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During the years I lived in New Orleans, local homeowners always had the same thing to say when it came to roach problems: creepy crawling critters are a fact of life in an old city, so get used to em'. Unfortunately, after my wife had one scamper across her face in the middle of the night, we were determined to turn that fact into an opinion. So, we started looking around for solutions in the form of natural roach repellents.
Roaches can be attracted to a lot of different things, from countertop food sources like onions, dirty dishes, or standing water sources. German cockroaches and American cockroaches are some of the most common species. They are hungry, and it doesn't take much for these bugs to invite themselves into your home.
If you hate chemicals and don't want to use toxic methods to solve your bug problem, don't resign yourself to living with them. There are effective natural remedies out there. Some come pre-bottled, others are DIY. If you have to become an amateur exterminator, then these are the safe ways to do it.
Best Natural Cockroach Repellents
For as many things that attract roaches, it can be a daunting task to find something that pushes them away. Bug blogger the Pest Ranger writes that some cockroach problems can be solved in natural ways. Herbs like crushed bay leaves or catnip can turn roaches away. Unlike me, roaches are even repelled by coffee grounds. The aromatics of certain essential oils will also send bugs backing. Tea tree oil works well, as does peppermint.
1. NATURAL OUST Peppermint Essential Oil Mouse Repellent Spray Bottle - Roach Ant Spider Bug Insect Killer - Eco-Friendly Pest Control to Repel Mice - Humane Repelling Alternative to Trap
- $22
- 4 of 5 stars
- 3,629 reviews
Natural Oust Peppermint spray is a non-toxic insecticide that can repel cockroaches without poisoning your pets or home. Peppermint oil is particularly potent against pests. It works so well that Natural Oust offers a 60-day guarantee for their spray.
Using this method of roach control couldn't be easier. Simply find the most common entry point your bugs are bursting in from (crevices and cracks are a start). Then, point and spray. The essential oil scents will keep away mice too. Most importantly, the safe formula kills bugs without poisoning your home.
This is more than a natural roach repellent, this is an infestation solution.
2. HARRIS Diatomaceous Earth Crawling Insect Killer, 4lb with Powder Duster Included Inside The Bag
- $20
- 4.4 of 5 stars
- 4,850 reviews
I love the easiness and accessibility of home remedies, but they sometimes feel like they're missing something compared to chemical options. The effectiveness of those hardcore, roach killer pesticides that professional pest control companies employ seems so complete. Fortunately, Diatomaceous Earth works with the same success (only without having to fog the place).
As the National Pesticide Information Center details, Diatomaceous Earth has different properties that make it suited for putting bugs to rest. Spread the powder in the dirt around your home, and when the bugs crawl through it, the oils and fats within their exoskeleton will begin to dry out. The chemical reaction is caused by silica. As long as you use food-grade DE, it is non-toxic to humans.
3. 20 Mule Team Borax Natural Laundry Booster 65 Ounce pack of 2
Another DIY solution to solve your cockroach infestation is Borax. Similar to DE, Borax kills cockroaches through dehydration. The difference is that Borax must be ingested by a roach in order to take effect. To use Borax, simply mix it with some roach bait, like sugar. While you won't notice the bugs dying on the spot, you should see a reduction in your infestation within a few weeks.
There are many other natural methods of cockroach control that don't require becoming a certified exterminator. For example, mixing sugar with baking soda can cause gaseous build-ups in cockroaches with a similar effect as Borax. Additionally, roach infestations can be solved with a similar mixture of roach attractants and boric acid.
Whatever you prefer to use as a natural roach repellent, make sure to read the instructions carefully. Never mix chemicals without researching potential effects!
