In the never-ending battle against pests, roaches are the hardest to exterminate as they are resistant to many pesticides and breed quickly. In addition, roaches are a major source of frustration to many home and business owners; they require an effective pest control strategy, particularly when it comes to repellents.
Repellents are substances used to discourage cockroaches from entering certain areas. They can be either conventional or natural cockroach repellents. However, while repellents are meant to deter roaches, some products are made to kill and repel roaches at the same time.
This guide will discuss the available types of cockroach repellents, how they work, mistakes to avoid when using them, and the factors to consider when choosing a roach repellent.
How Do Cockroach Repellents Work?
Cockroach repellents work by creating an unpleasant environment for roaches; these roach repellents emit a pungent smell, an often overwhelming and unpleasant scent to cockroaches.
Herbs, Plants, and Flowers That Repel Roaches
Roaches have a strong sense of smell, and fragrant house plants, herbs, and flowers have strong scents that these pests find distasteful. The fragrance is due to an organic compound called terpenes, found in various aromatic plants and herbs like bay leaves that kill roaches, rosemary, lemon grass, thyme, eucalyptus, catnip, pandan leaves, and citrus plants.
Other plants, like members of the mint family, have menthol that is effective in repelling roaches. Roaches also hate the smell of chrysanthemums, the flowering plants with fragrant blooms. It contains pyrethrum, which is an excellent insect repellent.
These plant repellents will help keep the roaches off; place potted plants around your home or scatter the leaves of these plants to keep off the cockroaches. However, you will need to use essential oils in case of a severe infestation.
Essential Oils That Repel Roaches
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts with intense aromas and flavor compounds that make them some of the best cockroach repellents.
Peppermint Essential Oil
Roaches find peppermint oil unpleasant and avoid areas sprayed with the oil. The strong minty aroma comes from the compound menthone in most essential mint oils.
Citrus Oil
Like mint essential oil, citrus oil has a strong scent that roaches hate. The oil is extracted from the peels of citrus fruits and has high levels of D-Limonene that effectively repels cockroaches. You can add lemon oil to your cleaning water; the scent of lemon will repel the roaches while disinfecting your floor.
Catnip Oil
Catnip oil is another excellent cockroach repellent from the mint family. The oil has a high concentration of nepetalactone, a compound used in many insect-repellent products. This compound has been found to be up to 10 times more effective at repelling roaches than DEET, a common ingredient in most insect repellents.
When sprayed around the house, the pungent scent of the oil will keep these bugs off. In higher concentrations, they can kill roaches. Note that these oils evaporate; they need to be reapplied regularly.
Pouches or Stations
Pouches or stations are small pre-packaged repellents containing a powerful amount of combined essential oils in a convenient pouch clip packaged in a zipper pack.
Unzip the pack to expose the pouch and place it in a small enclosed area like the attic, pantry, closet, or inside the car. Pouches or stations are a perfect and safe alternative to roach killers, effective at repelling roaches.
A small pouch can repel many pests, including roaches, bed bugs, and rats. Cedar, mint, rosemary, lemongrass, and peppermint oil can all be used in pouches to make this cockroach-repellent safe for indoor or outdoor uses.
Insect-Repelling Candles
Insect-repelling candles are special repellents made by mixing wax with essential oils to repel roaches and other insects. One of the most common oils used in insect-repelling candles is citronella oil, but other options are available.
As the candle burns, the oil from the candle evaporates, giving off a pleasant aroma that will drive the roaches away. Use the candles in open areas or near windows and doors; the scent repels the bugs and masks food scents preventing the cockroaches from entering your home.
Perimeter Spray Repellents
Perimeter spray repellents are a great way to ward off roaches from your home, stopping them before they can enter by creating a barrier. They are typically just roach sprays used around the home’s perimeter to prevent the roaches from entering.
The sprays contain an active ingredient like pyrethrin that kills and repels cockroaches. You can choose the best treatment for roaches as your perimeter spray repellent. Roaches will avoid the area once they figure out that it is harmful to them.
Moth Balls
Most people know what moth balls look like; they even know how they smell. Unfortunately, a few know how to use moth balls effectively and safely. Moth balls are excellent insect repellents that keep away moths as well as cockroaches. However, it is crucial to use it properly.
This repellent is chemical-based with the following active ingredients:
- Paradichlorobenzene
- Naphthalene
These two chemicals are highly toxic and release a scent that kills insects when exposed to air. In addition, when used in small quantities, moth balls can deter roaches. Moreover, roaches know when to avoid treated areas.
It is vital to read the instructions before using any insecticides. Also, keep this product away from kids and pets.
Electronic Repellents
Electronic repellents are electrically powered devices designed to emit high-frequency ultrasonic sounds that are inaudible to humans but disturbing to only cockroaches and other pests.
These sounds irritate and confuse roaches disrupting their communication, mating, food hunting, and eating patterns, thus driving them away. Though they have little effect on cockroaches, they are still effective in enclosed spaces such as attics. You can use electronic cockroach repellent with other roach repellents for better results.
Vinegar
Vinegar emits a pungent smell that repels various insects, including roaches. To use vinegar as a roach repellent, mix vinegar and water in equal amounts and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray the solution on areas with roach activity, around doors, and windows.
The combination will create an unpleasant smell that will repel cockroaches. Vinegar is a safe and affordable roach repellent. You can also mix vinegar with essential oil to make a stronger roach-repellent.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is an affordable all-natural pest control product. It is a natural repellent made from fossilized diatoms. To use DE, sprinkle a fine layer of the powder in areas with roach activity; the powder will create a physical barrier making it difficult for the nasty critters to pass; if they walk over the treated area, the powder will stick to their legs and body.
The diatoms are sharp and abrasive and will erode the waxy layer on the roach’s exoskeleton, causing it to dehydrate and eventually die. Cockroaches often avoid areas treated with DE, making it a preventative measure and an insect killer at the same time. Food-grade DE is safe to use around children and pets.
Borax
Borax is a naturally occurring mineral commonly used as a cockroach repellent to control and prevent ants, roaches, and termite infestations. When used as a roach repellent, borax is sprinkled around the home; the bugs detect the smell and avoid treated areas. Any contact with cockroaches is fatal as the powder disrupts the digestive system and causes death.
Borax and boric acid are often confused with one another. However, they are different forms of the same compound; the chemical element boron. They only differ in their chemical makeup, potency, and applications but control pests similarly. Boric acid is more effective at killing roaches than even borax, which works better as a deterrent.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is an excellent roach control solution. This solution is cheap, non-toxic, and easy to use; most homeowners already have baking sodas in their pantries, unaware that it can help them eliminate the nuisance of roaches. Roaches dislike the smell of baking soda and will avoid areas treated with the powder.
In addition to using baking soda to repel roaches, you can also use it to kill them. To lure the roaches into eating the powder, mix it with sugar and place it in areas with roach activity. The cockroaches will eat the powder, and once they drink water, the powder will build pressure in the stomach, causing them to burst from inside and die.
Garlic Powder
Roaches hate the pungent smell of garlic, making garlic powder an effective repellent. Sprinkling the powder in areas with roach activity will ward off these pests. However, the powder loses effectiveness quickly and needs to be reapplied regularly.
Mistakes to Avoid When Using Repellents
As much as you want to get rid of the roaches in your home real quick, a few mistakes may delay or sabotage your plan or even cause harm to your family. Not taking safety precautions while using the roach repellents is one mistake, so always read the label and adhere to the product instructions.
Another common mistake is failing to address the roach problem from the root cause. Most roaches will invade your home in search of food, water, and harborage; the availability of these things is an invitation to more cockroaches, while the existing ones will not want to leave either.
Avoid leaving unwashed dishes overnight, clean up food spills, empty the garbage bin, store food in air-tight containers, and eliminate excess moisture. Ensure you seal any openings, cracks, and crevices that roaches use to access your home. Do not stack cardboard boxes and old newspapers, as they are great hiding places for the roaches.
Another mistake is spraying your pet with roach repellents. Most roaches contain ingredients that can harm your dog or cat, so avoid spraying them with repellents.
While some products such as boric acid and DE are not harmful, large amounts of these products can cause harm, avoid inhaling or coming in contact with these products and avoid using these products in areas with food.
Finally, use enough of these roach repellents, as too little may not be effective. Reapply regularly, as most repellents lose effectiveness with time but do not overuse them because roaches can develop resistance to the repellents rendering them ineffective.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Roach Repellent
When choosing a roach repellent, there are some crucial factors you need to consider. One important factor is the safety of the repellent; avoid repellents with toxic chemicals that can harm humans and pets.
Secondly, evaluate the effectiveness of the repellent on the type of roach you are trying to eliminate. Different species require different control methods.
Ease of use is also another essential factor to consider. Some roach repellents are easy to use and require less effort, and these are always a great choice.
Lastly, consider the cost of the repellent. Some roach repellents can be expensive; ensure that you go for one that fits your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Smell Do Cockroaches Hate?
Cockroaches hate strong smells such as mint, citrus, and others that humans find pleasant. Most herbs, spices, and essential oils have pungent smells that roaches hate. You can use this fact and employ these smells to repel cockroaches.
How Do I Eliminate Roaches Permanently?
You can eliminate roaches permanently by combining treatment and prevention techniques. For example, treatment may involve roach killers such as roach sprays, borax, and DE, while prevention may involve good sanitation, using repellents, removing clutter, and sealing cracks and crevices.
Does Boric Acid Repel Cockroaches?
No, boric acid doesn’t repel cockroaches, but it does kill them.
Boric acid is a naturally occurring compound used for decades for pest control. It is non-repellent but will kill any roaches that come into contact with it.
Boric acid, usually in dust, powder, or gel form, can be applied along entry points to kill roaches. Any roach that walks over the dust and into the home will die as the powder clings to its feet and wings; the cockroaches will ingest the acid as they groom themselves, and the slow-acting poison interferes with the digestive system causing death.
