Repel roaches is one part of an integrated pest control solution to eliminate roach infestations in your home. If roaches don’t like your home environment, they are less likely to come in and nest in the first place. If you can find roach repellants that don’t repel every human you know, even better.
The following 5 roach repellants could do the trick to making your home the last place a roach wants to live:
Pepper spray – Cockroaches do not like red pepper. So if you spray your kitchen and bathroom surfaces with a solution that contains red pepper, you will avoid those surfaces. An easy recipe to prepare a batch of spray is to mix 2 tablespoons of tobasco sauce (the main ingredients are red pepper and vinegar) with 1 liter of water. Pour into a pump spray bottle and spray onto surfaces. A word of warning, you will be spraying pepper spray into the air. Until the fog settles, you will likely sneeze more than a few times. Consider wearing a mask when applying the spray.
Moth balls – Cockroaches, like moths, do not like the smell of mothballs. A common remedy is to drop a couple of mothballs behind the stove to prevent insects from hanging around. One or two in the cabinet under the sink can also be helpful. Mothballs are not good for humans, so don’t place them near food or food preparation areas.
Cedar Products – Cedarwood oils are an effective natural deterrent to a large number of insects. There are many products available to take advantage of this fact. Look for thin cedar siding that can be used to line drawers and cabinets, cedar balls, blocks, chips, etc. to place in drawers and cabinets, and (of course) cedar boards and panels to line cabinet walls for maximum protection.
Peppermint oil – Peppermint oil is a main ingredient in several non-toxic cockroach sprays. Roaches avoid it, and when they cover themselves with it, they suffocate. The sprays don’t kill as fast as typical poisons, but they are safe to use in the kitchen and around pets and children. You can create a spray, such as pepper spray, by diluting some of Dr. Brauner’s Peppermint Castile Soap in water and then applying it with a spray bottle. I haven’t tested it, but you may be able to create your own roach spray this way if the soap concentration is high enough.
bay leaves – Bay leaves are another shipment that cockroaches avoid. You can pick up a bunch of dried bay leaves in the spice section of any grocery store. Place whole leaves or small bags of shredded leaves in cabinets and cabinets. This is a good option for kitchen cabinets.
With the exception of mothballs, none of these roach repellants contain dangerous chemicals. Try them, in combination with baits, sealants, and diatomaceous earth and boric acid applications to eliminate roaches from your home.
