Can Cedar Shards Be Used to Repel Roaches?

Cockroaches are insects that can invade your home and live in large numbers in the walls. They are attracted to food and will live and hide in dark, cool places. With their hard shells, they are very hard to kill, and since they live in such high numbers, killing all of them is extremely difficult without a poison or roach deterrent. It is much easier to prevent roaches than it is to kill them once they are in your home. Cedar shards, pepper sprays, boric acid and catnip can all be used to deter roaches.

Cedar Shards

• Cedar shards are a safe and organic roach deterrent. Roaches don't like the smell of cedar, so if you keep cedar in dark corners of your home and in infrequently used areas, like attics, basements and closets, roaches will stay away.

Hot Pepper Sprays

• Hot pepper sprays are a deterrent for bugs and animals. They don't like the smell or the taste, so spraying hot pepper or keeping chili pepper mixes around the house will keep roaches and other pests away.

Boric Acid

• You can get boric acid at any pharmacy. Boil it until it dissolves, then put it in a spray bottle. Spray the top of all of your wooden cabinets and dark corners of your home. If a bug tries to enter your home where you sprayed boric acid, it will bring the acid back to its nest and kill other bugs. Boric acid is toxic when ingested, so keep it away from children and pets.

Catnip

• In areas with cockroaches, leave a small bag of capnip. The active ingredient in catnip, nepetalactone, is non-toxic to humans and pets and a repellent for roaches. Since cats are attracted to catnip, this should not be used in homes with cats.

Fumigation

• If you already have a colony of roaches in your home, you might need to hire an exterminator who will fumigate your home. This can be a very invasive process, so it is best to prevent the roaches if possible.