Discover 10 Smells That Roaches Absolutely Hate

Ah, the dreaded cockroach. These resilient, notorious creatures are what nightmares are made of.

These insects find their way inside your home through every little nook and cranny, making themselves comfortable in your kitchen, where they thrive off crumbs and anything else they can find. And once you have them, they can be very difficult to get rid of. So, the key is prevention.

Preventing a cockroach from entering your home and reproducing is the best way to ensure you never have to Google “how to get rid of a roach infestation without burning my house down.” 

Thankfully, cockroaches can be deterred by a variety of smells. Discover the 10 smells that roaches absolutely hate, including how to use them around your home.

Three Common Cockroaches

There are nearly 70 species of cockroaches found in the United States. And only a handful of those are notorious for infesting homes.

1. German Cockroach

The German cockroach is the most prevalent cockroach worldwide. They are relatively small and range in color from tan to black. This species enters homes in search of food and warmth. And they multiply rapidly due to their speedy reproduction rate.

2. American Cockroach

The American cockroach is the largest species and a very common household pest in the United States. You will find them in dark areas, typically near a bathroom or kitchen. And they run fast and can even fly.

3. Smoky Brown Cockroach

The smoky brown roach is another large cockroach with dark coloring and wings. They live in heavily wooded areas but are drawn to moisture. You may find them in areas where you have a plumbing problem.

How Do You Keep Cockroaches Away?

Despite their reputation for living in dirty homes, cockroaches can easily infest any home. However, keeping a clean, tidy home can definitely help keep these bugs under control. They are attracted to moisture, such as leaking sinks and appliances. And you may have a higher chance of drawing them indoors if your landscaping is unkempt. It can help to look for entry points and seal anywhere they might gain access, including replacing things like vent screens. Some other ways to keep cockroaches away are to place food in airtight containers, clean up the kitchen every night, frequently vacuum, and keep your home moisture-free.

10 Smells That Roaches Absolutely Hate

1. Lavender

For humans, lavender is sweet and calming. But thankfully, roaches despise it. The best way to utilize this scent is to plant lavender around the outside of your home, which will deter roaches and other bugs from coming near. You can also mix lavender oil with water and spray it around your home.

2. Mint

Mint, such as peppermint oil, contains a compound called menthone that can kill cockroaches. And since menthone is what gives the oil its smell, it works great as a deterrent. For best results, mix mint oil and water in a spray bottle and spritz anywhere bugs can enter your home. You can also grow fresh mint inside, which will keep roaches away and provide you with cooking flavor.

3. Citronella

Citronella not only works great for repelling mosquitos but also cockroaches. While the candles don’t work well against roaches, you can use citronella oil as a deterrent. You can mix it with water and use it as a spray or simply wipe down areas with the diluted mixture.

4. Oregano

Oregano has a strong, pungent odor that cockroaches can’t stand. Since it’s a safe oil to use around the kitchen, you can spray a mixture of oregano oil and water on countertops and any nooks and crannies they like to hide.

5. Bay Leaves

Bay leaves work similarly to oregano. Plus, they are great for deterring other insects, like flies and moths. You can crush bay leaves and place them in problem areas or keep them out in a bowl on the counter. You can also leave fresh whole leaves around the kitchen.

6. Citrus

The strong smell of citrus in your home is pleasant to humans but not for bugs. And while lemon-scented cleaners may not be enough to keep them away, fresh citrus peels placed around the house can do the trick. 

7. Cucumbers

Cucumbers are known repellents of roaches and other common household pests. They are the most effective when sliced or diced. But you must place them around your home for it to work. While this method may not be the most practical, it can come in handy for picnics.

8. Pine

The fresh scent of pine contains beta-pinene which is known for repelling and even treating cockroaches. Now before you go placing car fresheners around your home, you can also buy them in oil form. Mix a few drops with some water and spray it around the house.

9. Chrysanthemums

These beautiful, vibrant flowers produce a smell that roaches absolutely hate. Many pesticides even contain the artificial smell of chrysanthemums to control infestations. But you can also buy the smell in oil form to spray around the house. But planting chrysanthemums on the outside of your house and keeping potted plants indoors is an excellent way to keep roaches out.

10. Garlic

Garlic has a strong smell that revolts cockroaches. If you don’t mind your house smelling of garlic 24/7, you can place whole cloves around the kitchen or sprinkle garlic powder in corners. However, other bugs can be attracted to the smell of garlic, so you may end up with another problem on your hands.

Summary of 10 Smells That Roaches Absolutely Hate

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Gary Alpert at the English language Wikipedia / Creative Commons / Original