What Natural Repellents Work Best Against Cockroaches?

What Natural Repellents Work Best Against Cockroaches?


By Gipsy Dauge

Published on: Friday, June 14, 2024, Updated on: Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Cockroaches are among the insects most feared by the general population. Distant relatives of termites, also known as roaches, they're notoriously difficult to get rid of. In this article, explore our range of natural ways to keep them at bay.

Contents

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What is a cockroach?

Cockroaches don’t exactly have a good reputation. This pest, often associated with dirt, tends to multiply very quickly once it has taken up residence in a home. It’s worth noting that this insect doesn’t live alone and is a true champion at colonising an entire house in a very short time. While difficult to eradicate, they are by no means invincible when it comes to natural methods!

Cockroaches and roaches: What’s the difference?

Cockroaches and roaches refer to the same insect. In everyday language, people use the term cockroaches to refer to roaches and vice versa.

What attracts cockroaches?

Contrary to popular belief, cockroaches are not attracted to dirty places. They are drawn to food, food scraps, and moisture. This is why they particularly love to sneak into the dark corners of homes.

Cockroach Infestation: What Are the Health Risks?

The health risks of a cockroach infestation can be significant:

  • Transmission of infectious diseases

  • Asthma and allergies, particularly respiratory allergies

  • Contamination of pets.

What smell repels cockroaches?

Cockroaches hate the smell of white vinegar and baking soda. That’s why cleaning with these products is a good preventive measure, and why natural solutions often contain one or more of these ingredients.

Why choose a natural product for cockroaches?

First and foremost, natural treatments for cockroaches offer numerous advantages over existing chemical treatments: 

  • They help protect the environment 

  • They have no side effects

  • They are often less expensive and less invasive.

What is the best natural repellent for getting rid of cockroaches?

Here is a list of effective natural repellents to drive away cockroaches: 

  • Baking soda: A mixture of bicarbonate of soda and sugar is a good repellent. The baking soda dehydrates cockroaches, while sugar attracts them. To be effective, the mixture of bicarbonate of soda and sugar needs to be scattered in the infested areas. A mixture of 3 parts boric acid to 1 part sugar will have a similar effect. Keep this mixture well out of reach of children and pets, as boric acid is toxic if ingested.

  • Diatomaceous earth: This fine powder works by damaging the cockroaches' outer shell, causing them to dehydrate. Scatter it in the areas where they're most active.

  • Wine traps Pour a small amount of wine into a jar or container with steep sides. Cockroaches are drawn in by the scent but can't climb back out, trapping them inside.

  • A plate of cucumber cut into pieces acts as a good insect repellent

  • White vinegar sprayed on the bottom of walls repels cockroaches with its scent

Certain aromatic herbs such as bay leaf, lemongrass, and mint are also effective at repelling these pests.

Discover our natural products to repel cockroaches

Baking Soda

An essential for budget-friendly cleaning, baking soda cleans, degreases, and makes all types of surfaces shine. It can be used as a scouring powder to clean sinks, showers, stovetops, tiled surfaces, and more...

Discover our Baking Soda

12° Alcoholic Vinegar Eco-detergent

12% White Distilled Vinegar Ecodetergent

Highly concentrated, this natural white vinegar with 12% acidity is ideal for all household uses. It is highly effective for cleaning, descaling, and making windows, faucets, showers, sinks, washbasins, and toilet bowls shine, as well as for degreasing and descaling your household appliances (coffee makers, washing machines, etc.)… 100% plant-based, it’s an essential for natural household cleaning!

Discover our 12° White Distilled Vinegar Ecodetergent - Aroma-Zone

How can you effectively prevent a cockroach infestation? Our tips for getting rid of cockroaches

Here are a few tips to prevent cockroaches from appearing in your home:

  1. Focus on home maintenance, especially in the kitchen and all cupboards

  2. Vacuum regularly and in every nook and cranny; you can also use a steam cleaner from time to time for fabrics

  3. Fill in cracks and holes 

  4. Get rid of any leftover food and food scraps

  5. Take out your trash at regular intervals.

Aroma-Zone recipes for keeping cockroaches away during household cleaning

Expert Advice

We recommend trying a natural treatment at the first signs of a cockroach infestation. However, if you see that the situation isn’t improving quickly, we encourage you to contact a certified professional.

Spotlight on our writer: Gipsy Dauge

Gipsy Dauge

Gipsy graduated from ESJ Paris and spent 10 years working in general and women’s magazines before specialising in health and wellbeing. Now a certified Yin Yoga teacher, she combines her passion for writing with her love of yoga. Through her articles, she aims to share simple, practical habits that support wellbeing and encourage a more mindful approach to everyday life.

Bibliography

  1. https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blattaria

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