Peppermint Oils repel roaches.
They also provide a pleasant aroma that keeps you pest-free. Some peppermint oils, such as Mentha Piperita, contain chemicals that chemically replicate the peppermint scent that repels roaches.
So, does peppermint oil repel roaches? Yes.
According to research from the University of Florida, peppermint oil is effective for repelling roaches. However, its effectiveness depends on the strength of the peppermint oil.
Stronger oil deters roaches more effectively than weaker oil. Furthermore, the peppermint oil must be diluted with about 10 percent water to be effective.
The diluted oil must be applied directly to cracks and crevices where the roaches hide. It should be applied daily for about two weeks in order for the roaches to get accustomed to it.
After that, the roaches should be repelled from the peppermint oil.
Does Peppermint Oil Repel Roaches?
Contents
- 1 Does Peppermint Oil Repel Roaches?
- 2 How Does Peppermint Oil Repel Bugs and Cockroaches?
- 3 How to Mix Peppermint Oil for Roaches
- 4 How to Use Peppermint Spray to Control Cockroaches
- 5 Does Peppermint Oil Spray Kill Cockroach Eggs?
- 6 Precautions for Using Peppermint Oil Cockroach Spray
- 7 Can You Use Peppermint Oil and Vinegar?
- 8 How Long Does Peppermint Oil Work?
- 9 Conclusion
If you’re dealing with a roach infestation, peppermint oil could be a good solution.
According to research, peppermint oil repels roaches. However, it’s not guaranteed to work.
If you want to use peppermint oil, mix it with water in a spray bottle and spray it on the areas where roaches are hiding. However, it’s important to note that peppermint oil isn’t harmful to humans or pets.
In fact, it has many benefits, such as improving digestion and boosting your mood.
How Does Peppermint Oil Repel Bugs and Cockroaches?
Peppermint oil repels pests, especially roaches, by stimulating hair cells in the insects’ antennae and preventing them from detecting odors.
Also, the oil contains menthol that causes the bugs to lose their sense of balance and become disoriented when exposed to it. Additionally, the chemical constituents of menthol cause the muscles of the insect’s legs to contract quickly, ultimately causing them to fall over and die.
These actions are what give mint its characteristic smell and taste and why many people find it to be an unpleasant flavor.
Chemicals in peppermint oil, such as methyl salicylate, also prevent the bugs from reproducing by damaging their ovaries and preventing their eggs from hatching into larvae.
Therefore, using diluted concentrations of this chemical can kill all the bugs on contact and prevent more from entering your home in the future.
Lastly, menthol causes the nervous system of the bug to become dysfunctional and eventually leads to paralysis and death.
Therefore, it’s crucial that you dilute your peppermint oil before using it in order to prevent any skin irritation or burns from occurring.
How to Mix Peppermint Oil for Roaches
All you need is a small spray bottle and a funnel to pour the oil into it.
Then fill the bottle with water and shake well to mix the two ingredients. You should apply the solution generously on the areas where you see signs of a roach infestation.
Once you’re done applying the solution, allow it to dry completely and then repeat the process every day for at least two weeks in order to completely get rid of the cockroaches in your home.
You can mix this remedy with vinegar and water in a ratio of 3:1 if you don’t have peppermint oil on hand and you want a cheaper alternative.
Fill the bottle nearly to the brim with hot water and then add a couple of drops of dish soap in it.
How to Use Peppermint Spray to Control Cockroaches
Cockroaches are disgusting insects that spread disease and leave nasty stains behind.
However, they’re extremely difficult to get rid of, especially if you live in an apartment or condo. If you’re frustrated by the cockroaches in your home, this peppermint spray can help you get rid of them fast.
First, mix 1 tablespoon of peppermint oil with 1 cup of vodka in a spray bottle. Shake the bottle to mix the ingredients well.
Next, spray the solution on the cockroach’s nest. If the cockroach doesn’t die, spray it again in 10 minutes.
Repeat the process daily until the cockroach is dead.
Does Peppermint Oil Spray Kill Cockroach Eggs?
Killing cockroach eggs is the most crucial step in getting rid of a colony of cockroaches once and for all.
If you fail to do so, a new batch of cockroaches will continue to hatch every day and cause you more trouble.
You can use the same method mentioned above to kill the eggs effectively. Diluted solutions of lemon eucalyptus oil and tea tree oil can also kill the eggs of a colony of cockroaches effectively.
If not removed, these eggs may spread a lethal disease called Salmonella to humans and other warm-blooded animals living in the house.
While peppermint oil is good in repelling roaches and killing them, it can also kill them when sprayed directly on them.
Precautions for Using Peppermint Oil Cockroach Spray
Before using any peppermint oil cockroach spray, it’s important to read the directions carefully.
This is particularly important for first time users. The instructions may warn about sensitivity to the spray and the possibility of skin irritation.
To make the spray more effective, it’s important not to touch the skin after applying the spray or handling empty bottles.
It’s also important to wear gloves when handling the bottles and spray nozzle.
In addition, it’s important to avoid spraying the spray on surfaces that get wet often, such as sinks and bathtubs.
Finally, it’s important to keep the spray away from food, as ingesting the spray can be harmful.
Can You Use Peppermint Oil and Vinegar?
Combine one cup of distilled white vinegar with one cup of water and add a few drops of liquid soap in it to create a powerful cleaning solution that you can use to eliminate mold from your home.
Then pour this solution into a spray bottle and use it to clean any surface that is infested with mold.
The liquid may then be poured into a sink and used to wash the dishes instead of using commercial dishwashing detergents.
How Long Does Peppermint Oil Work?
Some folks reported that peppermint oil didn’t work for them at all while others reported that they got rid of their roaches within a few days of using the solution regularly.
It may take a bit longer to get rid of the roaches if you let them breed up before killing them off.
While peppermint oil is a non-toxic natural substance, it is still important to always wear rubber gloves when handling it to avoid getting the oil on your skin or in your eyes.
To get rid of roaches, use a combination of 1/2 cup of baking soda and 10 drops of peppermint essential oil in a spray bottle filled with water.
You may also soak fresh bay leaves in water and place them near places where you frequently see roaches to prevent new infestations from occurring.
Also Read:Does Pine Sol Attract Roaches?
Conclusion
Cockroach infestation is a frequent but significant problem in many homes throughout the world.
They are not only a nuisance but also pose serious health risks if left unchecked. Fortunately, there are several remedies that can be used to get rid of these pests including essential oils like peppermint oil and vinegar.
While these remedies are effective, it’s important that you first read the manufacturer’s directions before using any of these solutions in order to avoid side effects and get the best results possible.
Peppermint oil is a very effective way to kill cockroaches without the use of toxic chemicals or pesticides, and it’s also non-toxic to humans when used properly.
And we hope the peppermint oil recipes and alternatives that we shared below will help you get rid of those nasty bugs in your homes too.
In the event of a severe infestation, however, you may need more than just one treatment to fully get rid of them.