Nobody likes cockroaches, unless of course you are a frog or a lizard! And once you notice one or two roaches around the home, you can guarantee that there are more hiding away where you cant see them.
There are many ways to get rid of these pesky insects, but in this article we will focus on a natural way of deterring them from hanging around: herbs that repel roaches.
Herbs are also super easy to grow, and are a natural roach repellent. So no excuses now…let’s do this naturally!
Advantages of Using Herbs to Repel Cockroaches
If you have a young family or pets, then you it is only natural that you try and minimize their exposure to dangerous chemicals. While these products are necessary under some circumstances – Pesticides, roach repellents and insect sprays are all full of nasty ingredients that you should avoid using if possible.
Herbs To Use as a Natural Roach Repellent
The following herbs can be used to deter roaches from coming into your home.
Mint
Grab some fresh mint leaves and boil them in a cup of water. Let the solution boil until the water changes to a greenish color and there is a minty aroma.
Allow the solution to cool and then pour it into a spray bottle.
Spray this solution around the house in the areas where you have noticed roaches and anywhere they may hide.
Ideal places to spray your mint insect repellent:
- Under appliances (ovens, dish washers etc)
- Any cracks where roaches may use to access your house
- In corners of rooms
- In kitchen cabinets
- Where food is stored
Bay Leaves
Do bay leaves keep roaches away? Well, as with any natural remedy that answer can be somewhat contentious and can depend on numerous factors. But in our experience, Yes – bay leaves do keep roaches away.
Bay leaves contain compounds that are known to repel insects such as eucalyptol.
Simply place fresh bay leaves around the kitchen, behind appliances, near entry points and any other areas where cockroaches are likely to hang out.
Rosemary
Rosemary is another herb that can be used to repel roaches simply by placing pieces of it around the house.
All you need is to cut your fresh rosemary sprigs into 2-3 inch long pieces and once again put them wherever roaches are likely to go.
Catnip
Want a solution that is backed by science? Well a study by Iowa State University has concluded that the essential oils in catnip is more effective at repelling roaches than DEET (a commonly used insect repellent) is!
Once again all you need to do is place a few leaves around the house in the obvious places and this wonderful herb will keep roaches away.
Garlic
Last but not least in our list of herbs that keep roaches away is Garlic. Seriously, cockroaches HATE garlic.
It is super effective at keeping away those dirty roaches.
All you need is some garlic powder – sprinkle it around the infested areas and leave it!
Alternative Ways To Repel Roaches
If none of the above options work, then you might want to consider using diatomaceous earth. We have a great guide on how to use this handy product here.
Does this work for horrible, giant, flying tree roaches??
Boric a id powder works great (powder not granules) like diatomaceous earth.
Keeps on working forever. They get it on their feet and they lick their feet makes them die from the inside out when they’re back in the nest the other bugs eat them and get sick and die too
(Retype) typo:
8 0z spray bottle
(1) cap of alchohol your choice
(20 )drops of essential oil your choice
(7) 0z of distilled water or filtered water shake well
spray around the outside of the house make sure to get along the walls let dry naturally
Spray around the whole house make sure you spray the wall :
dont saturate walls
No need to soak the walls soaking wet
just one sprits or spray all along the walls:
let dry naturally :
open all windows let house air dry :
@dina what do you mean by alcohol? Like rubbing alcohol?
I am going going and get garlic powder in the morning and spread it all over the kitchen and the counters I hope this works
Did this work?
Whilst not being a herb apparently colloidal silver deters cockroaches and started spraying today – I use 10ppm CS which I make – John
So how do you make this!? I need to enhance my portfolio some! Make a few extra bucks….