Getting rid of roaches naturally is a longer process than using pesticides with harsh chemicals, but it’s worth it for the safety of your family and pets. In this article, I will share with you 8 natural ways to repel roaches.
1. Boric Acid
Mix three parts boric acid with one part powdered sugar. The sugar lures the roaches, while the boric acid kills them. Although the boric acid isn’t toxic to people or pets, it can be irritating to the skin, so keep it out of reach of children. Sprinkle it under and behind the refrigerator and stove, under the dishwasher, under the kitchen sink, and into cracks along the edges of cabinets and pantries.
2. Wet Coffee Grounds (Water Tar Trap)
What you’ll need:
2-3 Large glass jars
Wet coffee grounds
Water
2-3 Small cups
Instructions:
Fill the large glass jars about halfway with water.
Place the coffee grounds in the small cups.
Place one small cup inside one large glass jar. Make 2-3 similar set ups with a small cup inside every glass jar.
Place these jars where you see roaches the most.
Roaches will be attracted by the aroma of the coffee and try to enter into the jar.
Once the roaches fall into the water jar, it is nearly impossible for them to escape.
Check the jars daily and discard any dead roaches.
Make new traps daily.
Repeat this process until you discover no sign of roaches within the traps for a couple of days.
3. Liquid Fabric Softener
Roaches breathe through their lower body. When you spray fabric softener on roaches, it will produce difficulty in their breathing and roaches will die due to suffocation.
What you’ll need:
Spray bottle
Water
Fabric softener
Instructions:
Make a spray by mixing 3 parts liquid fabric softener with 2 parts water.
Fill spray bottle with this mixture.
Spray this solution on the roaches; making sure the solution hits the lower mid-region and head of the roach.
In addition, spray this mixture wherever you see evidence of roaches.
4. Ammonia-Water Solution
Ammonia works effectively as a repellent for roaches due to its sharp smell.
What you’ll need:
2 cups of ammonia
1 bucket of water
Instructions:
Add 2 cups of ammonia to the bucket of water.
Wash the hard surfaces of your kitchen and bathroom daily with this solution.
Roaches will leave your home in no time using this method.
5. Catnip
Catnip is a natural repellent to cockroaches. The active ingredient is nepetalactone, which is non-toxic to humans and pets. Small sachets of catnip can be left in areas of cockroach activity. Catnip can also be simmered in a small amount of water to make a “catnip tea” which can be used as a spray to apply around baseboards and behind counters.
Note: This natural repellent should only be used in homes without cats!
Fighting with fleas this summer? Check out our tips for getting rid of them naturally. https://t.co/lE2PoDXWvm pic.twitter.com/nDNx1BM1Cf
— Survival Life (@SurvivalLF) July 28, 2016
6. Listerine Spray
What you’ll need:
Listerine
Water
Dishwashing liquid
Spray bottle
Instructions:
Mix equal parts of water and Listerine to make a solution and add two drops of dishwashing fluid to it.
Add this mixture to a spray bottle and spray areas where you have seen evidence of roaches; also can be sprayed directly on the roaches.
7. Soapy Water – To Kill Roaches On Contact
As I mentioned before, roaches breathe through their body and spraying them with soapy water will suffocate them. What you’ll need:
3 tbsp of dishwashing liquid (preferably regular blue Dawn dishwashing liquid)
Water
Spray bottle
Instructions: Add 3 tbsp of Dawn dishwashing liquid to 4-6 oz of water. Using a spray bottle, spray this mixture directly on roaches to kill them on contact.
The plants in your garden can double as pest control. Click here to learn how —-> https://t.co/lE2PoDXWvm pic.twitter.com/NO7sHuWnTM — Survival Life (@SurvivalLF) July 28, 2016
8. Essential Oils – Citronella, Peppermint, or Lemongrass
Apply a few drops of citronella oil to a few cotton balls – also, consider adding peppermint oil or lemongrass oil as well. Then place the cotton balls in trouble areas such as cupboards or under the sink. You can also make a spray solution by adding a half cup of water and 5 drops of cypress essential oil and 10 drops of peppermint oil. Spray the solution wherever the cockroaches are most active.
Check out my article, How to Repel Pests with Essential Oils, on other pests you can repel using essential oils.
Check out these other great articles on how to naturally repel other insects:
4 Ways to Deter Wasps Naturally
How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs Naturally
11 Ways to Keep Scorpions at Bay
10 Natural Ways to Repel Spiders