Roaches are a nuisance for everyone. They are creepy, crawly, and above all, unhygienic.
It’s no secret that roaches can be a real nuisance, and getting rid of them is often challenging.
But did you know that certain smells can help keep them away? Yes, you read that right!
There are a few smells that roaches despise. Try experimenting with different smells if you want a natural solution to keep roaches away.
Certain smells can be toxic for roaches as well. These smells include:
- Peppermint oil
- Citronella candles
- Bay leaves
- Thyme
- Lemon
In this article, we will discuss some of the best smells that are known to kill roaches and can be used as an effective pest control method.
5 Scents That Keep Roaches Away
Here are some scents that will help repel the roaches:
1. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil has a very eye-watering yet fresh scent. Thus making it the perfect option for repelling roaches.
Just add around 10 drops of peppermint oil in 2 parts of water. Mix it and then transfer the liquid to a spray bottle. You can also add 1 part of vinegar for a more potent effect.
Once complete, spray the mixture in all the affected areas around your house.
Peppermint oil will not kill the roaches but keep them away from your residence.
2. Citronella Candles
This is another natural option for repelling roaches. The citronella’s strong smell will keep the roaches away from your home.
Just dilute the oil in water. Then soak cotton balls in the mixture. Once soaked, place the balls near areas with suspected roaches to repel them.
Alternatively, you can also use citronellic acid derived from lemongrass.
3. Bay Leaves
Bay leaves can also be used as a roach repellent. It contains an organic chemical named eucalyptol that repels insects.
It would be best if you had fresh bay leaves. Crush them into a paste. Then spread these crushed leaves around roach outlets. Make sure the leaves are in wall cracks and crevices.
Bay leaves are not harmful to humans at all. So you can place them anywhere. Roaches won’t be able to stand it and will be forced to leave the area.
4. Thyme
Ever heard of the herb thyme?
You must have used it in cooking. But did you know that thyme has a chemical known as carvacrol that roaches can’t stand!
Just like other solutions, thyme also comes in an essential oil form. You can dilute that in water to create a roach-repellent spray.
The other way is to plant thyme in your house. It’s ideal for people who don’t have roaches in their houses but also want to avoid them coming inside.
You can also sprinkle dried and crushed thyme in places where roaches are so that they run away.
5. Lemon
Roaches hate the acidic smell of lemons. To get rid of roaches in your house, create a roach repellent using lemons.
Take four lemons and add them to half a gallon of water. Then using that liquid, scrub the surfaces of your house. You can also place lemon peels in spots where you suspect roaches. One such place is under the sink.
Experts claim that lemon scent is the most effective smell that keeps roaches away.
Conclusion
Using smells to repel roaches is a practical and natural solution to help keep your home and garden safe from these pests.
While many commercial products on the market can be used to eliminate roaches, natural methods such as essential oils may prove a more sustainable choice.
With careful research and experimentation, you will find a combination of smells that effectively repel and even kill roaches.
Try some of the smells suggested above, and let us know your thoughts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Attracts Roaches to Your Home?
There are a few things that can attract roaches to your home. One is food sources, such as crumbs on the floor or counters, garbage cans that have not been emptied, pet food left out, etc.
Roaches are also attracted to moisture, so leaks or standing water in your home can be problematic.
Finally, roaches are attracted to darkness and hiding places, so cluttered areas or storage boxes full of clutter can give them precisely what they want.
Can Dettol Kill Roaches?
Chloroxylenol is a strong-smelling and non-toxic disinfectant that is used in Dettol. So yes, we can say that Dettol has the power to repel roaches at an impressive rate.