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15 Natural Cockroach Repellent Methods: What Works?

natural cockroach repellent

Getting rid of cockroaches can be a huge pain. Some home remedies can be an effective cockroach repellent, but as often happens with DIY pest control, your cockroach issue may end up being more than you can reasonably handle.

Roaches are tough, and the first thing you try may not be the thing that works.

It may take multiple tries to rid yourself of your roach issue, but we have listed here a few ideas to get you started.

How Did I Get Cockroaches?

You could have developed a cockroach infestation for several reasons. It could stem from them finding a way into your home through a crack or even by stowing away in your bag or on your person.

Having cockroaches does not necessarily mean that your home is filthy. Roaches are resourceful and can find many ways into your home and kitchen.

Keeping a clean home is a great way to be preventive about cockroach invasions, but if these insects can find a way to get to a food source, pest control is the only thing that's going to stop them.

What Smells Keep Roaches Away?

Some of the best pest control can be mistaken for aromatherapy. Some of the smells humans enjoy the most are repulsive to roaches, and you might be able to get your cockroach issue under control with scents like citrus, lavender, eucalyptus, and mint.

What Is the Best Way to Repel Cockroaches?

You may be wondering how to perform pest control on a creature that can theoretically survive a nuclear war.

Roach control can be difficult but effective when done correctly.

In this list, we go over the most effective repellents for your roach issue and how to use them.

Are There Different Species of Cockroaches?

There are thousands of different roaches species, but only a few are associated with being an annoyance for homeowners.

With proper, pest control none of these roaches should be an annoyance in your house anymore.

Do Different Repellents Work for Different Types of Cockroaches?

The natural roach removal methods we list here should work for any type of roach that has become a nuisance.

How Do You Get Rid of Roaches Overnight?

Depending on how many roaches you are dealing with, some of the methods on this list can be more effective than others for ridding yourself of roaches quickly.

Should I Repel or Kill Roaches?

It is best to repel cockroaches as a preventative measure, but the most effective pest control method would be to eliminate them.

Natural Repellent

Natural roach repellent is a great way to treat a cockroach issue around your home without having negative effects on the inhabitants you welcome into your space.

Essential oils are an example of natural cockroach control.

Cockroach repellent doesn't have to be harsh chemicals for it to be effective pest control.

Things You Might Already Have in Your Home

Some common household items are surprisingly effective to repel roaches. Things around your home already might be able to be used as a natural roach repellent.

Things like bay leaves, mint oil, coffee grounds, fabric softener, and garlic powder can all provide natural cockroach control.

Pest control for a cockroach issue may be easier to deal with than you originally thought.

Specialized Supplies

Some items that you may not have on hand that can be used as cockroach repellents are boric acid, tea tree oil, neem bait, eucalyptus oil, citrus oil, and basic insecticides.

These are only 'specialized' supplies because they are less likely to be kept on hand in a home.

If you do not have these things readily available, they are easy to obtain just about anywhere you shop.

DIY Solutions

Natural cockroach repellent is a great way to get rid of the cockroaches in your house without dealing with some of the harsh side effects that chemical insecticides can produce. If you are looking for a non-toxic way to repel cockroaches naturally, consider the options below.

Some methods to repel cockroaches are as easy as finding things already located within your home to use. Here are just a few things that have proven to be effective and how to use them.


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1. Bay Leaves

To use the bay leaves, simply take the bay leaves and place them around your home in the areas you have seen the cockroaches linger, areas like the kitchen. Be sure to put one or two bay leaves under your garbage can, inside your cupboards, below the stove, and behind the refrigerator.

2. Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint oil or peppermint extract is another method to repel a cockroach problem rather than the option to kill roaches.

To repel cockroaches, mix a solution of two parts water, one part white vinegar, and 10 drops of peppermint essential oil into a spray bottle and spray the mixture around the affected areas of your home.

Other essential oils can also be effective in a similar way, as you can see below.

3. Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds are another natural way to deal with a cockroach issue.

By mixing coffee grounds and water in a jar, you can create a trap to drown the cockroaches.

Place the grounds and liquid in a jar, poke some holes in the jar lid, and wait for the roaches to take the bait.

4. Fabric Softener

To use this pest control method to eliminate rather than repel a cockroach, mix one cup of water with one and a half cups of fabric softener in a spray bottle and spray it on places where you have seen the roaches crawling.

This method does rely on direct contact with the roaches, so make sure to pick a heavily populated spot.

5. Cocoa Powder and Boric Acid

For a pest control problem like roaches, a combination of cocoa powder and boric acid can be used.

Mix equal parts boric acid and powder together, add a little flour and water. This creates a doughy substance. The cocoa attracts the cockroaches like food, the boric acid kills them, and the flour and liquid help turn it into the doughy substance.

Distribute this 'dough' throughout your home in areas where you have seen a cockroach cluster.

6. Citrus Oil

citrus oil

This essential oil is a great cockroach repellent since they can't stand the smell of the oil.

Pest control has never smelled so good!

7. Baking Soda

If you mix baking soda with sugar, the sugar will attract the cockroaches, and the baking soda will kill them.

8. Catnip

Catnip can be an extremely effective natural roach repellent. This plant has the same active ingredient as mint, so the same properties in mint that repel roaches also make catnip so effective.

Placing tiny bags of catnip around your house in the spots where you have seen roaches should keep them away.

9. Garlic Powder

Sprinkling this around your home is an effective, if not smelly, roach repellent. Roaches hate the smell of garlic and will avoid it.

10. Boric Acid and Sugar

Boric acid and sugar act the same way that cocoa and boric acid do. The cocoa lures them in, and the boric acid exterminates them.

11. Clovite

Clovite is an equine vitamin supplement that happens to be toxic to roaches. Put it in an open area overnight, and you should wake up to exterminated roaches, depending on how many are in your house.

12. Oil of Neem

Neem oil is great for keeping roaches from reproducing. This effectively reduces the number of them infesting your house, so you have less to exterminate.

13. Tea Tree Oil

Another on our list of essential oils is tea tree oil. The smell of the oil is tolerable to humans, but not to roaches.

14. Clove Oil

Clove essential oils are another option that smells good to humans but awful to roaches. Mix this with water and vinegar and spray!

15. Diatomaceous Earth

Sprinkle this powder around your home in the areas you have seen cockroaches.

The cockroaches think the diatomaceous earth is something to eat and even take it back to the main nest to feed the rest. Since the earth actually wears down the roaches' exoskeleton, this should also help fight your roach issue from where it is originating.


Speak With a Pest Control Expert Today!

Call 866-501-2444

How to Get Rid of Cockroaches

Natural roach killing methods like the ones we have listed above can help you eliminate the pests that have invaded your home.

What to Do If You Can't Get Rid of Roaches

If you can't deal with them on your own, it's time to call professionals like the ones at 24H Pest Pros.

What 24h Pest Pros Can Do for You

This pest control company has a long history of taking care of dilemmas, just like you are facing now. We can take care of any pest issues you may be experiencing.

No roach stands a chance against us!

Why 24H Pest Pros

We are a company of friendly people who treat your house like our own home when we sweep for and eliminate bugs. We provide efficient pest control for all cockroach-related annoyances!

Our Other Services

We provide other pest control services besides just cockroach problems. We deal with other insects, like bed bugs in your home.

If you want a company that provides excellent customer service, pests hate, and people love, you should call 24H Pest Pros. Call us if you have bed bugs or any other pest issue!

About The Author:

Meet Mark Calhoun, a seasoned pest control expert in the realm our pest control company. With over 10 years of dedicated experience and Managing Editor. His primary mission is to furnish you with precise and invaluable DIY insights, ensuring your home remains pest-free while aiding you in distinguishing various household pests.
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