Roaches are the stuff of nightmares. These little creatures are disgusting and have been known to spread disease. They can be annoying, too: Roaches make loud noises as they move around at night, so when you’re trying to sleep or rest, it’s hard not to hear them skittering around on walls and floors. Worst of all?
Roach infestations can lead to serious health problems if left untreated for too long. And the smell that accompanies roaches is truly awful!
Fortunately, there are some simple ways you can get rid of your roach problem once and for all using items found in your own kitchen cabinets—as well as some natural remedies that will keep them away for good!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Getting rid of cockroach smell requires identifying and eliminating the source of the odor. |
| Proper sanitation is crucial for eliminating cockroach infestations and preventing foul odors. |
| Using home remedies like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice can neutralize cockroach smell. |
| Sealing cracks and installing door sweeps can help prevent future infestations and odors. |
| In some cases, it may be necessary to call in a professional pest control service to fully eliminate a cockroach infestation. |
Smoke Out A Smelly Roach
If you want to get rid of a cockroach smell, create your own smoke. The smoke will help cover up odors, and it may work as an insect repellent.
In order to make the best use of this technique, you should first locate the hiding places where your roaches are likely to be found. Next, light incense or a candle in these areas and leave them there for several hours at least twice a day until all traces of odor disappear.
Using an aerosol can filled with water can also help alleviate any lingering smells or odors left behind by roaches or their droppings on items in your home (such as electronics).
Spray liberally over surfaces where cockroaches have been seen before moving on from those areas so that no part remains untouched under layers of spray solution.”
Dealing with cockroaches can be challenging, but making effective traps can make a big difference. Check out our guide on how to make cockroach traps to learn more about effective ways to trap cockroaches.
Use Water And Detergent
The first thing you should do is mix water with detergent in a spray bottle. Instead of using plain water, adding a few drops of detergent to the mixture will help it stick to the roaches’ bodies and legs. Now that you have everything prepared, it’s time to start spraying!
The objective here is not just to kill them but also wipe away their odor. That’s why we recommend leaving this mixture on for at least 30 minutes before disposal.
Afterward, simply rinse off your countertops and cabinets thoroughly with soap and warm water (or even better yet: vinegar).
| Steps |
|---|
| Mix water and detergent in a bowl or spray bottle. |
| Apply the mixture to any surfaces affected by cockroach odor. |
| Leave the mixture on for at least 10 minutes. |
| Wipe or scrub the surfaces with a clean cloth or sponge. |
| Repeat as necessary until the odor is eliminated. |
Apply Boric Acid
So, to get rid of your roach problem, you need to apply boric acid where they are seen. This can be done by purchasing a bottle of boric acid powder at the hardware store and sprinkling it into areas where cockroaches have been seen.
Boric acid powder can also be mixed with sugar and placed in food dishes which will attract the roaches and kill them when they eat it.
Leave Out A Wine Trap
If you’re looking for an inexpensive and effective way to eliminate roaches, look no further than a wine trap.
This is a homemade device that attracts cockroaches with the scent of fermented grapes and then drowns them in water when they try to get at it. The process is simple:
- Take a plastic container (a tuna can works well) and place a few pieces of bread or even some raw rice inside it—this will serve as bait.
- Put an upside-down funnel into the middle of your container’s lid, then fill up the container with water until most of its surface area is covered but not so much that it overflows when you add more bait later on (the exact amount will vary depending on how large your container is).
Keeping cockroaches out of your bedroom can be a challenge, but there are steps you can take to prevent them from entering. Check out our guide on how to avoid cockroaches in bedroom to learn more about ways to keep your bedroom bug-free
Spread Pet-Safe Roach Bait
Pet-safe roach bait is a great way to get rid of roaches. You can buy it at your local hardware store and use it just like any other insecticide, but the difference is that it won’t harm your pet. If you have pets in the house, this will be important information for you because most insecticides are harmful to animals.
The best way to distribute pet-safe roach bait is in small places where you think the insects will be drawn to it—under cabinets or behind appliances are good options.
You should also consider putting some bait inside any holes that might allow access points into your home from outdoors, such as around windowsills or doorsills and in cracks along baseboards where they’re less likely to be disturbed by people walking around every day.
How often should someone apply pet-safe roach bait? It depends on how bad their infestation problem is: generally speaking though, once every month will keep things under control if there aren’t too many cockroaches roaming around!
Do note however that this method may not work if there’s already a lot of damage done due to previous infestations; if so then these steps may need repeating multiple times before all traces of life from these pests disappear completely (in which case we recommend consulting an exterminator).
Sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth (DE) Powder
Diatomaceous earth (DE) powder is a natural insecticide that you can use to get rid of cockroaches. You may have seen it in your local garden store as an all-natural, eco-friendly way to control pests.
It’s made from fossilized remains of diatoms — an ancient type of algae that lived hundreds of millions of years ago — and works by cutting through the exoskeleton on adult cockroaches and nymphs, causing them to dehydrate.
It’s not harmful to humans or pets but should not be consumed by children under age three because it can cause intestinal blockages in those who are too young to expel the substance without medical attention.
In some cases, DE has been known to irritate eyes when used improperly or accidentally inhaled while sprinkling it around a room.
Preventing cockroaches from infesting your apartment can be a daunting task, but there are steps you can take to keep them at bay. Check out our guide on how to prevent cockroaches in apartment to learn more about effective ways to keep your apartment roach-free.
Hang A Glue Strip Or Two
To use this method, you must first clean the area where the glue strip will be hung. You can also hang a second glue strip in another area of your home that is known to have roaches, but it’s important that you do not disturb either of them!
Once they have been placed, let them sit overnight and check back in the morning—you may find that there are some roaches stuck to them already! If so, remove any dead insects with a pair of tongs or other tool before placing new traps in those same areas.
| Steps |
|---|
| Purchase a glue strip or two from a home improvement or hardware store. |
| Hang the strip near the area where the roaches are present. |
| Replace the strip as soon as it becomes covered in dead roaches. |
| Dispose of the strip and any captured roaches in a plastic bag. |
| Repeat the process until the roaches and odor are eliminated. |
Take Advantage Of Bay Leaves’ Pleasant Odor
If you have a bay leaf on hand and are looking for an alternative to using chemicals, you can use it to repel cockroaches.
The scent of bay leaves is very pleasant and many people enjoy cooking with them. So if you’re looking for a way to get rid of cockroach smell that doesn’t involve any harsh chemicals or sprays, consider adding some bay leaves into your pest control strategy.
Bay leaves emit an aromatic scent that has been shown to repel insects such as mosquitoes and cockroaches from entering your home (1).
You can also use bay sticks made from dried bay leaves in place of commercial insect repellents like bug spray when going out camping or hiking in the woods where there are likely to be more bugs flying around (2).
Safely disposing of cockroaches is an important step in preventing infestations and the unpleasant smells that come with them. Check out our guide on how to dispose of cockroaches to learn more about effective ways to get rid of these pesky bugs.
Boil Lemon Peels In Water
Boil lemon peels in water. This can be a helpful way to get rid of cockroach smell because lemons are known for their disinfectant properties, which is why they’re often used to clean kitchen counters and surfaces.
The downside is that it may take some time for the solution to work, so you’ll want to leave it overnight before using it on your furniture and other surfaces.
To make this solution:
Fill a pot with water and add several slices of lemon peel. A large stockpot makes an ideal vessel for this task!
Place the pot on the stovetop and heat over medium-high heat until boiling point is reached; then turn off the heat source before covering with a lid so steam will move freely into air circulation holes.
(Do not cover tightly as much steam needs room inside.) Let sit overnight at least 12 hours preferably 24 hours or even longer depending on how bad infestation is; strain water through cheesecloth or filter paper into spray bottle.
Make sure there’s no residual lemon pulp left behind because otherwise dirt/dust etc could clog up sprayer heads thus making annoying messes later down line (not good).
Place Soapy Water In Small Bowls Around Your Home
It’s a great way to kill cockroaches without the use of toxic chemicals. Soapy water will not damage your furniture or clothing, and it can be reused if you catch roaches before they escape, so there are no harmful side effects for anyone in your home.
Soapy water is easy to make and can be used in small bowls around the house to deter cockroaches from coming in contact with it.
Just fill large bowls with warm water and add 1 tablespoon of liquid soap (dishwashing liquid works well). The roaches won’t like the slippery surface that results from adding soap to their environment!
Suffering from a cockroach allergy can be uncomfortable and even dangerous, but there are steps you can take to manage your symptoms. Check out our guide on how to treat cockroach allergy to learn more about simple tips for allergy relief
Sprinkle Ground Coffee Beans In The Roach-Infested Area
Coffee grounds are a natural cockroach repellent, but they can also be used as an insecticide to kill roaches. It works by dehydrating them, so it’s safe for use around pets and children.
You can sprinkle coffee grounds in areas where you’ve seen roaches or have reason to believe that the pests are hiding out, such as under furniture or in cabinets.
If your pet is particularly sensitive to caffeine (for example, cats), you should try giving it away from those areas if possible.
You could also use this method in combination with other methods: sprinkling coffee grounds on top of sticky traps will help prevent any surviving insects from escaping when they’re trapped by the glue;
If you have any old newspapers lying around near where you’ve seen evidence of infestation (like droppings), sprinkle some inside those papers before adding them back into their original location—this will ensure that the paper absorbs any residual odors left behind by dead roaches;
If you have a large indoor space with plenty of cracks between walls and floors where these pests like hiding out (like basements), spread some coffee grounds on top of these areas instead–you’ll want to make sure there aren’t any pets nearby first though!
Scatter Dry Mothballs Around The Room
Another option is to sprinkle mothballs around the area where you’ve seen roaches. This can be done in the attic, basement, and living room.
However, keep in mind that mothballs are poisonous to humans and pets as well as cockroaches, so don’t use them anywhere pets may come into contact with them. Also remember that mothballs give off a particularly strong scent that might cause respiratory problems if inhaled for too long.
You should also never use mothballs in your kitchen or bathroom since they could contaminate food or get into drains (and thus down the toilet) and harm human health if ingested accidentally.
Conclusion
We hope these tips helped you get rid of cockroach smell. If the infestation is severe and you can’t stop yourself from feeling anxious about it, we recommend consulting a professional exterminator.
Further Reading
Pest Samurai – How to Get Rid of Cockroach Smell: Pest Samurai provides valuable insights on how to eliminate cockroach smell using simple ingredients found in your pantry.
PF Harris – How to Get Rid of Roach Smell: In addition to effective solutions for getting rid of roach smell, PF Harris also provides actionable tips for preventing roach infestations in the future.
Top Best – Ways to Remove Cockroach Smell: Top Best discusses the causes of cockroach smell and offers practical ways to eliminate it from your home.
FAQs
What causes cockroach smell?
Cockroach smell comes from pheromones that cockroaches release when they interact or die. It can also come from their feces, saliva or exoskeleton
What are the health risks of cockroach smell?
Cockroach smell could indicate a cockroach infestation and may cause respiratory issues and allergies, especially for people who are asthmatic.
What are some DIY ways to get rid of cockroach smell?
Vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice are just a few examples of household ingredients that can be used to neutralize cockroach smell.
How do I prevent cockroach smell in the future?
Prevention starts with proper sanitation, sealing and caulking cracks, installing door sweeps, regular cleaning and scheduling regular pest control visits.
How long does cockroach smell linger?
Cockroach smell can persist for a few weeks even after the source of the smell has been removed, but this varies depending on how severe the infestation was.
Hello! I’m Hellen James, and I write about how to keep pests from invading your home. For the last 10 years, I’ve been working in pest control and am excited to share my expertise with you!
