India

7 indoor plants that may help keep cockroaches away from home

Mint
iStock
1/7
Mint
Mint is probably the most well known natural cockroach deterrent. The strong menthol smell is something cockroaches actively avoid. A study published in the Journal of Economic Entomology confirmed that peppermint oil has significant repellent effects on cockroaches. Keep a pot of mint near the kitchen window or sink area. It also doubles as a fresh cooking herb.
Lavender
iStock
2/7
Lavender
Lavender's scent is calming for humans but deeply off-putting to cockroaches. The plant contains linalool, a natural compound that acts as an insect repellent. Research in the journal Molecules has documented linalool's repellent properties against several common household insects. A small lavender pot near the kitchen entrance or on the windowsill is a good starting point.
Catnip
iStock
3/7
Catnip
Catnip contains nepetalactone, a compound that has shown strong cockroach repellent properties in controlled studies. Iowa State University researchers found that nepetalactone is significantly more effective at repelling cockroaches than many chemical repellents at equivalent concentrations. It is easy to grow indoors and requires very little maintenance, making it a practical kitchen plant.
Bay Laurel
iStock
4/7
Bay Laurel
Bay leaves are a staple in Indian cooking, and the same strong aroma that makes them useful in food is what cockroaches dislike. The eucalyptol compounds in bay laurel leaves are natural insect deterrents. Studies indexed in PubMed have noted bay leaf extracts showing repellent activity against common household pests. Keep a small pot near dry food storage areas.
Rosemary
iStock
5/7
Rosemary
Rosemary contains camphor and other aromatic compounds that insects, including cockroaches, tend to avoid. It is a hardy plant that does well near a sunny kitchen window. Research published in Pest Management Science found rosemary oil extracts to have measurable repellent activity against insects in indoor environments. As a bonus, it is one of the more useful herbs to have fresh in a kitchen.
Chrysanthemum
iStock
6/7
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums contain pyrethrin, a natural insecticidal compound that is actually the basis for many commercial insect repellent products. The US Environmental Protection Agency recognises pyrethrin as a botanical insecticide derived from chrysanthemum flowers. Keeping a pot near kitchen corners or entry points may help deter cockroaches naturally. They also brighten up the space considerably.
Lemon Balm
iStock
7/7
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm has a sharp citrus scent that cockroaches find repellent. It belongs to the mint family and contains many of the same aromatic compounds. A review in the Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases noted lemon balm extracts showing insect repellent activity in several tested conditions. It is easy to grow in a small pot and thrives well in Indian kitchen conditions with moderate sunlight.
(Disclaimer: This story is for educational purposes alone )
Open in App
Success
This article has been saved