Roaches are not easy to get rid of once they establish residence in your home since they multiply quickly and eat nearly anything derived from animals and plants.
However, you must try different solutions, including peppermint oil for roaches.
Essential oils such as peppermint oil often help people with cockroach infestation but aren’t keen on using chemicals to eliminate these annoying creatures.
Using peppermint oil as a roach repellent is understandable, considering they hate mint, and the essential oil has a potent, eye-watering fragrance.
However, before repelling roaches with peppermint oil, here’s what you should know.
Does Peppermint Essential Oil Keep Roaches Away?
Yees, evidence shows that peppermint oil effectively repels most cockroaches, including German and American roaches, and even kills them. The potent scent of peppermint oil can overpower roaches, interfering with the bugs’ sense of smell which helps them find shelter and food.
However, remember that peppermint oil’s effectiveness varies based on the infestation’s severity and the roaches’ species.
Also read: How To Get Rid Of Roaches Overnight Home Remedies
Furthermore, it would be best not to rely solely on this method. It works better when part of a more comprehensive pest control strategy entailing other methods, sealing various entryways, and keeping your home clean.
In addition, consider using peppermint oil to prevent roaches in the first place instead of eliminating them.
Although peppermint oil can effectively repel roaches, it might not get rid of your cockroach infestation completely, especially a severe one.
How Does Peppermint Oil Repel Roaches?
Peppermint oil’s roach-repelling capabilities can be attributed to its distinct minty scent. Peppermint oil gets its minty fragrance from menthone.
This scent acts on cockroaches’ sensitive sense of smell.
The minty smell disorients roaches preventing them from finding water and food. It can also inhibit their communication which in turn makes these bugs less efficient in locating shelter and food and disrupts them socially.
Menthol is also toxic to pests, including cockroaches, killing them upon impact. However, roaches must come into contact continuously.
How To Use Peppermint Oil To Repel Roaches In Your Home
You can eliminate a roach infestation using this natural substance in different ways. These are:
1. Peppermint Oil Spray
Mix peppermint oil (10 to 15 drops) with a cup of water ( a cup) and a teaspoon of dish soap (a teaspoon) in a spray bottle.
Shake well, then spray the solution around areas where roaches are likely to gather, such as in the kitchen, bathroom, or basement.
In addition, pay special attention to areas around pipes, vents, and cracks where roaches can enter your home.
2. Peppermint Oil Cotton Balls
Rather than spraying peppermint oil solution, soak cotton balls in it, then place them in places roaches visit frequently, such as cabinets, under sinks, and behind appliances.
In order for the peppermint oil to remain and the treatment to stay effective, replace the cotton balls every couple of days.
3. Peppermint Oil Diffuser
Instead of a spray bottle or cotton balls, you can use a diffuser to diffuse peppermint oil into the air in spots where roaches are likely to gather.
The scent will act as a natural repellent and help keep the cockroaches away.
4. Peppermint Oil Floor Cleaner
Keep your floors roach free by adding a couple of drops into your cleaning solution when mopping when floors.
Note
While a mixture of peppermint oil and water can work, you can increase this treatment’s potency by adding white vinegar, making the scent much stronger. Do this by mixing white vinegar and water in a ratio of 1:2, then add peppermint oil (10 to 15 drops) to the solution.
Additionally, avoid spraying peppermint oil on baits to kill roaches because that will counteract what you hope to achieve since peppermint oil is a repellent. However, you can place baits in one area of your home and peppermint oil in another
How Do You Mix Peppermint Oil For Roaches?
You can create a peppermint oil-based roach repellent by mixing this essential oil with different things. These are water, vinegar, or Listerine. You will also need a spray bottle.
1. Peppermint Oil With Water
- Fill a spray bottle with water, but leave room for the peppermint oil.
- Add peppermint oil (10-15 drops) to the water.
- Screw the spray bottle cap on tightly and shake the mixture well.
- Spray the areas you suspect roaches hide or you’ve seen them with peppermint oil, such as near baseboards, inside cabinets, and your pantry.
- Repeat the process as needed, typically every 2-3 days.
2. Peppermint Oil With White Vinegar
Roaches hate the smell of vinegar, so why not use it to make a stronger peppermint oil solution treatment? As mentioned earlier, mix a 2:1 peppermint oil and white vinegar ratio, then add 10 to 15 drops of peppermint oil.
3. Peppermint Oil With Listerine
Listerine is an excellent ingredient for making a roach repellent because cockroaches hate the essential oils found in it. Create the treatment by mixing water (a cup), Listerine (a cup), and peppermint oil ( 3 to 4 drops).
How Often Should You Spray Peppermint Oil For Roaches?
To be effective, apply peppermint oil spray every 2 to 3 days. Spray the solution in places roaches are commonly found. These are
- Bathroom corners
- Around and behind cupboards
- Behind refrigerators
- Under sinks
- Drain pipes
- Toilet bowls
- Bathroom and kitchen drain openings
- Unused rooms such as attics
- Dark corners
Does Peppermint Oil Kill Roaches?
Peppermint oil does not contain insecticidal properties needed to kill roaches, so it is not usually used to kill these bugs but effectively repels them. However, peppermint oil solution with over 3% mint oil can kill cockroaches but with direct and continuous exposure.
How Long Does It Take For Peppermint Oil To Kill Roaches?
The duration peppermint oil takes to kill roaches varies depending on its concentration. For instance, the Agricultural and Urban Entomology journal shows that 3.5% peppermint oil kills roaches in 4.1 hours after exposure, while 100% peppermint oil kills them in 1 hour and 4 minutes.
Summary
Peppermint oil repels roaches but isn’t a long-term cockroach control method. However, it offers temporary relief, and you cannot solely rely on it to eliminate roaches. It’s best to address what’s causing the roach infestation in the first place.
Reference
- Cornell University – Peppermint Oil
I’m Mike Hyle, an exterminator with 7+ years of experience handling all sorts of pests, including mice, cockroaches, bed bugs, and termites. I also write for Pest Solutions DIY blog to share my knowledge and help homeowners keep their homes pest-free. Outside work, I enjoy hunting, snowshoeing, and exploring nature. Check out my blog for helpful pest control tips!