The Best Cockroach Repellent

The last thing anyone wants in their home is a cockroach infestation. While we all wish that cockroaches would just go away from us, that simply isn’t realistic. However, if you’re attempting to keep roaches out of your house or business, you need a roach repellent. 

We combed the internet for information on which cockroach repellents and traps to employ, as well as when to bring in the pros. Given the tenacity of your adversaries, the optimum remedy for your infestation will most likely be a mix of two or three of the solutions listed below.

The most efficient and specialist-approved cockroach repellents are listed below. A few of these roach killers and traps kill roaches on impact, while others allow roaches to carry poison back to their nests. This is your ultimate guide for getting rid of roaches, so let’s get started!

A-Z-Animals Top Picks for Cockroach Repellents

#1 Best Overall: Eco Defense USDA Biobased Pest Control Spray

Our favorite cockroach repellent is the Eco Defense USDA Biobased Pest Control Spray.

Available in a 16-ounce bottle, this 100% organic spray can keep roaches at bay. It is powerful against cockroaches as well as a variety of other interior pests such as spiders, termites, fleas, earwigs, mites, scorpions, whiteflies, and other insects. As a USDA biobased spray, this product is ideal if you don’t want to worry about bugs in the house but also don’t want to risk injuring your pets and family by using pesticides that contain harmful and poisonous chemicals. Plus, it does not leave behind any pungent smells either.

This spray is safe for all members of the family, including dogs, and it instantly kills cockroaches, so you don’t have to stress about them. Your home should be roach-free in a few weeks. The company also gives a 60-day money-back guarantee if you are not totally happy with the goods.

However, customers have complained that the bottle itself is not very good quality and can leak.

Pros and Cons of the Eco Defense USDA Biobased Pest Control Spray

Overall Best

Eco Defense USDA Biobased Pest Control Spray

• 100% organic and orderless
• Kills roaches as well as other insects
• Safe for other animals, including dogs
• Money-back guarantee

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2. Best Electronic: MaxMoxie Ultrasonic Pest Repeller

Many people are surprised to learn that there are electronic cockroach repellers, but we recommend the MaxMoxie Ultrasonic Pest Repeller for a variety of reasons.

This ultrasonic pest repeller uses ultrasound to disorientate pests and drive them from your home. It is effective against cockroaches, spiders, mosquitoes, ants, bed bugs, and small rodents. Plus, it is environmentally friendly and completely safe to use around children and animals as it does not contain any harmful substances.

This pest repeller is available in a two-pack or a four-pack and it’s worth your money to get the four-pack and spread them out around your home. Each one is small and strong, covering a complete room in the house. 

There are no batteries to replace or worry about because they connect to an ordinary power outlet. It operates around the clock to keep cockroaches out of your home. Each repeller has an integrated gentle blue nightlight, often meaning that most people mistake them for a nightlight when they first encounter them.

The only drawback to this product is that it can take up to three weeks to work fully. The company states that there is likely to be an increase in pest activity in the first few days of using this product as it begins to disorientate them and drive them from their nests. However, this pest repeller is designed to last for approximately 3.5 years.

Pros and Cons of the MaxMoxie Ultrasonic Pest Repeller

Best Electronic

MaxMoxie Ultrasonic Pest Repeller

• Electronic cockroach repellers
• Features an integrated gentle blue nightlight
• One device covers a complete room
• Connect to an ordinary power outlet

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3. Best Natural: SVA Organics Peppermint Essential Oil

If you prefer to use a natural repellent then we suggest the SVA Organics Peppermint Essential Oil.

Peppermint oil is one of the essential oils that cockroaches and other pests strive to stay away from as much as possible and it is simple to use. Fill a half-empty spray container halfway with water, then add 10 to 12 drops of peppermint oil. Put the lid back on and give it a good shake.

Spray this mixture sparingly about the areas you don’t want cockroaches to enter. Make a ribbon that is six to 12 inches wide, but doesn’t go overboard with the spray. 

Continue to apply once or twice a week, softly spraying each time. It won’t stain your furniture or carpets, so you can rest easy when using it. You can generate gallons of spray from just one bottle of concentrate because you only use a small amount at a time.

This is a great option for people looking for a safe and natural option. Many households have a bottle of peppermint oil laying around and can easily make a mixture to tell those cockroaches where they’re not allowed! 

However, the downside is that it does not kill the cockroaches, only repels them. Also, you need to reapply it regularly.

Pros and Cons of the SVA Organics Peppermint Essential Oil

Best Natural

SVA Organics Peppermint Essential Oil

• Peppermint oil is one of the essential oils that cockroaches avoid
• Don't stain your furniture or carpets
• A safe and natural option
• Contains no fillers or additives

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4. Best for Big Jobs: Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Indoor & Perimeter

Lastly, if you have a big cockroach infestation or are looking to prevent one, consider using the Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer.

The Ortho spray provides protection for up to twelve months both inside and out. This spray is also effective against roaches and other household pests. Plus, it does not cause any discoloration if sprayed straight onto furniture.

One of the best features of this product is that you can use the spray wand to spray around both the interior and exterior of your property. Because the roaches will not be drawn to any of the locations where this is sprayed, it’s critical to spray around the outside of your home, particularly around any gaps in the pavement or foundation. 

We do want to mention that it is imperative to keep any pets out of your house at the time of indoor application though as it is a strong biocide. Also, this product does have a strong odor.

Pros and Cons of the Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Indoor & Perimeter

Best for Big Jobs

Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Indoor & Perimeter

• Come with a spray wand to spray around the exterior of your property
• Protection for up to twelve months
• Odorless
• Does not stain furniture

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What are the Common Mistakes to Avoid When Repelling Roaches?

To ensure that you have the best chance possible to get rid of these nasty critters, we’re going to discuss a few things you should avoid. For starters, saying sayonara buckaroo to roaches comes with consistency and determination. 

Don’t expect to put some traps out and never have an issue again. Cockroach repellent does a great job at just that… repelling, not eradicating. Another thing you’ll want to do is try a combination of products. These bugs are sneaky and we have to use our wits against them when it comes to reclaiming our space! 

With that being said, don’t use both repelling methods at once. The layers we are talking about are concentric, one after the other. Never spray one over the other since they will typically cancel each other out. The result is that you have less or no insect control than previously.

Now that you know about common mistakes to avoid, let’s talk about some natural smells that you might enjoy that terrorize roaches!  

The Power of Flowers

Cockroaches and other insects are naturally disgusted by certain scents. The most effective are chrysanthemum flowers, commonly known as garden mums, which have a powerful repelling effect. 

As a defense against invasive insects, they release pyrethrum, a natural substance. Pyrethroids, a synthetic form of pyrethrum, are the active component in many pesticides. 

Cockroaches can be deterred by planting chrysanthemums throughout the home and putting potted chrysanthemums in the kitchen and around the exterior of your home. It will take a lot of them, spaced no more than a foot apart, to create a protective barrier.

Choosing the Best: What to Look For

So, now that you know about all of the great options available, let’s take a look at some tips when it comes to repelling these creeper critters. 

Cleanliness

To get rid of roaches, there’s one guideline that takes precedence over all others: cleanliness. The first and most efficient line of protection is appropriate food storage and trash disposal. The easiest method to deal with a cockroach infestation is to prevent them from entering in the first place. 

That involves getting rid of everything that attracts insects, such as food, drink, and litter, which provides shelter and warmth. 

Roaches are some of the toughest pests on the planet, making it difficult for people to get rid of them on their own. People may, however, take efforts to reduce cockroach infestations by putting up barriers and keeping their homes clean.

Ease of Use 

Something to consider when looking at cockroach repellent is how easy it is to use. Is it something you can easily slip under the kitchen sink? Do you have to put on a mask and goggles and wave a wand all around your home? 

There are a variety of options listed above to allow everyone to find the type of product that meets their needs and lifestyle. 

Toxicity

Whether you live alone, with children, or with furry friends, the ingredients that makeup repellent matter. 

We looked into if the active components were harmful to people and animals. Fundamentally, all of it is slightly hazardous, however, some alternatives are much less dangerous for pets. 

Effectiveness

The most significant characteristic of a roach killer or trap is, without a question, its effectiveness. We took into account the active substances, professional advice, and user feedback.

The Different Types of Cockroach Repellent: Pros and Cons Compared

The type of repellent you use is very dependent on your environment and the goal you want to achieve. There are repellents for both large and minor infestations, so make sure you choose the proper one.

Spray Repellent

If you’re struggling with a roach outbreak and know precisely where it’s coming from, a spray repellent is ideal because it kills roaches on touch and works rapidly. 

It is very simple for other cockroaches to become contaminated just by being in close proximity to one that has been sprayed. Roaches consume the dead bodies of other roaches, thus this is a good approach to get rid of any roaches that are still around. 

The only problem is that in order for this to work, you need to know exactly where the colony is. You can’t expect the roaches to keep away by spraying all over the place.

Pouches/Stations

These are efficient techniques since they can be set and forgotten. Repellent pouches are a mixture of odors that roaches despise, causing insects to avoid them. If you have a basic notion of where the roaches are coming from, you may place the pouches there to stop them from spreading. You may use this to construct a great barrier around your house.

Ultrasonic Repellers

This is definitely the most efficient option. The wider the range, the better, and if you can locate one that can pierce through walls, you’re set. Only cockroaches can hear ultrasonic repellers, which emit waves of sound that only they can hear. This is fantastic since there is no need to spray, set traps, or do anything else. When you connect the repeller to the wall, it instantly starts operating.

Not so Fun Facts About Cockroaches

• Cockroaches in the home are a health hazard because they carry disease-causing germs and antigens that are dangerous to people with asthma.
• If a roach crawls on you while you are sleeping, it may try to eat the dead skin on your eyelashes, eyebrows, or even around your lips.
• You risk becoming infected with serious diseases, including bacteria that cause dysentery, salmonellosis, or typhoid fever if you touch a roach.
• Cockroaches are vermin – but they do play a useful role as recyclers who feed on dead plants and animals and animal waste.
• Animals who prey on roaches include hedgehogs, birds, geckos, skinks, and other lizards, frogs, turtles, rats, and mice.