7 House Plants That Repel Roaches

Are there plants that deter roaches? Yes. Here are some species that repel them completely.

Having a roach problem or infestation can be quite irritating. These are disease-causing pests that will need to be gotten rid of before they transmit diseases to you.

Examples of adverse health conditions caused by roaches include allergies and asthma.

Others are cholera, salmonellosis, dysentery, plague, leprosy, and listeriosis among others.

However, we won’t be dwelling on diseases caused by roaches, rather, we’ll be looking at effective natural ways to repel them with special focus on plants.

Cockroach Repelling Plants

Roach control can effectively be done through the use of natural means such as plants with repellent properties.

Thankfully, several plants have can be used for repelling roaches. Some of them include Bay Leaves, Citronella, Garlic, Cucumber, Catnip, and Chrysanthemums.

Others include Mint, Hedge Apples, Pyrethrum Plant, and Osage Orange among others. So, how do these plants work and how can they be used?

These and more will be covered as you read on.

1. Bay Leaves

Bay leaves are used for food flavoring and also doubles as a pest (including roaches) repellent. The scent given off by bay leaves isn’t pungent, yet harms roaches.

If you must have any success using bay leaves against roaches, then you must have an idea of how it works and how to use it.

• How Bay Leaves Repel Roaches

As earlier mentioned, bay leaves have a mild smell which though considered nice by humans is detested by roaches. These leaves also contain an essential oil which increases its roach repelling effects.

Having discussed how it works, let’s check out the best way(s) to use bay leaves.

• How to Repel Roaches with Bay Leaves

When faced with a roach problem, the easiest way to repel them using this plant is by crushing its leaves into a powder. This will require getting dried leaves. Crushing its leaves releases essential oils locked within.

Next, apply around areas most frequented by roaches such as cracks in walls, underneath appliances, and also around baseboards, etc. Before long, roaches will find your environment hostile and relocate.

• Side Effects

Generally, bay leaves should have no side effects when used either as food or as a roach repellent.

Nevertheless, there may be allergies resulting from its use. When this is noticed, get medical advice and treatment as fast as you can.

2. Citronella

Citronella is also among plants having roach repellent properties. These plants are in the form of large grasses and can easily be planted planters or beds.

It is used in a variety of pest repellent products and has been used with much success.

• How Citronella Works

Citronella plants contain oils that are very effective pest repellents. Whatever your preference is (either having them planted or extracting its oils), roaches won’t stand a chance.

Other insect pests are also repelled by citronella grass as well.

• How to Use Citronella

Using citronella for the roach control isn’t difficult at all.

One of the ways to keep these pests away is by planting citronella around your property. Its citrus-like scent permeates your surroundings, thus creating a barrier against roaches.

Another alternative is to use or apply its extracted essential oils.

These are applied onto surfaces or areas frequented by roaches. Such oils remain effective for a few days and will need to be reapplied to keep roaches at bay.

• Side Effects

If you love keeping cats as pets, then using citronella for roach control won’t be a great idea. This is because cats may get irritated. Users may also get irritated or react adversely to it.

However, this isn’t common.

3. Garlic

The pungent smell released by garlic is quite distinct and serves to repel roaches plus other insect pests. This plant can be used in several ways. Its presence alone does a world of good in keeping roaches at bay.

What more? It doesn’t take much to have garlic planted around your home.

• How Garlic Repels Roaches

The distinct pungent smell given off by garlic does the trick. It irritates roaches and other insects making them stay away.

Garlic is frequently used for different purposes, hence making it a readily available plant you can get for roach deterrence.

• Repelling Roaches with Garlic

By having these plants grown around your yard or garden, you’ll have succeeded in creating an unwelcoming environment for roaches. What more? Garlic can also be planted in patios or balconies.

Another way to repel roaches using garlic is by crushing it and applying around or onto areas where roach activity and presence has been identified.

• Side Effects

As with most roach repellent plants, there’s a possibility of experiencing allergies tied to the use of this plant.

However, this isn’t a given as such side effects aren’t too common and only occur in a few cases. When adverse reactions are seen such as swelling or itchy skin among others, discontinue its use immediately and seek medical attention.

4. Cucumber

This may sound weird because cucumbers are popular food crops that are widely consumed.

What you not know is the fact that this food has other uses such as repellent properties against pests like roaches. These pests detest the smell of cucumbers and will stay away.

• How Cucumber Works

Cucumber does work effectively to repel roaches. The smell from cucumber is what gives it its repelling effect.

Therefore, this plant can be used in several ways.

Having them planted around your yard, garden, or patio area will help give you the much-needed relief you seek.

• How to Use Cucumber as a Roach Repellent

To use cucumber as a roach repellent, all you have to do is plant them around areas you’ve noticed a roach presence.

Another alternative is having them peeled and scattered around roach-infested areas. This gives off the most smell, thus driving these pests away.

• Side Effects

Being one of the most popular vegetables consumed in households, it’s kind of strange that cucumbers will have a side effect right?

Well, there’s always a possibility (though not so common) of people reacting or being allergic to cucumber. Consider discontinuing its use when you notice any negative reactions.

5. Catnip

Catnip plants are also known to be effective in repelling roaches. These plants, though loved by plants harm roaches and other insects.

Having an indoor garden will be a great idea as you can bring these plants closer to tackle your pest issues.

• How it Works

Catnip plants contain a chemical compound known as nepetalactone. This chemical is what gives the plant its repellent effect. Roaches are overwhelmed by it and keep their distance.

Therefore to have the most impact on these pests, it’s necessary to grow as many catnip plants.

• How to Use

To use catnip for roach control, simply get as of them and plant around your home. You may want to choose your garden, around your flower beds, on porches as well as along entries, etc.

Wherever these are planted, they give off a scent that deters roaches and other pests.

• Side Effects

Not all cases of catnip use result in side effects. Nevertheless, some people may develop adverse reactions to it. In such a case, it’s best to discontinue its use immediately while trying other alternatives as provided here.

6. Chrysanthemums

With Chrysanthemums, you don’t only benefit from its roach repelling effect but also from the beauty it adds to your home’s surroundings. What more? Chrysanthemums also repel a wide variety of pests.

This is the ideal pest repellent to consider if you’re dealing with multiple pest issues.

• How it Works

Dried chrysanthemum plants contain pyrethrin which is a natural neurotoxin that attacks the nervous system of roaches. Fresh chrysanthemum plants also achieve the same objective.

The presence of these plants around your home will keep it free from roach encroachment.

• How to Use Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums can either be planted alone or you can apply companion planting. This plant doesn’t only repel roaches but other types of pests as well.

When dealing with multiple pest issues, consider adopting companion planting to leverage on its effect.

• Side Effects

The use of chrysanthemum for roach control may result in side effects such as itching, redness, and swelling among other symptoms of dermatitis.

When this is noticed, you should discontinue its use and seek for alternative roach repellent plants as listed here.

7. Mint

Mint plants are quite versatile in the sense that they are used for a variety of purposes including roach control.

This lush green plant produces a pleasant aroma that is hated by roaches. It’s important to note that mint plants can be invasive and must be trimmed to regulate their growth.

• How it Works

The aroma released by mint plants, though loved by humans is quite overwhelming and detested by roaches.

To have the most result, it’s necessary to grow mint around your property.

• How to Use

The use of mint plants as a roach repellent can be enhanced by planting as much around your home.

Adequate sunshine is one of the ideal requirements of this plant.

These are a few of several plants with roach repelling properties. You have the choice of choosing any or a combination of these plants for your home.