Roach Repellent is one part of an integrated pest control solution to rid your home of roach infestations. If roaches don’t like the environment in your home, they are less likely to enter and nest in the first place. If you can find roach repellents that don’t repel every human you meet, even better.

The following 5 roach repellents might just do the trick to make your home the last place a roach wants to live:

pepper spray – Cockroaches don’t like red pepper. Therefore, if you spray your kitchen and bathroom surfaces with a solution that contains red pepper, you will avoid those surfaces. An easy recipe to make a batch of spray is to mix 2 tablespoons of Tobasco sauce (main ingredients are red pepper and vinegar) with 1 quart of water. Pour into a pump spray bottle and spray onto surfaces. A word of caution, you will be spraying pepper spray into the air. Until the fog settles, you’ll likely sneeze more than a few times. Consider wearing a mask when applying the spray.

mothballs – Cockroaches, like moths, do not like the smell of mothballs. A common remedy is to drop a couple of mothballs behind the stove to prevent bugs from hanging out there. One or two in the cabinet under the sink can also be useful. Mothballs are not good for humans, so don’t place them near eating or food preparation areas.

cedar products – The oils in cedar wood are an effective natural burrow for a large number of insects. There are many products available to take advantage of this fact. Look for cedar veneers that can be used to line drawers and cabinets, cedar balls, blocks, chips, etc. for placing in drawers and cabinets, and (of course) cedar boards and paneling to line cabinet walls for the ultimate in protection.

peppermint oil – Peppermint oil is a main ingredient in several non-toxic roach sprays. Cockroaches avoid it, and when covered in it, they suffocate. Sprays don’t kill as quickly as typical poisons, but they are safe to use in the kitchen and around pets and children. It is possible to create a spray, such as pepper spray, by diluting some Dr. Brauner’s Peppermint Castile Soap in water and then applying it with a spray bottle. I haven’t tried it, but you may be able to create your own roach spray this way if the soap concentration is high enough.

bay leaves – Bay leaves are another envoy that prevent cockroaches. You can buy plenty of dried bay leaves in the spice section of any grocery store. Place whole leaves or small sachets of crushed leaves in cupboards and cabinets. This is a good option for kitchen cabinets.

With the exception of mothballs, none of these roach repellants contain any dangerous chemicals. Try them, in combination with baits, caulking, and applications of diatomaceous earth and boric acid to rid your home of roaches.