Did you know there are over 4000 cockroach worldwide, 450 of which reside in Australia.
According to Rentokil the main varieties are:
- German cockroach
- Oriental cockroach
- American cockroach
- Brown Banded cockroach
- Australian cockroach
- Smoky Brown cockroach
Getting rid of cockroaches
You might have seen live cockroaches crawling around your home but it’s more likely you’ve simply spotted those crumbly little black dots that look like instant coffee trails?
That’s cockroach poop.
Fortunately there are some home remedies that will help you get rid of the (not so little) critters naturally.
#5 Peppermint oil
An article published in the Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases reported that fumigation with mint oil produced a 97.2% mortality rate of cockroaches after 24 hours.
According to pestrol.com.au peppermint oil is a natural repellent that can help deter mice, rats, ants, snakes, spiders and fleas too.
Bye bye ugly bugs…
#4 Bay leaves
When it comes to natural cockroach repellent you wouldn’t automatically think of Rentokil, but the non-natural pest controllers do say there’s some truth in the use of bay leaves as a cockroach deterrent.
“Cockroaches are believed to find the smell of bay leaves repellent. According to this DIY solution, you need to crush bay leaves into a powder. You then sprinkle the powder around the cockroach hotspots in your home.”
“The essential oils that are released when you crush the leaves are supposed to repel the cockroaches.”
However, they go on to say you’d need about a truckload of bay leaves to have any effect. So keep reading, because there is a better way to get rid of cockroaches naturally.
#3 Lemongrass and cedar oil
You might have tried Mortein and Scuttle Cockroach Gel but they’re both poisonous and toxic. Not just to cockroaches (which is why they work), but they can be harmful for pets and children.
That’s when a natural, home remedy can come in handy. Lemongrass and cedar oil are well known natural cockroach repellents but do they work?
Wholesale Natural Pesticides says; “When applying cedar oil, beware that it can stir up roach activity and open a floodgate. Roaches that get a direct shot will die immediately. Insects residing near sprayed areas will be driven out of hiding.”
Hmm, sounds OK but you’ll need to be prepared for an influx before you see the results.
#2 Catnip
The second best natural cockroach repellent is good news for cat lovers. That plant that rocks your kitty’s world has been proven to also keep cockroaches away.
Meow.
Researchers at the American Chemical Society reported that two forms of nepetalactone – a chemical found in the catnip plant does indeed repel cockroaches.
The issue however is that is doesn’t kill them, it just keeps them away. Which is fab if you don’t have an infestation but not enough if you do.
But our guess is, you want to know what the best natural cockroach repellent is that will also zap them don’t you?
Thought so.
#1 best natural cockroach repellent
In a study of essential oils, the surprising winner in the stakes of Best Natural Cockroach Killer was oregano oil.
Eucalyptus, mint, yarrow, oregano and rosemary essential oils were tested against each other, with oregano being the clear winner.
All the oils produced 97-100% mortality after 24 hours but the oregano oil had a residual effect that lasted up to a week.
So, for the best home remedy that’s all-natural, safe, non-toxic and organic – why not make a blend of all of them and say sayonara cockroach infestation!
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