A few roaches can quickly multiply and create a huge hygiene problem. So I wasn’t amused when I spotted a roach on my kitchen floor, as I take immense pride in maintaining a clean home.
They are also creepy, especially when they decide it’s time for a fly-by! Luckily, I didn’t have to put up with much of that as I had the perfect weapon to get rid of them.
Peppermint oil is a great essential oil for repelling roaches with its sharp aroma. However, getting the composition right is vital for its effectiveness.
Learn about the cockroach-repelling abilities of peppermint oil, the best ways to mix it, and how to apply it to keep roaches away for good.
Let’s learn more about peppermint oil, its effectiveness against roaches, ways to make excellent peppermint oil mixtures, and how to apply mint oil to drive roaches away.
Roach-Repelling Effects of Peppermint Oil
The peppermint herb is a cross between water mint and spearmint.
Evidence of the use of peppermint oil for various health purposes goes back thousands of years, with records being found from ancient civilizations such as Greece, Rome, and Egypt.
Peppermint oil comes from the leaves and flowering parts of the peppermint herb. This essential oil has been found to help with various digestive issues, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), colds and headaches, muscle pain, itching, and repelling insects, including roaches.
Can Peppermint Oil Repel Roaches?
Peppermint oil’s unmistakable sharp scent is renowned for sending roaches packing. Several studies, including a 2001 Auburn University study, confirmed the solid roach-repelling effects of peppermint oil.
During the 14-day study, peppermint oil eliminated American and German roaches with a jaw-dropping 100% efficacy.
How Does Peppermint Oil Repel Roaches?
Menthone, a compound similar to menthol, gives peppermint oil its unique, minty fragrance. Most mint plants contain Menthone, with the peppermint plant at the helm.
Can Peppermint Oil Kill Roaches?
Peppermint oil isn’t toxic enough to kill roaches. Its magic revolves around the pungent aroma that bugs don’t find comforting and relaxing as humans do for some reason.
There are accounts of peppermint oil with a concentration higher than 3% killing roaches with direct, continuous exposure.
However, such exposure is unlikely since roaches keep their distance from the far-reaching aroma of peppermint oil.
How To Mix Peppermint Oil for Repelling Roaches
I experimented with three different compositions of peppermint oil to curb cockroach activity in my kitchen. Mixing it with water is the most basic method.
I also combined peppermint oil with vinegar and Listerine whenever I needed more potent blends.
Although peppermint oil has a long history of being used as an excellent health remedy, it still has some side effects. These include heartburn, difficulty breathing and speaking, nausea upon inhaling, and skin irritation upon skin contact.
Side effects after ingestion include diarrhea, headaches, and mouth ulcers. Ingesting large amounts of peppermint oil can cause acute renal failure.
Therefore, take protective measures such as wearing a mask and gloves when working with peppermint oil. Also, ensure that kids and pets aren’t around when spraying it. Always remember to store peppermint oil safely away from the reach of children and pets.
1. Peppermint Oil and Water
Combine five to ten drops of peppermint oil per ounce of water before applying the mixture. Keep in mind that it may require multiple applications for the best results.
2. Peppermint and Vinegar
This is one of the most popular peppermint oil combinations due to its high effectiveness. Both the ingredients are cheap, which is another plus.
Start by mixing two parts of water with one part of vinegar. Then add one part of peppermint oil per five parts of water.
For instance, If I’m working with one cup of water (250ml), I’d add 125ml of vinegar followed by 50ml of peppermint oil.
Feel free to increase the amount of peppermint in the mixture up to five times for a stronger cockroach repellant.
3. Peppermint Oil and Listerine
Menthol abundantly found in Listerine works exceptionally alongside the Menthone in peppermint oil.
Mix equal parts of Listerine and water, followed by five to ten drops of peppermint oil, to create a supercharged roach-repelling composition.
I highly recommend this combination for cockroach infestations requiring a more potent repellant.
How To Apply Peppermint Oil
Using peppermint oil was an easy and inexpensive way to scare away roaches from my home. Safety was a high priority since I have a toddler and pets, so it was fantastic that I didn’t have to use chemicals.
1. Using a Spray Bottle
There is no need to complicate the process. Put the peppermint oil mixture into a spray bottle and spray it on counters, walls, and other surfaces where cockroaches roam.
2. Using Cotton Balls
I didn’t want to spray the peppermint oil mix into cupboards, drawers, and closets. So I soaked cotton balls in the mint oil mixture and strategically placed them near areas likelier to have more roach activity.
However, I had to repeat these steps more frequently than spraying as the scent of cotton balls wore off faster.
I highly recommend placing peppermint-soaked cotton balls before going to sleep since roaches usually operate at night.
Summary
Peppermint oil is a great cockroach repellant in addition to its various other uses. I came across many ways to combine it with other substances, such as water, vinegar, and Listerine, with varying results.
It was just a matter of understanding the level of potency my situation required and using the right mixture and mode of application.
Fast forward a few weeks into the future, and I was no longer dealing with the possibility of a roach infestation in my home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take for Peppermint Oil To Kill Roaches?
Only continuous, direct contact with peppermint oil can kill cockroaches, which should take a maximum of 24 hours. However, such contact is difficult to force without catching the roaches to begin with.
Instead, peppermint oil can be easily used to repel cockroaches rather than kill them.
How Do You Dilute Peppermint Oil for Pest Control?
Peppermint oil can be mixed with water, vinegar, and Listerine against pests such as cockroaches. Combining five to ten drops of mint oil with an ounce of water is an excellent recipe.
When mixing with vinegar, mix vinegar and water to a ratio of 1:2. Then combine water and peppermint oil to a ratio of 5:1.
Combining Listerine with peppermint oil and water creates a potent composition.
Mix equal parts of water and Listerine, followed by five to ten drops of peppermint oil, to create a highly effective pest-repellent.
