{"id":14507,"date":"2016-10-13T16:01:56","date_gmt":"2016-10-13T15:01:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rentokil.ie\/blog\/\/?p=14507"},"modified":"2026-04-17T15:19:52","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T14:19:52","slug":"myth-busting-diy-cockroach-control","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rentokil.ie\/blog\/myth-busting-diy-cockroach-control\/","title":{"rendered":"Myth Busting: How To Get Rid Of Cockroach – DIY Control"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Rentokil<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Both homeowners and businesses have good reason to be concerned about cockroaches. How to get rid of cockroaches is the first thing that comes to mind when people see a cockroach<\/a> scuttling across your floor, they\u2019ll think that your premises are dirty, unhygienic and even unhealthy. Remember that cockroaches can spread a range of diseases, as well as trigger asthma and other allergies!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, when people discover cockroaches<\/a> in their premises, their first reaction is often to try and deal with the problem themselves. Indeed, some of these do-it-yourself (DIY) solutions can initially appear to be successful. However, they rarely solve the problem in the long term, with the result that infestations may recur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Get Rid Of Cockroaches – Home Remedies <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take a closer look at some of these DIY remedies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fabric softener<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Can fabric softener kill cockroaches? Many people believe that fabric softeners suffocate cockroaches<\/a> by blocking their skin pores. You can create a spray by mixing three parts fabric softener with two parts water. You then spray the mix near cockroach hotspots such as drains and bins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fabric softener mix can indeed kill cockroaches<\/a>. However, for this method to be effective, you need to apply it directly to the cockroaches. It won\u2019t affect any insects that it doesn\u2019t touch. It is very difficult to spray the mix directly on the cockroaches because they usually hide themselves from humans. Therefore, this method is unlikely to clear an cockroach infestation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soap and water  <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If fabric softener doesn\u2019t work, what about just using soap and water? This solution is also believed to suffocate cockroaches<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem again is that the solution has to be applied directly on the cockroaches<\/a>, which if very difficult to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lemon<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Is it true that cockroaches can\u2019t stand the scent of lemon? Many people use a solution of water and lemon juice to clean their home after a cockroach sighting<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This method is effective, but not for the reason you might think. The scent of lemons does not affect cockroaches<\/a> at all. What is effective, however, is cleaning your home!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coffee grounds<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Coffee can be used in two ways to deal with cockroaches<\/a>. First, you can make a trap using a jar, water and coffee grounds. The cockroaches are attracted to the coffee and drown in the trap. Alternatively, you can sprinkle coffee around your home to repel the cockroaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did you notice the problem with these two methods? One method assumes that cockroaches<\/a> are attracted to coffee, while the other assumes they are repelled by it! Actually, cockroaches are indifferent to coffee. They neither love nor hate it. So coffee is unlikely to be an effective element in your DIY solution<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bay leaves<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cockroaches are believed to find the smell of bay leaves repellent. According to this DIY solution, you need to crush bay leaves into a powder. You then sprinkle the powder around the cockroach hotspots<\/a> in your home. The essential oils that are released when you crush the leaves are supposed to repel the cockroaches<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is some truth in this solution. However, in order to create a smell repellent enough to irritate cockroaches<\/a>, you\u2019d need a jungle of bay leaves! The smell released by a few crushed leaves simply wouldn\u2019t be powerful enough. After all, these are insects that will merrily tuck into animal faeces, so the smell of a little powder is unlikely to bother them too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cucumber<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is thought that cockroaches also hate the smell of cucumbers. One popular DIY method<\/a> is to place cucumber slices or peels overnight near cockroach hotspots<\/a> such as sinks, kitchen counters, and cabinets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, cockroaches<\/a> don\u2019t really mind the smell of cucumber. And this method might have the unintended consequence of attracting cockroaches to a free cucumber dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So how can you get rid of cockroaches yourself<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Rentokil<\/a>
Click here to find out 5 ways to get rid of cockroaches<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Simply use a mop and bucket!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cockroaches<\/a> are attracted to filth and food. If you remove the filth and food, you make your home less attractive to cockroaches. So you need to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n