Pest and Diseases

What Smell Do Roaches Hate The Most

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You can use the highly developed smell senses of roaches against them by releasing the scents they particularly hate to be around. This way, you can get rid of roaches once and for all if applied properly and periodically.

We have brought up this guide introducing several naturally occurring elements that produce potent and strong smells which the roaches extremely hate.

1. Peppermint

Cockroaches do not like the smell of peppermint. The strong repelling scent produced by the peppermint has been found to turmoil the cockroaches. Besides that, some scientific evidence is also found to support the repelling properties of peppermint.

You can simply use diluted peppermint oil placed in a spray bottle and apply it in the locations where the roaches are most active to get rid of them.

2. Lavender

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The scent of Lavender is another natural element that keeps the cockroaches away from your house. You should know that the odor of lavender has been found to create a mask around the surroundings helping to deter the cockroaches.

Cockroaches can’t withstand the strong aromatic smell of lavender. You can simply spray the lavender oil diluting with other natural ingredients around your house to repel the roaches.

3. Eucalyptus

Similarly, you can go for a eucalyptus oil to repel the roaches from your property. Cockroaches do not tend to prefer the unpleasant smell of eucalyptus and they are more likely to escape from such an environment.

It has been suggested to use the diluted eucalyptus oil before applying it to irritate the roaches. You can spray the diluted solution in the potential areas or directly upon them.

4. Citrus (Lemon, Orange, Lime)

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We are pretty sure your kitchen has something from the citrus category such as orange, lemon, and lime. Once you peel these ingredients, the aromatic odor they possess can be used to force back the cockroaches from your property.

You can simply place the citrus peels in the spots where roach infestation is pretty high such as dark and damp areas of your house. Keep in mind to place fresh citrus peels and replace them once the smell weakens!

5. Cinnamon

Cockroaches do hate the smell of cinnamon which is more of a kind of spicy, sweet, and comforting. However, the same aromatic and distinct smell is found to be intolerable to the roaches.

If you spray cinnamon scent around your surroundings, it is believed to create a repelling effect on the cockroaches interfering with their sense of smell and helping to minimize the roach’s infestation around your property.

6. Bay Leaves

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Bay leaves are found to generate aromatic smells that roaches hate. These leaves have been conventionally used by people for ages blending for various culinary purposes and to drive the cockroaches away.

The scent of bay leaves is taken unpleasantly by the roaches and they try to fall back if they smell any of such aromatic and distinct odors in the surroundings, assisting you in keeping your home roaches free.

7. Garlic

Going forward on what smell roaches hate, it would have been surprising if garlic didn’t come on the list. Yes, garlic being a popular culinary ingredient, is also found to be used as a natural repellent against cockroaches.

The pungent smell of garlic is found to irritate the roaches, creating a disturbance in their smelling ability. The odor of garlic if used heavily can become unpleasant to you as well.

8. Cedarwood

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Cedarwood has been found to possess a woody scent, conventionally used to repel moths but these days people are seen using cedarwood to repel the cockroaches as well. Roaches don’t prefer the aromatic smell of cedarwood.

It has been recommended to mist cedarwood oil with water or directly apply cedar oil on the areas which are more likely to harbor the cockroaches. This strong scent is found to stay pretty effective for several days.

9. Catnip

Catnip is an herb belonging to the family of mint, containing a roach deterrent compound such as nepetalactone. It should be noted that catnip doesn’t actually kill or eliminate the cockroaches but it can potentially keep the roaches away from your place.

It has been suggested to place the fresh leaves of catnip in the most anticipated spots around your house or you can simply try spraying the catnip tea in those areas.

10. Neem Oil

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Neem is a popular gardening plant, having several benefits to humans, and is often used as a natural pest repellent. The oil extracted from the leaves of the neem plant is found to force back the cockroaches from your home.

Neem oil is found to have a serious effect on cockroaches and it might kill them if used correctly and properly. Yes, you can take advantage of the bitter taste and garlic/sulfur smell of neem oil to finally eliminate the roach infestation.

11. Citronella Oil

The grassy/floral smell of Citronella oil has been found to contain compounds that are responsible for repelling the roaches away from your place.

Besides that, citronella oil is also a registered plant-based insect repellent verified by the United States. Make the best use of it to keep the roaches at bay!

12. Rosemary Oil

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Cockroaches run away from the smell of rosemary oil. Rosemary oil has been found to generate a strong scent that can eventually kill the cockroaches. Yes, it not only repels the roaches but also acts as a natural pesticide.

Several researchers have proclaimed that you can achieve a 100% mortality rate if you use rosemary oil properly against cockroaches at highly likable locations around your property.

13. Clove

The scent of clove repels the cockroaches. Clove is another strong-smelling aromatic substance that can hinder the sensory receptors of cockroaches. The smell of clove can significantly dominate the surroundings creating a mask, making it difficult for the roaches to navigate.

You can make use of clove oil or a whole clove in the potential areas and can see results within a very short period. Cockroaches will try to escape away from the odorous place as soon as possible.

14. Thyme

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The smell of thyme also produces some sort of pungent and potent smell. Cockroaches having a very sensitive smell sensory can’t withstand the scent thyme is found to generate and try to force back.

Thyme contains an active compound that has been found to create a disturbance in the smell senses of roaches. You can simply spray the diluted thyme in the potential areas to get rid of the cockroaches.

15. Basil

Basil plants or leaves have been found to produce an aromatic and slightly spicy smell around the surroundings. Basil has been popularly used as a bug repellent because of the repelling odor they generate.

In the same way, roaches are also found to deter the basil scent. The odor of basil can significantly interfere with the navigation and smell sensory of roaches, compelling them to fall back from such environments.

Can Cockroaches Smell?

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The straightforward answer to this question is a big yes. Cockroaches are very sensitive in terms of smell. Their well-developed sense of smell is an integral part of their body which is found to help roaches survive.

The keen sense of smell of cockroaches is used by them to detect food and water and navigate the surroundings. Therefore, you can try creating a disturbance in their smell-sensory to drive them away from your place.

Things to Consider While Repelling Roaches with Smells

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1. Concentration

When using smells to repel roaches, concentration is a key factor. The effectiveness of a scent often depends on how strong it is. Higher concentrations of essential oils or pungent substances generally produce more pronounced repellent effects.

2. Application Method

If you are relying on smells to repel insects, you should choose the ideal application method to ensure effectiveness. Options include using sprays, essential oil diffusers, or placing the repellent directly in areas where roaches are active.

3. Frequency of Reapplication

To ensure ongoing protection, establish a routine for reapplication or renewal based on the specific repellent used and its longevity. For example, if you're using essential oil sprays, you might need to refresh the application every few days to a week.

4. Safety

If you have small kids or pets around your home, the use of strong and potent smells can bring issues to their health. Yes, some scents are found to produce irritating effects when ingested or inhaled.

Thus, choosing a non-toxic element for roach repellent is highly recommended, ensuring such elements are placed in a well-ventilated area having decent airflow.

5. Cleanliness

We are pretty sure you are aware of the importance of cleanliness in getting rid of the roach infestation. Therefore, every likeable area where you keep your food such as the kitchen and dining should be kept neat and clean.

In addition to that, it would be best if you develop the habit of cleaning the surrounding area once a week if you are to get rid of roach infestation taking the help of smells.