Many domestic and foreign companies are engaged in the production of effective drugs against cockroaches. Trade offers a large selection of insecticides that successfully cope with the task. Not all owners of apartments and houses in which “uninvited guests” have appeared want to use products based on pesticides. This especially applies to those who have small children, allergy sufferers, and sick people living in their homes. Therefore, they prefer to use safe folk remedies. Essential oils for cockroaches, which have a rich, pungent odor, will help solve the problem.
Why are cockroaches afraid of essential oils and acids?
If there are few pests in the premises, it is recommended to use folk remedies, including essential oils against cockroaches, which have a repellent effect. Their principle of action is based on the characteristics of the life activity of parasites. Scout cockroaches, who are looking for suitable living conditions for their family, leave marks (pheromones) that have a certain smell. Thus, they show their brothers the way to food and water.
Essential oils
On a note!
If you use essential oils at home, they disorient cockroaches, since their aroma obscures the smell of pheromones. Insects get lost in space, the pungent aroma scares away the Prussians.
What to do if cockroaches don't go away
If you use essential oils to fight home parasites, you should be patient: they obviously won’t disappear in one go. Treatment should be persistently continued over a certain period of time (sometimes up to several months).
But if time passes and the problem does not disappear, then you should resort to more radical methods of struggle:
- act together with neighbors, who also clearly have an abundance of uninvited tenants;
- apply several control methods simultaneously (combine insecticides and traps);
- resort to the help of a paralyzing poison (borax is usually used, which is mixed with aromatic food and the resulting poisonous bait is laid out).
The most popular essential oils used to control cockroaches
Not only cockroaches are afraid of strong, rich aromas, but also other insects that penetrate a house or apartment: moths, fleas, ants and other pests. Various essential oils can be used as repellents. The following are in demand among consumers:
- Eucalyptus. It is characterized by green or yellow color. The smell is sharp, minty. Used in anti-inflammatory and cold remedies (ointments, sprays). The main component in it is eucalyptol, which irritates the sense of smell of cockroaches. It also contains minerals (potassium, silicon, iron), vitamins, aldehydes, acids. It has many beneficial properties for the human body. It is not recommended to use it if there are hypertensive patients in the house, people suffering from epilepsy, or pregnant women. Eucalyptus oil for cockroaches is most effective due to its strong odor. Sold in bottles with capacities from 5 to 100 mm. The average price is approximately 100 rubles.
- Lavender. It is often used in the cosmetics industry, making fragrances for perfumes, creams, and lotions. In medicine, it is added to ointments; it has a calming property, the ability to restore blood circulation, and normalizes a person’s mental state. The essential oil has a faint yellow tint and pronounced floral and woody bitter notes. Its structure is complex, it contains about 150 different components. Main active ingredients: coumarin, cineole, geraniol. Lavender against cockroaches is not recommended for use in the home of pregnant women, allergy sufferers, people suffering from epilepsy, anemia, and hypotension. The product is packaged in bottles with a capacity of 5, 1, 15 mm. Average price – 150 rubles.
- Tea tree. It is one of the most advertised and popular products. It is used in medicine and cosmetology. The composition contains active components: diterpene, cineole, monoterpene. It is the terpenes that determine its effectiveness. Tea tree essential oil has antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties. The color is light yellow, the aroma is sharp, spicy, rich. It contains notes of pine needles, camphor and sawdust. Aromatherapy with its use repels cockroaches and at the same time disinfects the air in the room. It should not be used if there is an individual intolerance, when there are small children, pregnant or nursing mothers in the house. It goes on sale in glass bottles with a capacity of 5 to 25 mm, costing from 54 to 187 rubles.
- Lemongrass. It has a rich yellow, reddish, dark orange color. The peculiarity is a rich aroma, in which lemon and herbal shades are clearly expressed. The oil contains many components. The predominant ones are: limonel, citral, myrcene. It also contains B vitamins and minerals (iron, magnesium, zinc). It is used in medicine, it relieves redness and swelling after insect bites, and has a repellent effect against cockroaches. It is not advisable to use it by hypertensive patients, people with an excitable nervous system, pregnant and nursing mothers. The products are packaged in glass bottles with a capacity of 5-10 ml. The cost ranges from 70 to 230 rubles.
- Clove. It has a specific odor due to the main active ingredient – eugenol. It has antibacterial properties and is used for infectious diseases and for dental preparations. It is contained in Zvezdochka, an insect repellent. Clove essential oil can cause allergies; you should not use it if there are small children (under 2 years old), hypertensive patients, pregnant women, or people with nervous pathologies in the house. Packaged in glass bottles with a capacity of 5, 10, 30 ml, average price - from 80 to 230 rubles.
Essential oils
In the fight against cockroaches, cedar, anise, mint and geranium oils are used.
All of them have a repellent effect.
Chemical substances
Not only natural but also some chemical odors repel cockroaches. Insects cannot stand it if the rooms smell of ammonia or boric alcohol, kerosene or turpentine
However, these pungent odors in high concentrations are harmful and poorly tolerated by people, and therefore require extreme caution when using
Of the listed substances, ammonia (ammonia) or chlorine is most often used, which are mixed with water used for cleaning premises. You can simply pour ammonia into a saucer and leave it in a secluded place. Alcohol fumes will be harmful to cockroaches.
Boric acid, which has the ability to kill insects, is added to special food baits.
In addition to household products, you can use chemicals specially designed to combat cockroaches. Their action is based on the effect of toxic insecticidal vapors on animals. Moreover, the composition of the drugs is designed in such a way that a person does not feel an unpleasant odor, as happens when using ammonia or gasoline.
If you use chemical products, strictly adhere to the dosages indicated on the label, assessing the level of contamination in advance so that you can apply the most correct dosage.
Cockroach chalks have been on the market for decades, but they remain just as effective against parasites. To get rid of cockroaches for a long time, you can use this old-fashioned method.
Aerosols
There are many insecticides on the market that contain cyfluthrin, which is very effective in getting rid of cockroaches completely. This includes aerosols and sprays. Spray the insecticide in roach hiding places such as wall cracks, vents, drainage areas, trash can, etc.
Fumigation
This method allows you to get into wall voids and other places where cockroaches might be hiding and can be used throughout your home. And most importantly, it is a quick solution that does not require several subsequent visits to specialists to ensure the complete destruction of all cockroaches in the structure.
If your home or apartment is experiencing excessive infestation, you may need to use powerful professional pesticides containing chemicals such as cypermethrin. The residual effect of these chemicals will last for at least three months and will kill all kinds of insects in your home.
This product should only be used as a last resort. Do not use this product if you have children or pets at home. Most cockroach prevention or repellent methods available on the market contain harmful chemicals that are hazardous to your health if not used carefully.
How to use essential oils against cockroaches
Eucalyptus, lavender, clove, tea tree and other oils can be used in their pure form. To do this, use cotton wool or disks, impregnate them with the substance and apply them to the surface. They can be used in other ways as well.
- Spraying in aqueous solution. Add a few drops of oil (10-15) and half a cup of vinegar to a cup of warm water. The resulting mixture is poured into a container with a spray bottle and sprayed around the apartment.
- Washing furniture and floors. Dilute 5-6 drops of essential oil in a bucket and do wet cleaning at least twice a week.
- Use of aroma lamps. These are special devices that are commercially available. A special candle is placed down. There is a hollow at the top into which water is poured and 3-4 drops of essential oil are added. They light a candle, and under the influence of temperature, the aroma of oil spreads throughout the apartment.
- Drip application. To do this, it is best to take the essential oil into a syringe and apply it dropwise to hard-to-reach areas where cockroaches are most concentrated, around drains and sinks.
- Flavor bombs. It's easy to make them. You can use clay, wine corks, beeswax, or a cotton pad. They need to be soaked in essential oil and placed in cabinets and corners of rooms.
Using aroma oils
There are aroma sticks on sale that you just need to set on fire and a smell that is amazing for people and hateful for cockroaches will spread throughout the apartment.
Important!
Essential oils can cause allergies. Therefore, they should be used carefully; first, it is recommended to make sure that no family members suffer from a similar problem.
Which oil to choose
A special feature of protection against insects is the persistent, specific aroma of esters.
The most effective essential oil against mosquitoes:
- thyme;
- lavender;
- eucalyptus;
- carnations;
- geraniums;
- rosemary;
- Litzei.
The best oils against ticks:
- lavender;
- eucalyptus;
- hit;
- palmarosa;
- geranium.
To repel flies:
- sassafras;
- lavender;
- cedar;
- mint;
- citronella.
To protect against fleas, orange oil is the most effective.
To get rid of lice:
- tea tree;
- rosemary;
- geranium;
- eucalyptus;
- lavender.
Margosa oil is considered the most effective oil against any type of insect, which has been popular for many centuries. Margosa can be used not only indoors, but also in the garden for plants.
Efficiency
To ensure that essential oils are effective, certain steps must be followed correctly:
- Wipe surfaces on which cockroaches move as much as possible:
- pay special attention to the kitchen, bathroom - where there is access to water;
- treat the trash can and around it;
- in hard-to-reach places use the spray method and drip with a syringe.
It is advisable to use aromatic oils in apartments where the number of Prussians is not so large or for preventive purposes.
Pros and cons of essential oils
The benefits of using essential oils in the fight against cockroaches are as follows:
- safety for living family members;
- low cost;
- convenient use;
- long-term exposure;
- has a beneficial effect on human health (with proper selection and use of oil).
On a note!
The disadvantages include the fact that essential oils are not able to kill cockroaches, they can only repel them. With a large population of pests, it is powerless.
Is it possible to kill cockroaches forever?
- When living in an apartment building, it is impossible to remove insects forever. There will always be a “bad” apartment from which hated guests will go in search of a favorable habitat.
- If you start baiting together with your neighbors, the pests may leave the entire entrance. If the neighbors are against such an idea, you need to periodically treat your apartment, sealing all the cracks from which cockroaches can enter. Then insects will appear rarely and stay with you for a short time.
- If your patience with permanent mustachioed residents is at its limit, and folk and industrial remedies are ineffective, then you can turn to professionals in this matter.
Tips to help in the war against cockroaches
Cockroaches are not able to survive for a long time without water. That's why they always accumulate near the sink, toilet, or bathtub.
Important! If cockroaches can drink after poisoning, they will survive one hundred percent.
Therefore, during etching, all surfaces in the kitchen, toilet and bathroom must always be dry. Unlike water, cockroaches are patient with food and can live without it for quite a long time.
You are unlikely to be able to drive away your roommates on a hunger strike. Cockroaches are very stupid creatures; they can infect their relatives by bringing poison into the nest. This can be used if you decide to withdraw them. In addition to stupidity, pests are characterized by curiosity, especially towards everything fragrant and bright.
Other effective folk remedies
Other folk remedies also have a repellent effect on cockroaches:
- Vinegar. Mixtures are prepared from it and used to wipe surfaces.
- Ammonia. Its smell is very unpleasant to cockroaches. Ammonia can be used in its pure form; it is harmful to insects. But it can only be used if you send family members and animals away from home. Therefore, a solution is often used by mixing it with water.
- Bay leaf. It contains cineole, which has a negative effect on the respiratory organs of cockroaches, so when they smell bay leaves, they try to leave the room faster.
- Plants. Wormwood, tansy, elderberry, and mint have repellent properties. Infusions are prepared from them and used in dry form.
Folk remedies
To repel cockroaches, use soda, black pepper, and boric acid.