Cockroaches menace can be frustrating. Alongside the attendant health risks that roaches bring, you’ll also get to battle with the untidy mess that they make. There are several options open to you to solve the roaches’ problem.
One of the options open to getting rid of cockroaches is essential oil. In this article we’ll see how we’ll be able to use essential oils to get rid of roaches.
Why Use Essential Oils to Get Rid of Roaches?
Essential oil serves a lot of purposes. It is no surprise that essential oils can be used to keep roaches away. But is essential oil a great solution?
There are several reasons why you should use essential oils on cockroaches. The major reason is that essential oil is a natural option. For instance, some of these oils are made from plants that are toxic to cockroaches. Before extracting the oil from them, cockroaches have already avoided them.
Compared to insecticides, essential oil seems to be a better option. You will not need to grapple with toxic substances. Nearly all essential oils can be handled by hand without the fear of repulsiveness or poisoning.
Another reason is lots of options. There are over hundreds of essential oils. This article will show you a few of them that can be used to keep cockroaches away.
ALSO SEE: Home Remedies for Roaches using Baking Soda
Essential Oils that Can Get Rid of Roaches
The following are few essential oils you can use. Many of them have been proven to be effective on cockroaches and similar insects.
You’ll learn about some of them and how you’ll be able to apply them.
1. Cypress Oil
Cypress tree keeps insects away naturally. It’s not a surprise that an oil derived from this plant will keep insects like cockroaches away.
The most effective way to use this oil is to combine it with other essential oils and a little water. This is because using cypress oil in high dose can be toxic. The other essential oils and water will help dilute this toxicity. Also some oils can make it more powerful enough to ward off cockroaches.
How to Apply
Spray the oil on areas you suspect that there’ll be an activity of cockroaches. You should do it regularly as the oil efficacy tend to fade off easily.
2. Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil is an oil that keep cockroaches away. This oil is toxic to cockroaches. Also the fresh smell of the oil ward off cockroaches.
If a drop of the oil touches a roach, it kills it instantly. Eucalyptus oil is also safe to use. You don’t need to worry about its toxicity. However, you should be careful if there are children around as eucalyptus oil can be toxic for little children if they digest it.
Application
Mix the eucalyptus oil with water and apply on areas you suspect there are cockroaches. This could be cracks or holes.
3. Citronella Oil
Citronella oil is a safe essential oil that have little or no adverse effect on kids and pets. You can use it to keep cockroaches and other insects away from your home.
Although citronella oil does not kill cockroaches, it repels them. The smell of the oil keeps cockroaches away.
Application
There are several ways that you can apply citronella oil to get rid of roaches. First you can drop a few drops along paths you suspect that the cockroaches pass. Also, you can wipe your furniture and cabinets that you suspect cockroaches will like to be.
Apply the oil regularly. Twice a week is fine.
4. Peppermint Oil
This oil repels roaches. Peppermint oil is toxic to some species of cockroaches that it kills them instantly.
Roaches hate fresh smells. It’s no surprise that peppermint oil keeps them away.
The oil is natural. But, you should be careful the way you apply the oil in your home.
Application
There are several ways you can apply peppermint oil in your home. You can spray the oil on several corners of your home. It can also be cracks where you suspect that they are. You can also soak cotton balls with peppermint oil diluted in water and place them in strategic points in your home. If there are roaches in the home, they’ll avoid those areas.
5. Catnip Oil
Catnip oil contains a substance that repels cockroaches. You should be able to keep away cockroaches away with this wonder essential oil.
However, be careful if you have pets especially cats in your home as catnips, although not toxic in low dosage, can drive your cats crazy. Crazy in the sense of being intoxicated.
Application
You can apply catnip oil in several ways to get rid of roaches in your home. Some people swear by alcohol as a mixture that can increase its efficacies. Adding one part of water and another part of alcohol and a part of catnip oil is effective against roaches.
Catnip oil on its own is also effective against cockroaches.
6. Tea Tree Oil
This oil has been used for ages as an antiseptic. It also finds use as a cockroach repellant and can be quite useful against roaches.
However, do not use too much tea tree oil. A burning sensation can be felt when you use too much of it. If there are little children or pet in the household, you have to be careful with how you apply the oil.
Application
The most effective way of using tea tree oil is to mix a few drops with water and vinegar. This mixture can be sprayed onto cervices or cracks. Do this regularly.
7. Rosemary Oil
Rosemary plant might be a pleasant herb for you. But, cockroaches will not agree with you. The oil extracted from the rosemary plant has a toxic effect on cockroaches.
The oil repels roaches. High dosage of the oil kills some species of roaches.
However, the cockroaches need to come in contact with the oil for it to be effective.
Application
You can use the rosemary oil as a spray on cockroaches. Soaking a ball of cotton in a mixture containing the oil and adding it to an insect trap can also be an effective way to keep cockroaches at bay.
8. Cedar Oil
Most people like cedar wood for its smell. If used for a storage, you are sure that anything stored in it will smell fresh.
Similarly, the oil from the cedar plant smells nice. But, it’s more than that. It can keep cockroaches away from your home. You just need to apply it in a right way.
Application
Mixing water and alcohol to cedar oil can increase the efficacy of the oil. Just spray the mixture onto surfaces and cockroaches will avoid them. That’s not to say it’s not effective on its own against cockroaches.
9. Lavender Oil
This oil has a nice smell. It has a repelling effect on many insects.
Although it can repel many insects, not so much is known about it on cockroach. However, it can be mixed with essential oils like rosemary oil or tea tree oil to make it effective. In fact, one study showed that in combination with basil, lemon, rose and citronella oils, lavender oil repelled cockroaches.
Application
A mixture of lavender oil and alcohol or other essential oils can be sprayed on surfaces. It can also be sprayed on cracks or crevices on the wall or floor to ward off cockroaches.
10. Oregano Oil
This oil is a very powerful and effective substance that repels insect.
Studies have shown this oil to be one of the most effective essential oils to use on cockroaches.
However, be careful how you use it. A use can last up to a week. This might be a blessing but if the dose is too much it can be toxic.
Applications
You can dilute the oregano oil and spray it on areas you suspect the activities of cockroaches. The diluent can be water or alcohol. You can also spray it around your home to repel roaches.
Disadvantages of Using Essential Oils to Get Rid of Roaches
While essential oil is a great choice to ridding of cockroaches, there are some negative sides to using them.
Some people are allergic to essential oil. This should not be a problem if you live alone. But with kids and even pets, you have to be careful of the kind of oil you use. The worst part is that people react differently to this allergy.
Also, due to the nature of the oil, you might need to keep applying until you solve the roaches’ problem.
Final Words
Keeping roaches out of your home is a great thing to do. Essential oil can be a great choice to use against cockroaches. So far, you’ve been able to see some of these oils. However, make sure that the oil is safe for your use.
Battling cockroaches is a comprehensive job and might require professional assistance. Don’t forget to get help from a pest exterminator around your area.
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