap.
Find a soap that contains borax so that your solution packs even better punch.
Got the borax soap?
Now, mix the soap with a little hot water and spread it thickly on your kitchen counters and near any infestation points.
If somehow you can’t find a soap that contains borax, get a simple soap, and some borax powder, and mix them in hot water.
Cockroaches and similar pests breathe through the pores of their shells and skin, so when they start crawling around in this soap, the borax will get the job done.
12. Citronella Candles
Citronella candles are not a reliable solution to keep these pests away from your home.
They may deter a few roaches from flying, but can’t repel them.
Citronella candle is a popular choice when it comes to repelling flying insects such as mosquitoes and gnats.
However, citronella oil can be much more effective…
13. Citronella Oil
Citronella oil is a natural roach repellent that is extracted from a type of grass.
Its strong scent is known to repel roaches and other insects.
Simply apply the oil to areas where roaches are present or mix it with water to create a DIY spray.
Scents as Natural Roach Repellent
Scents like peppermint, lavender, rosemary, and eucalyptus are known to be natural roach repellents.
These strong-smelling scents are effective at repelling roaches and can help keep them out of your home.
By using natural scents as a roach repellent, you can avoid harsh chemicals and keep your home smelling fresh and pleasant.
To use natural scents as roach repellent,
Simply place cotton balls soaked in the essential oil around your home, paying particular attention to areas where roaches are known to frequent.
You can also mix the oils with water in a spray bottle and use the mixture to spray around your home.
Some Creatures as Natural Roach Repellent
While there are many chemical options available to repel or eliminate roaches, there are also some creatures that serve as natural roach repellents.
These natural predators can help control roach populations without the use of harmful chemicals.
Not only do these creatures feed on roaches, but their mere presence can also deter roaches from entering a space.
Geckos, cats, spiders (especially wolf spiders), and birds such as chickens are considered natural roach repellents.
As I have experienced geckos helping me in controlling my roach problem, let me further explain geckos a little bit.
14. Geckos – Natural predators
The natural predator of cockroaches – the house gecko or even pet gecko, can help to control roach populations as it is capable of preying on cockroaches of almost any size.
But, they are not typically considered a natural roach repellent as they do not emit any substances that actively repel roaches.
Instead, they hunt and eat roaches as part of their natural diet.
The gecko tries its best to prey on cockroaches of any size but if somehow it is unable to swallow a large cockroach whole, it will still consume its head.
And since a cockroach cannot survive for an extended period of time without its head, this effectively eliminates cockroaches to some extent.
If you have geckos in your home, they may help to keep the roach population under control, but they are not a guaranteed method of roach control.
Conclusion:
Thanks for reading all the way to the end.
As you peruse this article, you might be under the impression that the suggested natural roach-repellent methods are the most effective at deterring cockroaches.
However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
In reality, these methods are simply the most convenient, enjoyable, and can be carried out independently, as they don’t involve the handling of dead roaches or toxic poisons.
Nevertheless, if these methods fall short, you will have to resort to more complicated techniques.
One benefit of natural methods is that they are always beneficial for human use, so your expenditure will not go to waste.
To be clear, the most reliable ways to eliminate roaches naturally are through time-honored strategies, such as comprehensive cleaning, food-grade diatomaceous earth, and boric acid, or by seeking assistance from a professional pest control service.
In contrast, essential oils, herbs, and spices may repel roaches to some degree, but they are unlikely to drive them out entirely from your living space and into another environment where they won’t be a burden to you.
FAQS
Does Vinegar Repel Roaches?
Vinegar may temporarily repel roaches due to its strong odor,
But it is not a reliable or practical long-term solution for controlling or preventing roach infestations.
It is more of a cleaning tool, rather than a repellent.
A more practical and effective option is to create vinegar and peppermint oil spray.
Does Bleach Repel Roaches?
Bleach does not repel roaches.
While it may kill roaches upon contact, it does not have any long-lasting repellent effects.
How to make natural cockroach repellent spray?
Mix equal parts of water and white vinegar in a spray bottle, add a few drops of essential oil (such as peppermint or eucalyptus), and spray in areas where cockroaches are likely to gather.
Are natural cockroach repellents effective?
Yes, natural cockroach repellents can be effective in deterring roaches from entering and infesting your home.
However, the level of effectiveness may depend on the type of repellent used, the severity of the infestation, and the consistency with which the repellent is applied.
Can I use natural cockroach repellents instead of insecticides?
Yes, natural cockroach repellents can be a safer and more eco-friendly alternative to insecticides. However, keep in mind that natural repellents may not be as immediately effective as insecticides and may require more frequent applications.
