Cockroaches are a common pest that can be very hard to eliminate. They can enter, hide, eat and begin breeding in your home. And while one or two roaches in your house can be expected, you have a big problem if you see them scurrying in your home.
Roaches can transmit diseases and spread germs all over your house. Also, remember that roaches can multiply rapidly, and failure to eliminate them will result in an infestation.
The usual way to get rid of them is to find their sources, get rid of food and water sources, clean your home and call an expert. However, if you are a DIY enthusiast who loves an all-natural and chemical-free roach elimination process, use essential oils to repel roaches.
Keep reading this guide to learn the common essential oils you can use to kill and repel roaches.
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Benefits Of Essential Oils That Repel Or Kill Roaches
Essential oils have been in use since ancient times for therapeutic purposes. However, these oils go beyond the soothing feeling and sweet fragrance. Essential oils can effectively repel and get rid of roaches in your home.
These oils are easy to purchase, eco-friendly, and easy to use. Also, most oils have a lower toxicity level when compared to chemical pesticides and bug sprays. Besides, they smell so good.
How Essential Oil Works On Roaches
Various essential oils have been proven to deter roaches. Some include eucalyptus, tea tree, and peppermint oils. However, before using any of the oils against roaches, it is crucial to research the right one for your needs and use it precisely.
The chemicals found in some essential oils have been found to deter roaches or even kill them. These oils confuse the creatures and keep them away from certain areas of your home.
Additionally, not all essential oils are effective in killing roaches. Besides, there are variables you can modify to make the essential oil of your choice more powerful. For instance, you can combine essential oils or use them in high amounts.
Essential Oil Caution For Pet Owners
Essential oils might be harmless to humans. However, some are toxic to pets. These oils are usually fatty scented compounds derived from several plants. They are distilled into a wide range of concentration. So, the toxicity of the essential oil will vary on its concentration.
Some essential oils that are toxic to cats are peppermint, clove, cinnamon, tea tree, eucalyptus, and Ylang Ylang oils. So, keep them away from your pets and contact your veterinarian as soon as you suspect they have been exposed to the essential oil.
Additionally, it will be best to consult a veterinarian before using any essential oil around your pet.
What To Expect When Using Essential Oils That Repel Roaches
You should expect your house to smell nice when using essential oils that repel roaches. However, the scent will depend on the type of oil you are using.
On the other hand, depending on the infestation, you might have to use more than one essential oil to get rid of them. You can also use combined treatments like placing baits and using pesticides on the exterior part of your home.
Downsides Of Using Essential Oils That Repel Roaches
Essential oils, just like perfumes, fade away with time. Therefore, you will have to reapply them before they do so. Also, not all essential oils used against roaches are safe near kids and pets. Therefore, always ensure you read the labels before using any essential oil.
Essential Oils That Repel Roaches
How to Use Lavender Oil to Repel Roaches
Lavender oil is an everyday essential oil used to induce a feeling of calm and relaxation. This oil can also be used in conjunction with others to repel roaches effectively. That said, there are many recipes you can try.
Lavender Spray
The best way to use lavender against roaches is by making a spray. To do so, you will need:
- 15-20 drops of lavender oil
- ¾ cup of water
Mix the two and spray the solution in areas with roach activity. This includes your kitchen drawers and cabinets, window sills, under your refrigerator, beds, and stoves.
Cotton balls
Alternatively, you can use cotton balls soaked in lavender oil to deter roaches in your home.
You will need:
- Cotton balls
- Ten drops of lavender oil
- Water, white vinegar, or rubbing alcohol
Mix the liquids and soak the cotton balls in the mixture. Squeeze the cotton balls to get rid of any extra liquid and place them strategically in areas of roach activity.
For more detail, check out our complete lavender cockroach guide.
Cypress Oil for Roaches
Cypress oil is derived from the Mediterranean cypress and is an excellent roach repellent. Besides, this oil has been used for many years to fight infections, detox the body, and help the respiratory system.
Using Cypress Oils to Deter Roaches
To use cypress oil against roaches, you will need:
- Eight drops of cypress oil
- Half a cup of water
- Ten drops of peppermint oil
Peppermint is optional, depending on the size of the infestation you have. Combine these ingredients in a spray bottle and spritz every spot in your house where you have seen roaches.
Tea Tree Oil for Roaches
Tea tree oil has many health benefits. However, one of the most outstanding qualities is its ability to deter pests, including ants, roaches, and other stinging insects.
Using Tea Tree Oil to Repel Roaches
Like most essential oils, you can mix tea tree oil with water and white vinegar to get a robust roach-repellent solution. Alternatively, you can mix it with other essential oils to kill and deter roaches.
Read More: Complete Guide to Using Tea Tree Oil Against Roaches
Citronella Grass Oil for Roaches
Citronella is a natural pest repellent that has been in use for many years. However, unlike other pest control methods, this essential oil works by masking scents that draw roaches to your home. That said, you can use citronella oil, an essential oil derived from the leaves and stems of Cymbopogon, a species of lemongrass, to deter roaches.
How to Use Citronella to Repel Roaches
Citronella is very effective when used in high concentrations. So, place several drops of it in your cupboards, walls, kitchen drawers, and pantry.
On the other hand, you can make a citronella-infused soap solution and use it on your exterior walls. You will need:
- Soap
- Water
- Citronella oil
Soap water is an excellent roach killer, so mixing it with citronella oil makes an excellent roach repellent. Spray the mixture in your foundation or any crack on the wall.
Catnip Oil for Roaches
Catnip, sometimes referred to as cat mint, is a perennial herb in the mint family. Traditionally, this plant was grown to give to cats. However, catnip is a strong insect repellent.
Prepare a mixture by mixing a few drops of catnip oil, one-part water, and one-part white vinegar or rubbing alcohol. Also, you can increase its efficiency by adding peppermint or rosemary oil.
Cedar Oil to Deter Roaches
Cedar oil, also known as cedarwood essential oil, is a natural, safe, and excellent roach repellent. This oil works on roaches and doesn’t affect beneficial insects like bees and butterflies.
Making Cedarwood Oil Spray
You will need:
- Water
- Cedarwood oil
Fill three-quarters of a spray bottle with water, add 20 drops of cedar oil and mix well. Next, spritz the mixture on areas with roach activities and anywhere roaches might use to enter your home.
Essential Oils That Kill Roaches
Although some essential oils can only deter roaches, others are toxic enough to kill German cockroaches when applied in high concentration.
Here are a few essential oils that you can use to kill cockroaches:
- Peppermint essential oil
- Oregano oil
- Eucalyptus
How to Use Peppermint Essential Oil to Kill Roaches
Peppermint oil is both a natural roach repellent and a cockroach killer. You can also use peppermint essential oil to kill bed bugs too. According to the National Library of Medicine, this mint oil can kill both American and German cockroaches when they get into contact.
To prepare your peppermint for roaches, mix ten drops of peppermint oil with water and use a spray bottle to spray the mixture on counters, walls, and other areas with cockroach activity.
Alternatively, you can wet cotton balls with water and peppermint oil and place them along walls, in cupboards, and in closets.
Using Oregano Oil to Eliminate Roaches
Oregano essential oil is very effective in repelling and killing cockroaches. Moreover, its effectiveness can last for a week or more after application.
To prepare oregano oil for roaches, mix several drops of this essential oil with water and spray the mixture in areas where you might have seen roaches.
Reapply the treatment frequently and continue for another two weeks even when the roach infestation seems to have ended.
How to Use Eucalyptus Essential Oil to Eradicate Cockroaches
Eucalyptus oil has a fresh fragrance that is good at repelling roaches. The strong scent lasts for weeks and confuses the cockroaches.
While eucalyptus oil is a good roach repellent, it has also been proven toxic to roaches. This makes it an excellent natural roach killer.
This oil is potent, and you’ll only need to use a few drops of it to mix with water. Next, spray the mixture in areas where you suspect roaches are hiding.
Use Essential Oils to Kill Cockroaches in Your Home
Cockroaches can be among those pests that you can bring home easily. They can also gain access to your house through packages and drain pipes leading to your home. They hide when they enter your home, and you may not notice their presence.
But if you’ve just seen a roach and suspect there could be more, use the above essential oils to repel and kill them naturally.