Ever wondered which smells cockroaches can’t stand? Many people do. Roaches are tough pests that often invade homes and multiply quickly, so getting rid of them is important. While some use strong chemicals, you don’t always need harsh sprays. Some natural scents can help keep your home free of roaches.
This guide will explore a wide range of scents that cockroaches can’t stand and, more importantly, how to use them effectively. Whether you’re looking for a DIY cockroach treatment or want to learn how to keep roaches away with natural solutions, these scent-based strategies can help you reclaim your space.
What Scents Repel Cockroaches?
Essential oils and common kitchen spices both have strong smells that can help keep cockroaches out of your home. Here are some of the best options.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts with powerful aromas that can overwhelm a cockroach’s sensitive antennae. (Thavara et al., 2007) Many also contain natural insecticidal properties. (Repellency of Plant Essential Oils Against Adult Cockroaches, 2025, pp. 153-162)
- Peppermint Oil: The strong menthol scent of peppermint oil is a well-known roach repellent. (Does Peppermint Attract Roaches? The Truth About This Popular Pest Repellent, 2025) Mix several drops with water and spray them around entry points and in areas where you’ve seen activity.
- Eucalyptus Oil: This oil is effective at both repelling and killing cockroaches. (Sharififard & al., 2016) Dilute it with water and spray along baseboards and in dark corners.
- Lavender Oil: While calming to humans, the floral fragrance of lavender is unpleasant for roaches. Use it in a diffuser or add it to a cleaning solution to wipe down surfaces.
- Tea Tree Oil: Known for its potent insecticidal compounds, tea tree oil can disrupt the activity of cockroaches. (Does Tea Tree Oil Repel Cockroaches?, n.d.) Spray a diluted solution on countertops, sinks, and floors.
- Cedarwood Oil: The strong, woody scent of cedarwood interferes with a roach’s pheromones, which they use for communication and navigation. (Does cedar oil attract bugs?, n.d.) Apply a few drops to cotton balls and place them in closets, drawers, and other storage areas.
- Citronella Oil: Famous for repelling mosquitoes, citronella is also effective against cockroaches. (Fumigant toxicity and repellency of citronella grass essential oil (Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle) to German cockroaches (Blattella germanica L.), 2021) Soak cotton balls in the oil and place (Does Lemongrass Attract Cockroaches? Unveiling the Truth About This Aromatic Herb, 2023)them near trash cans and other areas where problems occur.
- Lemongrass Oil: Lemongrass contains citral and geraniol, two compounds known to deter roaches. Add a few drops to your mop water to clean floors and create a repellent barrier.
Kitchen Spices and Herbs
You might already have what you need to keep roaches away in your pantry. Many everyday herbs and spices have strong scents that cockroaches don’t like.
- Bay Leaves: The distinct aroma of bay leaves is unbearable to cockroaches. (Efficacy of Bay Leaves as a Natural Repellent Against Cockroaches, 2025) Crush fresh or dried leaves and sprinkle them in kitchen cabinets, pantries, and under appliances.
- Cinnamon: This popular spice has a strong scent that roaches dislike. Sprinkle cinnamon powder along baseboards, inside cupboards, and near entryways.
- Could you place chopped onions or garlic cloves in areas where you’ve spotted them? Onion and Garlic: The pungent smells of onion and garlic are natural repellers of roaches. Could you place chopped onions or garlic cloves in areas where you’ve spotted them? You can also create a spray by blending them with water.
- Chili Powder: The capsaicin in chili powder irritates cockroaches. (Kamezaki et al., 2025) Sprinkle it in corners and along walls to create a protective barrier.
- Rosemary: The potent scent of rosemary interferes with a roach’s ability to find food. (Roach repellent: 10 plants that will keep cockroaches away, n.d.) Use fresh sprigs, dried rosemary, or the essential oil on cotton balls.
- Mint Leaves: Similar to peppermint oil, fresh mint leaves can deter roaches. Scatter them in kitchen cabinets and other dark, damp areas.
Other Household Items
There are also some other common household items you can use to help keep roaches away.
- Vinegar: The acidic smell of white vinegar and apple cider vinegar disrupts the scent trails that cockroaches follow. (Does Vinegar Repel Roaches? Unveiling the Truth About This Common Household Remedy, n.d.) Use a diluted vinegar solution to clean kitchen counters, floors, and bathroom surfaces.
- Coffee Grounds: While humans love the smell of coffee, roaches find it overwhelming. (Do Coffee Grounds Attract Cockroaches?, n.d.) The pungent aroma can mask the scent of food, making it harder for them to find a meal. Place fresh coffee grounds in small bowls near potential entry points.
- Citrus Peels: Lemon, orange, and grapefruit peels contain natural repellents. (Insecticidal and Repellent Activities of Citrus Peel Oils Against Mealybug Icerya Seychellarum (Westwood), 2025) Rub the peels on surfaces or leave them near trash bins and under sinks to deter roaches.
How to Use These Scents Effectively
Knowing which smells roaches hate is just the first step. To keep them away, you’ll need to use these scents the right way and refresh them regularly.
- Create a DIY Spray: Mix 10-15 drops of your chosen essential oil (such as peppermint, eucalyptus, or tea tree) with 1 cup of water in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray daily along baseboards, under sinks, around drains, and inside cabinets.
- Use the Cotton Ball Method: Soak cotton balls in a strong essential oil, such as cedarwood or lavender. Please place them in dark, hidden spots, such as behind appliances, inside drawers, or near garbage cans. Change them every few days as the scent wears off.
- Add to Cleaning Solutions: Put a few drops of lemongrass, pine, or eucalyptus oil in your mop water. This will leave your floors smelling fresh after you clean.
- Sprinkle Powders and Herbs: Distribute crushed bay leaves, cinnamon powder, or chili powder in areas where roaches hide, such as pantries, cupboards, and under the sink.
- Diffuse the Scent: Use an essential oil diffuser with oils like lavender or rosemary to spread the fragrance throughout your living spaces, making the environment less inviting for roaches.
Tip: Be consistent. Natural scents don’t last forever, so remember to refresh your sprays, cotton balls, and herbs every few days to keep them working.
When Natural Scents Aren’t Enough
While scent-based repellents are a great preventive measure, they have their limitations. These methods deter roaches but generally don’t kill them or eliminate an established colony. Roaches are incredibly resilient and can find ways to avoid scented areas, especially if they have access to food and water elsewhere in your home. (Natural Cockroach Repellent: What Works And What Doesn’t, 2025)
You may need to consider professional pest control if you notice these signs:
- Persistent Sightings: You continue to see roaches regularly, especially during the day.
- Signs of a Colony: You find cockroach droppings (which look like black pepper), shed skins, or egg cases (oothecae).
- Odour: A Musty Odour: A large infestation can produce a strong, oily, or musty smell. (10 Powerful Smells That Cockroaches Hate and How to Use Them, n.d.)
- Roaches in Multiple Rooms: Seeing roaches in areas beyond the kitchen or bathroom suggests the infestation is spreading.
Professional pest control can find where the roaches are coming from, remove nests, and offer long-term solutions that natural repellents can’t provide on their own.
Protect Your Home from Roaches
Using scents that roaches dislike is a safe, non-toxic way to make your home less appealing to them. Combine these natural methods with good habits like cleaning up crumbs, fixing leaks, and sealing entry points to help keep cockroaches out. Reinfestation, these methods may not be sufficient. If you continue to struggle with roaches, don’t hesitate to seek professional help to ensure your home is truly pest-free.
