10 Candle Scents That Keep Roaches Away (And How To Use Them)
Candles offer more than just a warm ambiance and pleasant fragrance. They can also serve as a natural way to repel cockroaches from your home! To protect your space from these pesky invaders, it’s time to consider the benefits of candles scented with natural ingredients known to frighten off roaches.
When it comes to understanding the reasons why certain candle scents can repel roaches, the answer lies in the aroma’s effect on their senses. Roaches navigate by detecting scents in their environment, and strong odors can interfere with their ability to find food and shelter.
Utilizing candle scents that mimic the aroma of natural repellents can help create a roach-free environment, ensuring that these unwelcome visitors leave your home in search of more favorable conditions. Let’s get to some more of the specifics!
Key Takeaways:
- Candles with specific scents can repel cockroaches
- Roaches rely on their sense of smell, and strong odors can disrupt their navigation
- Natural ingredients in scented candles can effectively create a roach-free environment within your home
Best Locations To Use Scented Candles To Repel Cockroaches
Cockroaches and The Kitchen
Cockroaches are notorious for being attracted to kitchens. With an abundance of food, water, and hiding spots, it’s no wonder they love this room. These pesky insects can sense smell with their antennae, which allows them to locate food sources easily.
Dealing with a cockroach infestation in your kitchen can be quite frustrating. In order to combat a roach problem, it is essential to maintain proper sanitation and cleanliness.
Using candle scents to keep roaches away is a creative approach. Roaches despise certain smells, so incorporating scented candles can repel them from your kitchen area. For example, an article from the Journal of Pesticide Science found that citrus scents were effective repellents against cockroaches, reaching repellency of up to 96.7%.
Roaches in Bathrooms and Basements
Roaches are not only infiltrating your kitchen but can often be found in bathrooms and basements, too! The moist and dark conditions of these spaces appeal to the American cockroach. They tend to seek shelter in damp and gloomy areas, making your bathroom and basement their ideal hideout.
Here are some handy ways to incorporate candle scents into your bathroom and basement in order to keep roaches at bay:
- Place scented candles near entry points: Locating candles near possible entrances for roaches can prevent them from gaining access to these spaces.
- Strategically position candles around the room: Place scented candles in different areas of your bathroom and basement to ensure the scent is dispersed throughout.
- Create DIY scented wax melts: Use strong-smelling wax melts to spread the scent in multiple locations at once.
- Combine scents for added effectiveness: Mixing various scents can provide an even better repellent.
- Opt for continuous candle burning: Keeping scented candles lit for extended periods ensures that the smell remains strong and potent.
- Utilize essential oils in tandem with candles: Adding essential oils to the melted wax of your candles can help boost the intensity of the aroma.
By following these steps and using the power of scent, you can reduce the likelihood of a cockroach infestation in your home.
Natural Candle Scents That Repel Roaches And Why
You might be surprised to learn that some natural candle scents can help keep roaches at bay. Roaches, just like humans, have a sense of smell, but they’re quite sensitive to strong scents. Lucky for you, some essential oils found in various candles produce smells that roaches absolutely detest.
Let’s dive into some natural candle scents that will make your home roach-free!
Mint & Peppermint
These scents are derived from plants in the Mentha family, including peppermint and spearmint. The strong, cool aroma of these essential oils is repulsive to roaches and can help keep them away. Try out Dianne’s Custom Candles Peppermint 3-Wick Candle and watch it work wonders to repel roaches.
Lemon & Citrus
Bright, citrusy scents like lemon, lime, and orange can also be great at repelling roaches. You see, these oils contain compounds like limonene that make them effective roach deterrents. HHI’s Sicilian Citrus Scented Candle combines the powerful scent of orange, lemon, and eucalyptus for a triple whammy against cockroaches.
Eucalyptus & Tea Tree Oil
The potent scents of eucalyptus and tea tree oil can do wonders in keeping roaches out of your home. Both essential oils come from trees native to Australia and have been used for centuries for their antimicrobial properties.
Cinnamon & Citronella
Warm, spicy cinnamon and fresh, lemony citronella can also help in your roach-repelling mission. These strong scents are unappealing to roaches, and they’ll think twice about infiltrating your home. Shortie’s Candle Company Cinnamon Bark Highly Scented Natural 3 Wick Candle is an excellent way to spread this delightful scent throughout the home.
Thyme & Oregano
Finally, don’t underestimate the power of herbs like thyme and oregano. These essential oils contain compounds like carvacrol and thymol, which are repulsive to roaches.
So, light up some herbal-scented candles, and keep those pesky roaches away.
How To Use Candle Scents To Repel Roaches
Now that you know which scents to look for, let’s get creative with ways to use them!
- Burn scented candles: Place specially scented candles (think: mint, citrus, eucalyptus, etc.) in areas where you’ve spotted roaches. The scent will fill your living space and drive them away.
- Candle centerpieces: Create a beautiful centerpiece for your table with scented candles to keep roaches from joining your family dinner.
- Threshold candles: Place candles scented with repelling essential oils near entryways, windows, and any spots where roaches might sneak into your home.
- Wax melts: If you’re concerned about an open flame, wax melts are a great alternative. Use a wax warmer to disperse the scent of roach-repelling essential oils throughout your home.
- DIY candles: Feeling crafty? Make your own candles using your preferred roach-repelling essential oils and enjoy a pest-free, personalized atmosphere.
- Outdoor candles: Don’t forget your outdoor spaces! Light scented candles on your patio or deck to keep roaches from taking up residence in your favorite relaxation spot.
By incorporating these natural candle scents, you can make your home an unwelcoming environment for roaches.
Commercial Roach Deterrents
When dealing with roaches, many may choose to explore commercial options to keep these pesky invaders at bay! Pesticides, traps, and insecticides are common choices, but for those seeking more natural alternatives, candle scents might be the answer!
One option to deter roaches is borax. Combined with sugar, it can act as a roach deterrent. However, remember to handle borax carefully. BORAX 20 Mule Team is the industry standard.
Another effective substance is diatomaceous earth. Spread it around areas where roaches frequent, and its abrasive quality will make them think twice about sticking around. Test out HARRIS Diatomaceous Earth to keep roaches away from specific areas.
Pest control services and exterminators are professionals trained to handle roach infestations. They utilize commercial solutions, like traps and insecticides, to tackle roaches. Check out our nationwide pest control finder to connect with a local professional.
Through methods like commercial deterrents or natural alternatives like scented candles, tackling roach infestations can become a more manageable task. With these scent-based solutions, you can ensure that your home is a less attractive place for roaches to congregate.
How to Create a Roach-Free Environment
Maintaining a roach-free environment in your home is essential for the well-being of your family and pets. As mentioned before, one natural method to repel these undesirable insects is by using candle scents.
Research has shown that certain scents can be effective in deterring pests like cockroaches without posing harm to humans or animals. Let’s explore why candle scents can help keep roaches at bay and some creative ways to use them!
Cockroaches prefer dark, damp crevices and holes for shelter, making it necessary to eliminate these hiding spots. A delightful attribute of scented candles is their subtle odor, which can mask human and pet odors that might otherwise attract roaches.
There are at least six creative ways to utilize candle scents for roach prevention:
- Strategically place scented candles in areas of your home where you have noticed roach activity, such as the kitchen or bathroom.
- Line potential entry points (like crevices and openings) with scented candles to create a barrier that deters roaches from entering your living space.
- Incorporate decorative candle arrangements into your home decor, ensuring that scents are both visually appealing and purposeful.
- Set up a regular candle-burning routine to maintain a consistent scent throughout your home, making it less inviting to roaches.
- Experiment with a variety of scents, as certain smells may be more effective in repelling roaches than others.
- Create a scent trail using candles, leading roaches away from your home’s essential living areas.
By integrating these strategies, you can create a roach-free environment with the pleasant aroma of scented candles! As an added bonus, scented candles provide a cozy ambiance to your home while requiring minimal effort on your part.
Other Natural Ways To Deter Roaches
You might think that keeping roaches away is a tall order! But in addition to scented candles, there are plenty of other natural ways to deter roaches.
Here are some natural ways to keep roaches away from your home:
Natural Repellent | How to Use | Best Place to Use |
---|---|---|
Peppermint Oil | Mix 10-15 drops of peppermint oil with water and spray around baseboards, corners, and entry points. | Kitchen, bathroom, and other areas where cockroaches are commonly found. |
Bay Leaves | Place bay leaves in cupboards, drawers, and other areas where cockroaches are commonly found. | Kitchen and pantry. |
Garlic | Crush garlic cloves and place them in areas where cockroaches are commonly found. | Kitchen and other areas where food is stored. |
Cucumber | Place cucumber slices in areas where cockroaches are commonly found. | Kitchen and other areas where food is stored. |
Catnip | Place catnip leaves or sachets in areas where cockroaches are commonly found. | Kitchen and other areas where food is stored. |
Borax | Mix equal parts of borax and sugar and sprinkle around baseboards, corners, and entry points. | Kitchen, bathroom, and other areas where cockroaches are commonly found. |
Clean Kitchen | Keep kitchen counters, floors, and appliances clean and free of crumbs and spills. | Kitchen |
Empty Garbage | Regularly empty garbage cans and keep them tightly sealed. | Kitchen and other areas where garbage is generated. |
Fix Leaks | Repair any leaky pipes or faucets to eliminate sources of standing water. | Bathroom, kitchen, and other areas with plumbing. |
Seal Cracks | Seal any cracks or gaps in walls, floors, and around pipes to prevent cockroaches from entering. | All areas of the home. |
Additional Scents To Put In Candles
In your pursuit of an all-natural pest-free home, the following substances can be incorporated into your candles:
- Peppermint oil
- Citronella oil
- Lavender essential oil
- Cloves
- Garlic powder
- Cardamom
By adding these scents to your candles, you can create a roach-unfriendly atmosphere while maintaining a pleasant-smelling home. Keep in mind that although these scented candles can help deter roaches, they are not a foolproof solution. A combination of preventative measures is always the best course of action.
That’s All For Now!
Candle scents can be an effective method to keep roaches away from your home! Due to their highly sensitive antennae, roaches are repelled by specific scents. So, rest assured, you can add more than just a pleasant aroma to your space with these candles!
Candle scents work as a natural solution as they release fragrances that roaches find unfavorable. This means you can maintain a pest-free home without resorting to harsh chemicals or traps.
Here’s a review of six creative ways to use candles to ward off roaches:
- Strategically place scented candles near potential roach entry points like cracks, windows, and doors.
- Consider experimenting with different scents known to deter roaches, such as peppermint, eucalyptus, or lavender.
- For optimal protection, light candles in areas where you’ve noticed roach activity.
- Combine candle scents with other natural roach repellents like boric acid or diatomaceous earth for enhanced effectiveness.
- Rotate scents regularly to ensure roaches don’t grow accustomed to any particular fragrance.
- Finally, consider using decorative candleholders to blend in with your home’s décor while serving their roach-repellent purpose!
Using candle scents is an easy and pleasant way to drive those pesky roaches away from your sanctuary. With a bit of creativity, you can incorporate these scented candles into your home’s defense strategy and breathe easier knowing you’re deterring those unwanted visitors in a natural and fragrant manner.
Zack is a Nature & Wildlife specialist based in Upstate, NY, and is the founder of his Tree Journey and Pest Pointers brands. He has a vast experience with nature while living and growing up on 50+ acres of fields, woodlands, and a freshwater bass pond. Zack has encountered many pest situations over the years and has spent his time maintaining and planting over 35 species of trees since his youth with his family on their property.
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