Cockroaches are not only some of the most common household pests in the United States, but they are also some of the most hated. These pests are unsanitary, smelly, and even dangerous to your health.
If you’re dealing with cockroaches, you might be wondering about the best methods to get rid of them. Along with using the most popular methods of removal like repellents, traps, and insecticides, did you know you can also use what smells repel cockroaches to get these pests to leave you alone?
The best part is that using what smells repel cockroaches is often safe to use around your family and pets.
In today’s article, we are going to talk about what smells repel cockroaches as well as other tips and tricks for keeping these nasty pests at bay. Let’s get started!
Contents
But First, What Are Cockroaches?
Cockroaches are common pests that infiltrate homes and buildings.
Cockroaches are among the most common household pests, as we mentioned above. They can be found in all 50 states and have adapted to living with humans and in human dwellings like homes, commercial buildings, restaurants, and even hospitals. The best way to control cockroaches is to understand their behavior, habits, and needs.
These pests are versatile insects that have adapted to live in almost every environment on Earth. There are more than 4,000 species of cockroaches worldwide and approximately 30 species can be found in the United States. Only four species are considered pests in the United States, however.
These species include the American cockroach, the German cockroach, the Oriental cockroach, and the brown-banded cockroach. All four of these species are nocturnal (which means they are active at night) but will come out during the day if they’re disturbed or hungry enough.
Cockroach infestations can easily be identified by the presence of dead or dying cockroaches or egg casings on floors, walls, or ceilings of structures or apartments. The most common sign of a cockroach infestation is when cockroaches congregate in areas where food is present such as kitchens, food pantries, or garbage bins.
Though they are not venomous, cockroaches can be dangerous to your health. They can contaminate food with bacteria and other germs when they crawl on it or walk through it with their legs, wings, or body parts. This can lead to food-borne illnesses like salmonella and e. Coli. People with sensitivities may even have allergic reactions when coming into contact with cockroach allergens (proteins from cockroach bodies). These allergens can cause reactions such as hives and swelling of the skin or airways in some people. Young children or the elderly with asthma may have worsened symptoms when they enter areas where a cockroach infestation is prevalent.
For this reason alone, it’s very important to get rid of cockroaches if you know you have them using what smells repel cockroaches as well as other methods you might have at your disposal.
Keep reading to learn more.
What Are Cockroaches Attracted To Inside Homes
Roaches are attracted to sweets, greasy foods, and scratches.
Cockroaches are attracted to the same things you are. They like food, water, and shelter. Cockroaches reproduce rapidly and can become a problem if they aren’t controlled. Some common food sources for cockroaches include pantry foods, fruits left out on the counter, food particles and crumbs from dirty dishes left out overnight, garbage bins, pet food, and sweets like sugar or candy.
These pests are also highly attracted to water sources. They are fond of warm, moist environments such as underneath sinks or behind refrigerators where food spills or water leaks may accumulate unseen by human eyes.
Cockroaches are also attracted to light and will try to enter a home through cracks and openings around windows and doors after sunset. Once inside a home or apartment, cockroaches can quickly infest an entire building.
If you have cockroaches in your home, you’re not alone. As we mentioned above, cockroaches can be found in homes, apartments, hotels, hospitals, schools, and commercial buildings. They are most active at night when they feed on a wide range of foods and they can survive on almost any food source you can imagine.
A cockroach infestation occurs when large numbers of cockroaches invade an area where they congregate together creating an unsanitary environment for humans and animals alike. The presence of cockroaches indicates that there could be a serious problem with sanitation within the building creating an ideal environment for the spread of disease-causing bacteria such as salmonella which can cause diarrhea and vomiting in humans along with other diseases such as dysentery or typhoid fever, which may be fatal if not treated.
Luckily, there are many methods you can use to help repel cockroaches and prevent them from becoming a problem in your home, and one of those methods is using what smells repel cockroaches.
What Smells Repel Cockroaches?
Though they can be tough to get rid of, there are many smells cockroaches hate.
It can be difficult to find a good way to repel cockroaches in your home, but using what smells to repel cockroaches can be a good start. Cockroaches have a very sensitive sense of smell, but unfortunately using scent alone to get rid of these pests may not be enough. Still, if you use the right combination of methods, you may be able to repel cockroaches for good using what smells repel cockroaches.
But why do certain smells repel cockroaches?
Cockroaches have a very keen sense of smell. They use this sense to find food and mates, as well as to avoid predators. Certain odors can trigger an instinctual response that causes them to run away from the source of the odor.
In fact, cockroaches don’t just dislike certain smells; they actually have an aversion to them. They avoid these scents because they are toxic or cause irritation. Some of the most effective scents for repelling cockroaches include:
- Citrus
- Mint
- Citronella
- Thyme
- Basil
- Pine
- Cinnamon
- Bay Leaves
- Eucalyptus
Let’s read on to learn more about how to use the above scents for what smells repel cockroaches.
Citrus
Though delicious to humans, cockroaches can’t stand the smell of citrus.
Citrus is a type of fruit that comes from trees belonging to the genus Citrus. There are over 100 species of citrus fruits found all over the world. The most common types include oranges, lemons, grapefruits, and limes. The juice from these fruits contains large amounts of citric acid which makes them very effective against insects like cockroaches.
Citrus has been used as an insecticide for thousands of years because it contains high amounts of citric acid which can be toxic to insects like cockroaches if ingested or applied directly to their bodies. What makes the smell so effective is that it irritates the stomach lining, which causes a lot of discomfort for these insects and leads them to leave their infested areas immediately after smelling the scent of citrus fruit.
If you have cockroaches in your home, there are several ways that you can repel them using what smells repel cockroaches and using citrus especially.
One popular method for what smells repel cockroaches is to plant citrus trees around the outside perimeter of your house to keep them away from entering through holes in the foundation or walls. Citrus trees contain natural oils called limonene which repel insects such as spiders and cockroaches because they smell similar to peppermint oil. This method will only work if you have an open space around your house where you can plant the tree so that it’s visible from the exterior of your home.
Another way to use what smells repel cockroaches is by making a homemade citrus spray that contains lemon juice and dish soap. This spray will kill any roaches that come into contact with it as well as prevent more from entering into your home because they will not want to cross over this barrier again.
To make this spray, combine two cups of water with one juice of a lemon. You can also boil the peel of a lemon or orange and even add citrus oil to the bottle as well for some extra power. Then spray this around your home to prevent roaches from coming inside.
Mint
Growing mint indoors can help repel cockroaches.
Mint is an herb that can be used for what smells repel cockroaches. It comes from a plant that is native to Europe and Asia but has now spread across North America as well. It is commonly used in cooking and herbal medicine because of its strong aroma, taste, and medicinal properties.
If you’re looking for what smells repel cockroaches, look no further than mint. Mint has been used for centuries by humans to repel pests like cockroaches from their homes or businesses because it smells so strong and unpleasant to pests while also smelling fresh and pleasant for people.
The fresh leaves of mint contain menthol and other volatile oils which give it its distinctive smell which is so overpowering that even humans can smell it from far away. As we mentioned above, cockroaches have a very sensitive sense of smell which they use to find food sources, mates, etc., so they are naturally repelled by anything that smells strong like mint leaves.
Citronella
Citronella produces a powerful odor that pests cannot stand.
Another scent you can use when looking for what smells repel cockroaches is Citronella. Citronella is a type of grass that grows throughout Asia, Europe, and Africa. The grass produces a very strong scent when it is burned, which is why it is often used as a mosquito repellent.
Like mosquitoes, cockroaches also have a very strong sense of smell. They can even detect their prey from up to 50 feet away by smelling their pheromones alone! The good news is that they also have an aversion to citronella. Because of this aversion to citronella, many homeowners use citronella candles or oils in their homes to repel cockroaches away from their property.
You can also plant citronella in an effort to keep them at bay. Citronella plants are easy to grow indoors or outdoors in your garden. To grow citronella indoors, simply place seeds on top of moist soil and cover with about 1/4 inch of potting soil or compost mix, then keep moist until seedlings appear in about two weeks. Planting citronella outdoors requires slightly more effort but it is still relatively simple to grow with a bit of dedication.
Thyme
Thyme is a popular herb known to repel pests like roaches.
Thyme is a perennial plant that can be used for what smells repel cockroaches. It belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae). It grows in warm climates and is spread by underground stems. The leaves are fragrant and have a distinctive flavor when added to soups, stews, and sauces.
Thyme is another type of plant on our list of what smells repel cockroaches. This is an herb that grows in many places around the world and repels a number of pests, not just roaches.
The reason thyme is so powerful as what smells repel cockroaches is that it contains thymol, which roaches have a strong aversion to. This compound is also found in other plants such as mint and rosemary. It has been proven to not only repel cockroaches, but also spiders, ants, and flies.
However, the plant itself is not enough to keep them away, but if you use thyme oil, it can work well.
The best way to use thyme for cockroach control is as a spray. You can make your own homemade thyme spray by adding about 1/4 cup of dried thyme leaves to 2 cups of water in a glass jar and shaking vigorously until the leaves are completely broken up and dissolved in the water.
Then add 20 drops of citronella essential oil or thyme oil and shake again. Shake before each use. Thyme oil is toxic to insects and can also help repel other pests like ants and fleas.
Basil
Basil is an herb commonly used in Italian dishes, but it is also known for repelling roaches.
Basil is a plant that can be used for many different things, and it’s also on our list for what smells repel cockroaches. Of course, basil can also be used as an herb in many different recipes, as well as an insect repellent to repel cockroaches.
There are a few different ways that you can use Basil for what smells repel cockroaches. One way is by planting Basil in your garden or flower beds around the outside of your house. Another way is by growing Basil in pots or planters on the inside of your house near windows or doors where cockroaches are coming in from outside. You can also make a homemade spray using only two ingredients: water and fresh basil leaves!
To make your own roach repellent spray using water and basil leaves for what smells repel cockroaches, follow the below instructions:
1) Take about 2 cups of fresh basil leaves and put them in a blender or food processor.
2) Add 2 cups of water to these leaves and blend them together until they form a smooth paste.
3) Pour this mixture into an empty spray bottle and shake well before each use.
Pine
Pine trees contain an organic chemical compound that is repulsive to pests like roaches.
When it comes to what smells repel cockroaches, you can add pine to the list.
The smell of pine is one of the most effective ways to repel cockroaches because cockroaches are so sensitive to this scent, and they will avoid it if they can.
The smell of pine comes from a chemical called pinene, and it is on our list of what smells repel cockroaches. This chemical is found in many different plants, including conifers like pines and spruces.
Pine trees are common in many parts of the world. They are also very useful for repelling insects like cockroaches because they produce a lot of pinenes. The more pine trees there are around your home, the better chance you have of preventing cockroaches from moving into your home.
There are a few ways to plant pines around your home if you don’t already have them growing there naturally:
Plant some seedlings in pots or trays and place them around your house wherever you see fit. When they grow big enough, transplant them into the ground where they will continue growing on their own until they reach maturity (about 10 years).
Cinnamon
Cinnamon can work to repel not only roaches but also ants and other pests.
Cinnamon is a spice and it comes from the bark of the Cinnamon tree. It can be used in cooking or as a medicinal herb to treat colds, flu, sore throats, and other ailments.
Cinnamon has also been used for centuries as what smells repel cockroaches, as well as other insects like spiders, ants, and silverfish.
This is because it contains high amounts of cinnamaldehyde. Cinnamaldehyde is a volatile chemical that gives cinnamon its strong scent. Roaches don’t like the smell of cinnamaldehyde at all. In fact, they’ll avoid it at all costs so they won’t come near it or anything that smells like it.
There are several ways you can use cinnamon for what smells repel cockroaches, and one of the ways is by spraying a homemade cinnamon spray on surfaces where roaches hide.
Spray your homemade cinnamon spray on surfaces like countertops, cabinets, and baseboards is an effective way to repel any remaining roaches in your house that haven’t been killed off by other methods yet. The smell alone will help to keep them away from these areas for months after spraying!
You can also spray cinnamon oil directly onto roaches to kill them and repel them. Simply add water and cinnamon essential oil to a spray bottle. Blend well and shake before each use.
Spray the mixture on surfaces where you see cockroaches or where they tend to hide (e.g., baseboards, window sills). Leave the spray in place for several hours before wiping it off with a clean cloth.
Bay Leaves
Bay leaves grow from a tree and can repel a variety of pests.
Bay leaves are also on our list of what smells repel cockroaches, the aromatic leaves of plants in the genus Laurus, are used in cooking to flavor food and as a decorative garnish. The leaves are often dried and used in cooking worldwide, especially in the Mediterranean region. The leaves are also sometimes used to make teas.
So, why are bay leaves on our list of what smells repel cockroaches? Cockroaches are repulsed by the smell of bay leaves, as the scent irritates them and even makes them uncomfortable as they contain a compound called eucalyptol, which is an insect repellent.
If you have a cockroach problem in your house or apartment, it’s a good idea to plant some Bay Leaves around the house or apartment. The Bay Leaves will release their eucalyptol scents throughout your home and repel any cockroaches that may be lurking around.
In addition to planting bay leaves outside of your home or apartment for what smells repel cockroaches, you can also grow Bay Leaves indoors in pots or planters. This will provide additional protection against both flying and crawling insects inside your home or apartment.
Bay Leaf plants can be planted outdoors in pots and planters as well as indoors in terrariums and aquariums. If possible, try to plant them near windows so that they can get plenty of sunlight throughout the day.
Planting Bay Leaves outdoors is fairly straightforward: simply dig a hole into the ground where you want them planted and place each leaf into the soil with its roots facing down towards the ground (facing upwards towards the sky). Once planted, water each leaf thoroughly until water flows out from its bottom hole.
Eucalyptus
You can use the eucalyptus plant to repel roaches or you can use essential oils.
Eucalyptus is a plant that many people have in their homes or gardens. It is great for adding fragrance to your living space, and it can also repel insects and other pests. For this reason, it’s on our list for what smells repel cockroaches.
Eucalyptus is a genus of trees and shrubs from Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea. The leaves contain eucalyptol, which is a natural essential oil that has been used for centuries to repel insects.
When cockroaches are exposed to eucalyptol vapors, they will retreat into their hiding place because they feel threatened by the smell (even if there isn’t anything around to really harm them). This helps eliminate them from your home naturally without using harmful chemicals or pesticides.
You can use eucalyptus as what smells repel cockroaches in a few ways. One way is by planting it around your yard and home. Eucalyptus trees grow well in most climates but prefer well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight exposure. They make great windbreaks so you can plant them near your house or patio for extra protection against the elements.
You can also make your own eucalyptus spray using the eucalyptus oil you purchase from the store. Simply combine two cups of water with 10 to 15 drops of the essential oil and spray it around areas you suspect roach activity.
Best Products Using What Smells Repel Cockroaches
When it comes to repelling cockroaches, it’s important to use a variety of methods.
When it comes to cockroaches, there are many ways to repel them from your home. Along with using what smells repel cockroaches, we also suggest using some common products to help get rid of them. This is especially important if you have a severe pest problem, as using what smells to repel cockroaches alone is often not enough to get rid of the pests for good.
Remember, the trick to getting rid of these nasty pests is to find the best products that will work for your situation.
Below are some of the best products to repel cockroaches, according to experts:
Advion Plungers Cockroach Gel
No products found.
Advion Plungers Cockroach Gel may not be on the list of what smells repel cockroaches, but it is a great way to get rid of roaches in conjunction with using what smells to repel cockroaches. The gel works by coming into contact with the pest, which then spreads the gel to other roaches in the nest, eventually killing them. Using gel-like plungers also reduces the need to spray a pesticide throughout your house.
To use this product, apply the Advion Plungers directly around areas you have noticed roach activity. This product can be used for both indoor and outdoor use.
Neatmaster Ultrasonic Pest Repeller
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The Neatmaster Ultrasonic Pest Repeller is a device that can help you get rid of roaches, ants, mosquitoes, and other pests. The ultrasonic sound produced by this product is harmless to humans but it will repel pests.
We like that it can be used not only in homes but also offices, restaurants, and other places where pests are common. It is easy to install and can be placed anywhere near your home or office.
The product comes with a remote control that allows you to change the frequency of sound emitted from the device. This feature enables you to choose the frequency that will repel your target pests.
Harris Roach Tablets
No products found.
Harris Roach Tablets are also not on our list of what smells repel cockroaches, but this is a product that can be used to eliminate roaches in your home or business. The tablets are placed in areas where roaches are likely to travel, such as behind appliances and near drains. The active ingredient in Harris Roach Tablets is boric acid, which works by dehydrating the roaches, causing their bodies to dry out and die.
The best way to control cockroaches with Harris Roach Tablets is to place the tablets near their hiding spots. The product works by dehydrating the roaches, so it’s important that you place it where they will come into contact with it. Place the tablets behind appliances, under sinks, and behind pipes where they can’t be seen easily by humans but still get into contact with them when they move around.
Expert Tips For Repelling Cockroaches All Season Long
Keeping roaches at bay all year requires commitment and time, but it is possible.
Cockroaches are one of the most common pests that homeowners have to deal with. They can be found in homes, restaurants, and schools across the country. They can cause a lot of damage and even be a hazard to your health and the health of your loved ones.
Remember, cockroaches love to feed on food scraps, grease, and pet food. In addition, they also eat other dead insects and animals that may have died in your home. Cockroaches can carry bacteria, viruses, and germs that can make you sick if you come into contact with them.
A surefire way to keep cockroaches out of your home is by using a cockroach repellent spray or powder, like some of those listed above, along with what smells repel cockroaches.
These products are usually made from citronella oil or peppermint oil, which are natural ingredients that repel roaches but don’t harm humans or pets.
If you want to keep cockroaches out of your home all year long, follow these expert tips:
First, seal off all entry points into your home: Cockroaches need an opening of just 1/16th of an inch wide to squeeze through, so make sure there are no cracks or gaps around windows or doors where they might be able to get inside your home.
You should also make sure that pipes leading into your house are covered properly, and that you repair any leaks around your home quickly.
Avoid leaving dirty dishes in the sink overnight, store your garbage properly, and keep pet food stored in airtight containers when pets are not actively eating.
If you do have a severe cockroach problem and you find that using the products and what smells repel cockroaches is not working, it’s best to contact a professional pest control expert for help.
We hope this has been a helpful guide on what smells repel cockroaches! Now we want to hear from you. Have you ever made a recipe at home to repel insects? Share your story with us in the comments below.
Jack founded our blog after two decades of working in the pest control industry. His vast experience dealing with a wide array of pests allows him to diagnose issues quickly and get to the heart of pest problems quickly and effectively. He has serviced more than 2,000 homes over his career and there is hardly any pest situation that he has not seen before.