Found cockroaches in your home?
And now you want something natural, effective, and a more affordable repellent to roach-free your home.
Well, look NO further than ” Peppermint oil “!
Because peppermint oil is a natural roach-repellent and works by masking the scents that cockroaches use to navigate and locate food sources, making it more difficult for them to survive in treated areas.
The reason why peppermint oil is the first repellent when we think about roaches is that other traditional chemical pest control methods can also be harmful to humans and the environment.
Other than that peppermint oil is known for its refreshing and stimulating scent. It is often used in home remedies due to its potential health benefits, including its ability to help relieve headaches and indigestion.
Peppermint oil, which is extracted from the peppermint plant, is easily accessible and can be found in most health food stores.
In this blog post, we will discuss do peppermint oil really repels roaches? and step-by-step instructions on how to use it to rid your home of these unwanted pests.
By the end of this post, you will have the knowledge and tools to use peppermint oil as a remedy for roaches confidently.
So, grab your bottle of peppermint oil, and let’s get started!
Does peppermint oil repel roaches?
Yes, peppermint oil repels roaches.
How? Let me explain.
You probably know that peppermint oil has a sharp, cool, and refreshing scent. However, what you may not know is that roaches dislike strong scents and even hate them, whether it is the scent of peppermint oil or any other strong scent. They simply can’t tolerate strong smells.
So, by using peppermint oil around your house, you can easily repel roaches.
Now, How to use it – Complete procedure is below!
Does Peppermint Oil Kill Roaches?
Peppermint oil has been shown to be effective at killing cockroaches, specifically American and German cockroaches.
In a study conducted by the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at Auburn University, it was found that when these cockroach species were fumigated with 50 µl of 100% peppermint oil, they experienced knockdown (A term used to describe the temporary incapacitation of insects) within 7.4 and 9.2 hours, respectively.
After 24 hours, 100% of both species were killed. This suggests that peppermint oil can be an effective method for controlling and eliminating cockroach infestations.
How to Make Peppermint oil Spray for roaches?
As now you know that peppermint oil is the easiest and most effective method for controlling roaches, as the strong scent of peppermint can repel roaches and prevent them from entering your area.
So, Without further delay, let’s learn the process, because I know how hectic it is to know or see roaches at home.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use peppermint oil to get rid of roaches:
- Purchase a bottle of high-quality peppermint oil from a health food store or online retailer.
- Dilute the peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle, using a ratio of about 10 drops of peppermint oil per cup of water.
- Shake the spray bottle well to mix the solution.
- Now, Spray the solution around the areas where you have seen roaches or where you think they may be entering your home. Focus on areas such as cracks and crevices, under appliances, and around windows and doors.
- Reapply the peppermint oil solution every few days, or as needed, to maintain its effectiveness.
- Pro Tip: “To increase the effectiveness of your peppermint spray for cockroaches, try applying it at night when they are most active. This will ensure that the spray trap is at its strongest when the pests are present.”
- In addition to using peppermint oil, you can also take other steps to prevent roaches from entering your home, such as sealing any cracks or openings in your walls or foundation and keeping your home clean and clutter-free.
- If you are still seeing roaches despite using peppermint oil and taking other preventative measures, you will need to use stronger pest control methods, such as baits or traps, or consult a professional exterminator.
Note: Peppermint spray is not a long-term solution for roach control, and it may not work for all types of roaches. It is best to use it as a temporary measure until you can implement a more comprehensive roach control plan.
Other than the above simple spray of peppermint and water you can also prepare the below mixtures/sprays to repel cockroaches.
Note: The simple spray including peppermint oil and water works best but in case if you want to increase its severity, you can also create peppermint, vinegar, and water spray or peppermint, Listerine, and water spray.
Some Other Peppermint Spray for Roaches Control
To make some other peppermint spray for roach control, you can use either peppermint oil and vinegar, peppermint oil and Listerine, or peppermint oil and water. Here are the steps for each method:
You can make anyone from the below list.
Peppermint oil and Water:
- Combine 10-15 drops of peppermint oil with one cup of water in a spray bottle.
- Shake the bottle well to mix the ingredients.
- Spray the solution in areas where you have seen roaches or in places where they are likely to hide.
Tip: Store the spray in your refrigerator to keep the smell strong.
Peppermint oil and Vinegar:
- Combine one part peppermint oil with four parts vinegar and one cup of water in a spray bottle.
- Shake the bottle well to mix the ingredients.
- Spray the solution in areas where you have seen roaches or in places where they are likely to hide, such as under sinks, behind appliances, and in cracks and crevices.
Peppermint oil and Listerine:
- Combine one part peppermint oil with two parts Listerine (Mouth wash) and one cup of water in a spray bottle.
- Shake the bottle well to mix the ingredients.
- Spray the solution in areas where you have seen roaches or in places where they are likely to hide.
Note: It is important to test the peppermint spray on a small area before using it extensively, as some surfaces may be sensitive to the ingredients in the spray.
Benefits of Using Peppermint Oil for Roaches
Safe for use around humans and pets
Peppermint oil is a natural and non-toxic substance that can be used to repel roaches. Because it is derived from the peppermint plant, it is safe for use around humans and pets. This makes it a great alternative to commercial roach repellents, which may contain harmful chemicals.
Inexpensive than commercial roach repellents
One of the biggest benefits of using peppermint oil to repel roaches is that it is relatively inexpensive.
Commercial roach repellents can be quite costly, especially if you need to use a lot of them to keep roaches at bay.
In comparison, peppermint oil is relatively affordable and can be purchased in large quantities for a relatively low cost.
Better for the environment
Also, because peppermint oil is natural and non-toxic, it is better for the environment than commercial roach repellents.
Many commercial products contain chemicals that can be harmful to the environment and to other forms of wildlife.
Peppermint oil, on the other hand, is biodegradable and will not harm the environment when it is used in small amounts.
The Conclusion: Will Peppermint Oil Repel Roaches?
Based on current research, peppermint oil is an effective way of repelling cockroaches.
It is a natural and non-toxic solution that can be used in households with pets and children.
While it may not completely eliminate an infestation, it can help to keep roaches away and reduce their numbers.
It is important to note that peppermint oil should be used in conjunction with other pest control measures for the best results.
FAQs
What smell do cockroaches hate?
Cockroaches strongly dislike certain smells, such as peppermint, cucumber, and eucalyptus. These scents can help to repel cockroaches and prevent them from entering your home.
Other effective repellents include citrus and citronella.
Some people also use cloves and bay leaves to keep cockroaches away.
These smells can be used as a natural deterrent to keep cockroaches away.
What does peppermint oil repel?
Peppermint oil can repel a variety of insects, including roaches, mosquitoes, ticks, spiders, moths, flies, fleas, beetles, ants, and even mice.
But it only works best for a couple of weeks, its smell fades, then it can’t repel anything so you have to reapply after a few weeks.
Does peppermint oil attract bugs?
Peppermint oil is generally a bug repellent, but there are some types of insects like bees, ladybugs, etc that are attracted to the smell of mint. These insects are beneficial to have around, so peppermint oil can be used to both repel unwanted bugs and attract beneficial insects.
Do roaches like peppermint?
Not at all,
Cockroaches hate the smell of peppermint oil. And tend to avoid it because peppermint oil is a natural roach repellent and also toxic to roaches (especially German and American cockroaches).