Although a cockroach infestation is best left to the professionals, there are a few things that you can do to keep them at bay and help prevent these pests from taking up residence in the first place. It is very easy to use some common natural cockroach repellents, which help to keep the bugs away without introducing harsh chemicals. Here are a few simple ideas.
- Use cedar wood products. Buy balls, blocks and chips to place in drawers and closets. Cedar contains an oil that acts as a natural deterrent.
- Plant some catnip. Cockroaches hate it. You can make small sachets with the leaves and place them in places where you have seen cockroaches. You can also simmer the leaves in water, making a sort of catnip tea. This solution can then be placed into a spray bottle and sprayed into hard to reach areas.
- Place whole bay leaves in kitchen cupboards. The pests avoid it when they can and this is a budget friendly way to keep them away from your food supply.
- Make your own pepper spray. Cockroaches do not like red pepper. A simple recipe is to mix 1 quart of water with 2 tablespoons of tobacco sauce. Pour it into a spray bottle and the mist the surfaces in your bathroom or kitchen. Although this is natural and harmless, you may want to wear a mask while using this solution because inhaling the pepper spray could make you sneeze.
These simple common natural cockroach repellents can be your saving grace by helping prevent a full blown infestation. You can use these products for preventative measures or to discourage the pests from making their home in yours once they have been spotted. Just remember that if you do see a cockroach, you need to take care of the situation immediately or it could quickly get out of control. If the problem persists you ought to call a licensed cockroach exterminator to make sure a small problem does not turn into an infestation.
