Aroma Defense: Scents To Keep Roaches At Bay

Cockroaches are one of the most common household pests, and for good reason. They are difficult to get rid of, dirty, and carry bacteria that can be harmful to humans. Luckily, there are a few surprising ways to prevent cockroaches from entering your home, including the use of scents that they find repulsive.

Cockroaches have a strong sense of smell, which they use to communicate with each other and locate safe food sources. They use their two antennae to detect smells, creating images in their brains, which they use to navigate their environment in search of safety, warmth, food, and water.

- Mint

- Citronella

- Citrus fruits

- Thyme

- Pine

- Garlic

- Basil

- Lavender

- Peppermint

- Cedar

- Eucalyptus

- Tea tree oil

- Bay leaves

- Cucumber

- Cinnamon

- Rosemary

- Catnip

- Vinegar

- Chili pepper

- Oregano

Mint

There are a few ways to use mint to repel roaches:

• Grow fresh mint plants in your home or yard. The aroma will spread through the room, freshening up your environment while warning bugs to stay away.
• Mix peppermint, winter mint, or spearmint essential oils in a spray bottle with water. You can use around 10 drops per cup of water or just keep testing it to get the right potency for the size of the space you’re treating. Spray the mix around baseboards, windows, doors, and other areas that bugs might use to enter your property.
• Use mint-scented cleaning products.
• You can even leave peppermint candies throughout the house to deter bugs (and enjoy a little treat now and then) but don’t leave them out for too long.

Citrus fruits

Cockroaches are persistent and can fit into extremely small spaces. They wreak havoc when we are asleep or not looking. They are also quick reproducers, so an infestation can be hard to get rid of.

Cockroaches have a strong sense of smell, which they use to find food and communicate with each other. They can break through artificial scents, like air fresheners, and will be attracted to the food inside.

Using natural scents is a great way to deter cockroaches. Citrus fruits, like oranges and lemons, are known to be disliked by cockroaches. The limonene scent in citrus fruits acts as a repellent. Simply place the rinds of these fruits in the cracks and crevices where cockroaches are likely to enter from. Replace the rinds at least once a week to keep them fresh and effective.

In addition to citrus fruits, there are several other natural scents that cockroaches dislike, including:

• Thyme
• Basil
• Mint
• Pine
• Lavender
• Eucalyptus
• Bay leaves
• Cucumber
• Cinnamon
• Rosemary
• Catnip
• Vinegar
• Chili pepper
• Oregano

Lavender

In addition to its pest-repelling properties, lavender offers a range of benefits that make it an appealing choice for pest control. The calming fragrance of lavender has been shown to promote better sleep and reduce stress. Its relaxing aroma can help create a tranquil environment, easing away the tensions of the day.

When it comes to deterring cockroaches, a layered approach is often best. Combining lavender with other potent scents, such as peppermint or tea tree oil, can create an even stronger repellent effect. Planting lavender near entry points and infested areas can also help create an aromatic barrier that sends cockroaches scurrying in the opposite direction.

While lavender is an excellent natural repellent, it may not be a foolproof solution for eliminating a severe cockroach infestation. However, it can be a valuable tool in your pest control arsenal, complementing other preventive measures to keep your home cockroach-free.

Eucalyptus

To use eucalyptus oil as a repellent, dilute it with water or carrier oils such as coconut or olive oil, and apply it to areas that show signs of cockroach activity. You can also soak cotton balls in eucalyptus oil and place them strategically in areas prone to cockroach infestations. Additionally, planting a eucalyptus bush in your yard or hanging eucalyptus plants in rooms where cockroaches are a problem can help deter them.

While eucalyptus oil is effective in repelling cockroaches, it may not be sufficient for severe infestations. For large infestations, it is recommended to consult a professional pest control service. Combining eucalyptus oil with other repellent methods and scents can also improve its effectiveness.

Oregano

A 2016 study found that oregano oil exhibited the highest repellent activity against the brown-banded cockroach species, Supella longipalpa, compared to rosemary, eucalyptus, mint, and yarrow oils. The study observed that a 2.5% concentration of oregano oil resulted in a 96.5–99.1% repellency rate, with a residual effect lasting at least a week after treatment.

To use oregano oil as a cockroach repellent, create a solution by adding several drops of the oil to water in a spray bottle. Apply this solution to areas where cockroaches are present or likely to enter, such as kitchen counters, cabinets, crevices, and cracks. Reapply the solution weekly or bi-weekly to maintain its effectiveness.

In addition to using oregano oil, it is important to eliminate food and water sources for cockroaches and seal any entry points, such as cracks, to prevent infestations.

Frequently asked questions