Cockroaches – 5 Things They Hate

Cockroaches have long been considered a nuisance ever since humans have been building homes. They number in millions, and they are not the most visually appealing of creatures. While they don’t cause any immediate harm to households and people, their sheer numbers and congregations can be troubling. Their growth can affect long-term health and spread bacteria.

Cockroaches have one of the keenest senses of the smell out of any insect. Its natural adaptation allows them to locate food sources and follow pheromones to find a mate. That unique trait, though, makes them especially susceptible to smelly and sticky items.

1. Soapy Water

Cockroaches are usually considered filthy animals, so it’s a poetic irony that they hate soap. One of the most prominent natural remedies for cockroach infestations is soapy solutions. Because the substance is so dense, cockroaches hate getting it on their bodies as it blocks their pores – potentially leading to their demise.

Soapy water
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2. Mouth Wash

Minty substances with a strong scent like eucalyptus tend to fend off cockroaches – but they really dislike Listerine. The chemical concoction does not agree with them – the essential oils inside are potentially fatal to the cockroaches. Out of all everyday repellents – Listerine is found to the one of the most effective.

Listerine
“Listerine” by JeepersMedia is licensed under CC BY 2.0

3. Lavender

Cockroaches find the smell of lavender quite disagreeable. Adding some lavender oil when cleaning can not only give your home a pleasant smell but also deter roaches.

Lavender
“Lavender” by audreyjm529 is licensed under CC BY 2.0

4. Lemon

Cockroaches hate the scent of lemon and its pungent citric aroma. What’s pleasant to us is despised by these insects – you can help repel them by squeezing a few lemon drops on the floor when cleaning.

Lemon
“Lemons” by Tim-Hoggarth is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

5. Pepper, Garlic, and Onion Solution

This solution is a noted home remedy for cockroach infestation that appears to have a deterrent effect. While these home remedies may not be enough to eradicate roaches they certainly help to make your home less desirable to this common pest.