Using essential oils in your home is a great way to keep it smelling fresh. Did you know that essential oils are also great for keeping cockroaches away? Whether you have a cockroach problem or you live in an area where they are prevalent, you can use essential oils for cockroaches to make sure they do not make their way into your home.
Essential Oils to Use
There is a wide array of essential oils to choose from, but cockroaches only hate a select few. You need to determine if you need an oil to repel cockroaches or if you are looking for an oil to kill them. The top three essential oils to use if you are trying to repel cockroaches are peppermint oil, oregano oil, and catnip oil. This will keep the cockroaches away and out of your space.
It is a good idea to use these oils if you are concerned that cockroaches are getting in from the outside. Even if you do not have an active infestation, you can use these oils to prevent one from happening. Many people who live in cockroach-infested areas swear by these essential oils because even the most stubborn cockroaches will stay far away. Plus, these oils will keep your home smelling great.
For oils that kill cockroaches, you will want to use rosemary oil, cedar oil, or eucalyptus oil. These tend to be stronger, affecting the cockroaches’ internal systems. They are very fragrant, and you might even already use them in your home for the scent alone. These oils are going to be more effective if you already have an existing cockroach problem.
Either way, cockroaches will not find any of these scents appealing. You can even mix a few drops of multiple essential oils to make your own custom blend that will prevent the problem while giving you a scent that you find appealing.
Why Cockroaches Hate Them
You might be wondering why cockroaches dislike the above essential oils. A reason why these methods seem to work well on them is that cockroaches have exceptional senses of smell. They are able to smell any scent from afar. You can take advantage of this by using essential oils because they permeate through the air quickly and potently.
Essential oils work better than citronella candles or other pest repellents because they tend to be much more fragrant. If you have tried other methods that did not work very well, give essential oils a chance because they are different. Cockroaches are very persistent, but you do not need to give in by using harsh chemicals to get rid of them. They can be dealt with in a more natural way through the use of essential oils.
You need to keep in mind that essential oils are not going to be a cure for all of your cockroach problems. They do make a great preventative step, though. Another thing to keep in mind is that there are several different kinds of cockroach species, thousands to be exact. Since there are so many, you might need to try different essential oils until you are able to find the right ones to repel and kill the cockroaches in your area.
How to Use Essential Oils for Cockroach
Essential oils are very versatile. There are plenty of different ways that you can use them in your home. Oil diffusers are great because they allow the smell to permeate and can make attractive decor pieces. You can mind many different essential oil diffusers online. These diffusers work like humidifiers. You fill them with water and then add a few drops of your essential oils into the base.
You will get to experience the scent along with the aromatherapy benefits. Certain scents can actually calm you down or make you feel happier. Just turn your diffuser on at night before you go to bed or in the morning before you leave for work. The oils will work their way into the air and repel the pesky cockroaches.
If you are looking for a more targeted approach, you can place a few drops of essential oil into a spray bottle full of water. This will allow you to spray the mixture directly onto areas where you have seen cockroaches or where you think they might be able to enter your home.
Make sure to coat your drains and your vents. This is going to keep them from coming through the plumbing and air conditioning systems. You can also spray your doorways, especially the doorways that lead to the front and back yard. Make sure to cover any balcony doors, as well. It is always a good idea to diffuse your essential oils because they are so strongly concentrated. Too much can give you a headache if you are not careful.
Even when diluted, they should be able to effectively keep cockroaches away since their senses of smell are much stronger than yours. Try to find a good balance so you can still enjoy the scent. If you ever take baths, it could also be a great idea to drop some essential oils into the water. This will enhance your relaxation while also carrying the smell through your home.
This is a complete guide that contains all you need to know about using essential oils for cockroach. It is great because it is natural and actually serves multiple benefits.