The application of essential oils has transcended their uses in aromatherapy and skincare, now providing numerous benefits beyond their soothing fragrances. Among their many uses, one lesser-known application is their use in deterring pests.
Unfortunately, dealing with a cockroach infestation can be daunting, requiring store-bought roach killers, most of which have toxic chemical ingredients. For that reason, homeowners are now turning to essential oils to create natural and safe DIY roach repellents.
Essential oils alone may not solve a roach problem. However, they possess properties that can effectively keep these creepy crawlers away. Not all essential oils are equally effective in repelling cockroaches. Therefore, you need to know which essential oils repel roaches.
This article will highlight the most potent essential oils and provide instructions on how to use them to keep these pesky pests away.
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are concentrated compounds extracted from various parts of aromatic plants such as flowers, leaves, fruits, or barks. Research has found that some essentials have a repelling effect on roaches. This is usually because the scent is strong and overwhelms the roaches.
Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil repels roaches because it has a strong fragrance that disrupts the roach’s nervous system, causing confusion and discouraging them from sticking around. This potent oil is strong and long-lasting; a few drops mixed with water effectively repels most cockroaches.
Research has also shown that cypress oil is toxic and kills roaches on contact.
To use it, dilute a few drops of the oil with water in a spray bottle and spray in areas with roach activity; you may also spray the solution around the perimeter of your home. This solution will deter the roaches from entering your home.
Peppermint and Other Mint Oils
Peppermint oil, as well as other mint oils, are effective roach repellents. These oils have a high concentration of menthol; roaches find menthol’s strong scent unpleasant.
To make roach repellent with peppermint oil, mix a few drops of the oil with water in a spray bottle and spray the mixture where cockroaches are commonly found. The scent repels the roaches discouraging them from remaining in the treated areas.
The fragrance has also been found to be toxic when used in high concentrations, making it an effective solution for getting rid of roaches.
Citronella Oil
Due to its strong scent and potent chemical properties, citronella oil effectively repels cockroaches. Citronella is also common in many outdoor insect repellents, including citronella candles and sprays.
Mix a few drops of the oil with water and spray around areas with roach activity. The scent of the oil is unpleasant to roaches and will deter them from entering or remaining in the treated areas. The oil spray effects only last a few hours and may require blending with other essential oils, such as mint oil, for longer-lasting effects.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a versatile oil with strong antimicrobial properties commonly used as an antiseptic. In addition, research suggests that the oil contains terpenes which have natural insecticidal properties making the oil an effective roach repellent.
To use tea tree oil to deter roaches, dilute the oil with water and spray directly on the cockroaches. Adding vinegar to the mixture makes the solution more potent; combining it with other essential oils increases its effectiveness.
Rosemary Oil
Rosemary oil has a strong fresh scent that is effective in deterring roaches. Additionally, the compounds in rosemary oil are highly toxic to cockroaches, especially brown-banded cockroaches.
Mix rosemary oil with water and a carrier oil of your choice, and spray the mixture in the problem areas. The scent of the oil is unpleasant to cockroaches and can deter them from entering the treated areas. When sprayed directly on the roaches, the solution kills cockroaches on contact.
Catnip Oil
Catnip, the plant that triggers a playful effect in cats, is not roach friendly. The oil extracted from the plant has a chemical compound, nepetalactone, which is effective in repelling roaches. Nepetalactone is a potent compound that is up to 100 times more effective than DEET, a common active ingredient in synthetic insect repellents.
To use catnip oil, mix a few drops with water and spray the mixture in areas where roaches are likely to gather. Alternatively, soak cotton balls in the mixture and place them around your home; the scent of catnip oil repels the roaches and discourages them from entering your home.
Oregano Oil
Oregano oil is an effective roach repellent with a strong scent that can last up to a week after use. The long-lasting effect of this oil sets it apart from other essential oils, making it a valuable weapon in the fight against roaches. In addition, the scent of oregano is unpleasant to cockroaches and can deter them from entering treated areas. Better yet, the oil has also been found to be toxic to cockroaches when used in high concentrations.
To use oregano oil, dilute the oil with water and spray the mixture in areas you have a roach problem and the possible entrance areas of the house, such as around windows, doors, and wall crevices. The oil’s strong scent will temporarily keep roaches away; reapply if necessary.
Cedar Oil
Cedarwood has a fresh aromatic wood scent making it an ideal choice for closets and storage spaces. The intense fragrance also makes an excellent roach repellent.
Similarly, its oil extract has been found effective in keeping roaches away and may also be used as an insecticide since it is toxic when used in high concentrations. Cedar oil has a strong woodsy scent with an undertone of citrus that, when used, creates an unpleasant environment for roaches.
Dilute the oil with water and spray it in areas with roach activity; its strong scent discourages the roaches from entering or inhabiting sprayed areas while leaving your home smelling fresh.
Lavender Oil
The fresh fragrance of lavender has been found to have soothing effects on people, but the effects are quite the opposite for insects such as roaches and ants. Lavender oil is also said to have insecticidal properties and could be toxic to cockroaches when used in high concentrations.
Research has shown that combining other repelling essential oils such as citronella, citrus, basil, cedar, and mint also creates a highly effective roach repellent.
Combine lavender essential oil with water and another essential oil of your choice, and spray the solution around your home; the scent will repel the roaches and keep your home insect-free.
Cypress Oil
Cypress oil is extracted from the needles and twigs of the Mediterranean cypress tree, a tree species that has long been used in alternative medicine for aromatherapy and as an insect repellent. Placing cypress mulch around your outdoor spaces is believed to deter pests naturally. Using cypress essential oil effectively wards off home-invasive pests such as cockroaches.
To use cypress oil, mix a few drops with water and spray the solution around areas with roach activity. The oil’s strong scent makes your home less inviting and deters the roaches from entering. To increase its effectiveness, blend the oil with peppermint or lavender oil. With this solution, you can keep getting rid of cockroaches without using harsh chemical repellents.
Citrus Oil
Citrus oils have been found to have a repelling effect on roaches. The oil is extracted from the peels of citrus fruits such as lemon, orange, bergamot, and grapefruits. Citrus oil contains the ingredient limonene, which is the compound behind the insect-repelling properties of the oil. This compound is also reported to have insecticidal properties showing contact toxicity; when used in high concentrations. There is, however, limited evidence to support its claim.
The effectiveness of citrus oil varies depending on the concentration of limonene and the citrus fruit it was extracted from, lemon and bergamot being the strongest. Additionally, the oil has antimicrobial properties; thus, spraying a solution of citrus oil keeps roaches away while also disinfecting your home.
Clove Oil
Clove oil is another strong essential oil that is effective in repelling roaches. It is a fast-acting killer and can effectively eliminate various pests, including wasps, mosquitoes, ants, bed bugs, flies, and even cockroaches.
To make clove oil roach repellent, mix a few drops of the oil with water and spray the solution in areas with roaches, such as under cabinets, appliances, countertops, and cracks and crevices. A concentrated solution can kill the roach on contact while repelling other cockroaches scurrying around your home. In addition, clove oil has been found to produce excellent results when combined with other essential oils.
Basil Oil
Basil is one of the most popular herbs used to spice up dishes; this herb is also an excellent weapon against pests. Basil contains linalool, a chemical compound that roaches despise. Basil oil contains concentrated amounts of linalool, making it an effective roach repellent.
To harness the power of basil oil, blend it with a few drops of rosemary oil, mix it with water, and spray the solution in areas with a roach problem. The oil’s strong scent irritates cockroaches, keeping them away from the sprayed areas.
You can also use this spray around the perimeter of your house to create a natural barrier; roaches will want to avoid the areas, which helps keep them at bay.
Rose Oil
Rose oil is extracted from the petal of roses. The oil has a concentrated fragrance that roaches find displeasing. In most cases, the oil is only effective when combined with other essential oils. For example, you can blend the oil with lemon or citronella oils to make a powerful roach-repellent.
Add a few drops of the blended oils in a spray bottle and then mix with water. Apply the mixture to areas with roach activity; the cockroaches will keep off the sprayed areas. You may add a few drops of the oil to a diffuser; the scent will reach the cockroaches in hiding, deterring them.
Downsides of Using Essential Oils for Roachesc
Although these essential oils are effective in repelling roaches and super easy to use, they have several downsides.
- They lose potency over time and thus require regular reapplication.
- When ingested in high concentrations, some oils are toxic to pets. Thus, you must dilute them before use.
When dealing with a serious cockroach infestation, essential oils repelling sprays are not enough to completely eradicate these nuisance pests; therefore, consider using the oils combined with other control methods such as baits, sticky traps, and insecticide sprays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Essential Oils Deter Cockroaches?
Yes, essential oils deter cockroaches, but the effectiveness highly depends on the type of oil used and the concentration. Examples of essential oils effective in repelling roaches are peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender, and clove oil.
What Smell Do Roaches Hate?
Cockroaches hate smells with strong odors; the smell of essential oils, herbs, and spices may effectively deter roaches.
How Can I Get Rid of Cockroaches Permanently?
You can get rid of cockroaches permanently by taking prevention and control measures. This may include identifying the source of the infestation, eliminating the attractants, sealing entry points, and using roach repellents, baits, and insecticides. In addition, you may be required to involve a professional exterminator for severe infestations.
