Roaches are the unpleasant little creatures seen in different parts of homes. The sight of roaches is concerning because they multiply in no time and carry germs which spread diseases. Also, once roaches invade your home, they give a tough time to get rid of them; hence, it's vital to think of appropriate ways to keep them at bay. However, the common question every homeowner asks themselves is "How to get rid of roaches"? It's always good to opt for environmentally friendly and natural solutions to keep a check on their entry. In this blog, we discuss different options to prevent the entry of roaches into your homes.
Smell Which Cockroaches Hate
Cockroaches have a strong sense of smell due to their strong sensory system, which helps them survive in different conditions. Here is the list of smells which roaches hate to be around:
Lavender
Roaches hate the smell of lavender, so it's used to keep roaches away. You may use lavender either by keeping potted plants or using lavender essential oil. The best way to use oil is to diffuse it or wipe the space using a cloth with a few drops of oil in it.
Citronella
This is known to deter cockroaches due to its strong smell. Moreover, it also keeps insects away from your home. The most effective way to use citronella is to burn citronella candles or grow citronella plants in the garden.
Catnip
Catnip can keep roaches away from your home because roaches hate the smell of catnip plants. The simplest way to use it is to keep a catnip plant on the windowsill and prevent its entry into the kitchen.
Mint
Mint is immensely loved by humans and equally hated by roaches due to its smell. There are two ways to use mint to deter roaches: use cleaning products with a minty smell or grow mint plants in the garden.
Pine
Just like many other options, pine is another way to keep roaches away from your home. Pine can be used in two different ways- using cleaning supplies like Pine-Sol or burning pine-scented candles in and around the house.
Citrus
Citrus scents like orange and lemon are known to repel roaches because they don't like the smell of these scents. There are various methods to use this as a deterring agent: keep a small bowl of lemon juice on the kitchen counter, place lemon peels around the kitchen or wherever you suspect their entry and diffuse citrus scents in the kitchen and bathroom, where they are mostly found active.
Garlic
Roaches hate garlic due to its pungent smell, so using garlic to restrict roaches' entry into your home is an effective yet simple way. The best way to use garlic to maximise its effect to deter roaches is to crush garlic cloves and keep them around the areas where you suspect roaches, or use garlic in everyday cooking.
Chrysanthemums
One of the natural ways to keep roaches away is to grow chrysanthemum flowers in pots in the backyard garden. It will act as a natural agent to ward off roaches effectively from the garden.
Oregano
This is one of the most effective and simple ways to keep a check on roach infestation. All you have to do is pour a few drops of oregano oil into a bottle, pour water, shake it well and spray around the infested areas.
Cucumbers
Roaches dislike cucumber, so place cucumber peels in a bowl in the kitchen. It will deter roaches from entering your house.
Eucalyptus
Cockroaches are known to hate eucalyptus scent, so it can be used to repel cockroaches. You can either hang fresh eucalyptus in the shower or diffuse eucalyptus oil in the rooms, such as the kitchen and bathroom, where they invade.
How to Use the Scents Effectively to Deter Roaches?
It is a proven fact that roaches hate the smell of mint, eucalyptus, oregano and many other scents mentioned in this blog, but how you should use it is important for optimum impact. Here are the ways to use the scents:
Spray the Right Amount of Oil- Preparing the mixture with a few drops of oil and water and spraying around the infested areas of the house, like around the drain, under the sink and inside the cupboards, is an effective way to deter roaches.
Use Cotton Balls- Cotton ball hacks work well. Simply soak cotton balls in essential oil and keep them in areas such as shady corners or near garbage bins.
Add Oil to Mop Water- Adding a few drops of scented oil to the mop water is an easy hack to create a barrier for roaches.
Use Peels and Herbs- Another natural and cost-effective hack is to use peels or herbs in the kitchen cabinets or pantry shelves and replace them regularly to maintain their effectiveness.
Diffuse the Oil- Use thyme, oregano or rosemary oil in a diffuser to spread fragrances all around the suspected areas where roaches have invaded.
Conclusion
Keeping cockroaches away from your home is a task, and once you know the various smells they hate, the task gets easier. The different smells discussed in this blog work effectively with minimal effort.
