Fact, cockroaches are a problem. Getting rid of these pests can be overwhelming. Does Listerine, mouth wash, kill roaches? Does spraying Listerine on the roaches kill them? Listerine mouthwash is strong enough to kill if you spray it directly onto the roaches. This post will guide you on how to use mouthwash to repel and kill roaches at your home.
Attempts to get rid of roaches may lead you to a number of natural control methods such as mouthwash. Not all mouthwash are strong enough to kill pests such as cockroaches. But why is Listerine considered strong to kill roaches? It has four essential oils that include eucalyptol, methyl salicylate, thymol and menthol. These essential oils are strong enough to get rid of bacteria and repel pests.
Listerine acts a repellent to keep roaches away. The pungent minty smell is strong enough to deter roaches. But be sure to spray it frequently around your home to get desired result. For it to work effectively, you have to combine with other pest control methods.
Does Listerine Kill Cockroaches?
Yes, Listerine is one of the strongest mouthwash brand that is made to kill bacteria. This means when you spray onto the roaches directly, they will die too. Listerine has four essential oils that can not only repel roaches but also kill them. The essential oils include; menthol, eucalyptol, methyl salicylate and thymol.
Of the essential oils, eucalyptol is the active and primary ingredient. It is toxic and harmful to bacteria and roaches. This is also the case why Listerine is commonly used in insect repellent products. Tea tree oil has Listerine in large quantities.
Among other benefit of using Listerine in killing roaches include killing the ability of Listerine to penetrate the bacterial cell membranes killing them- source – Journal of Dental Hygiene. This is the case in cockroaches, it works by penetrating the cell membranes of the roaches killing them.
According to the Journal of Agriculture and Urban Entomology, the mint oil in Listerine is toxic to roaches especially on the American and German cockroaches.
Listerine mouthwash can also be added to hairspray to kill roaches that may eat your hair. The spray is sticky and when sprayed to roaches directly, it blocks their breathing holes suffocating them to death. Wipe surfaces with the hair spray to get rid of the roaches, this helps to minimize damages to your furniture or surface.
Does Listerine Repel Roaches?
As mentioned earlier, Listerine has essential oils making it one of the best mouthwash brand for repelling cockroaches. Cockroaches cannot tolerate the smell of mint; this smell is too strong for them and they’ll stay away.
When using Listerine, be sure to dilute the mouthwash. This is to avoid ending up with sticky surfaces. Alternatively, put a cup of Listerine mouthwash somewhere a corner of the house particularly where the roaches are seen more frequently. Listerine gives off a pungent smell that will repel the roaches away.
If you wish to repel the roaches away completely, be sure to combine other cockroach natural repellents. Listerine alone is not enough to repel the roaches forever. As time goes by and depending on the level of infestation, cockroaches may get used to this smell. A hungry cockroach may also ignore this smell to find food to survive. The smell may also fade and become ineffective.
Add other natural repellents to create unfavorable environment for the roaches. Include catnip, cinnamon, coffee grounds, citrus or garlic. Be sure to combine Listerine with other essential oils such as peppermint, tea tree, lavender, citronella or eucalyptus.
How To Make Spray Out Of Listerine To Kill Roaches?
To make a spray out of Listerine to kill roaches, do the following:
- Pour equal amounts of Listerine and water in a spray bottle
- Add 4 – 6 drops of dishwashing or laundry detergent to the mixture
- Stir or shake the mixture well
- Spray it onto the visible roaches
- Spray also on the areas where the roaches are lurking
- Repeat the procedure every 2 – 3 hours until all the roaches are gone completely
Can You Use Mouthwash To Get Rid Of Roaches?
Cockroaches area one of the most annoying pests. They are not only filthy but they carry and transmit harmful disease causing bacteria such as: streptococcus, salmonella, and staphylococcus.
This is a reason enough to keep the roaches out of your home. Can you use mouthwash to get rid of roaches? If you are wondering whether you can use a mouthwash to get rid of roaches, then the answer is yes. A mouth wash is good option and a natural pest control method.
Cockroaches hate the smell of natural repellents which include peppermint among other essential oils. This means spraying mouthwash around your infested home can easily drive roaches out. The smell of a mouthwash will flush them out of their colonies.
A mouthwash is not only a good option but a natural pest control method. This is to say that it is safe to use around your homes if there are pets and small children. It is free from toxic chemicals and affordable.
Here is how to use a mouthwash to repel roaches:
- Mix equal volumes of water and mouthwash
- Put the mixture in a spray bottle
- Add few drops of liquid soap
- Shake the mixture and spray evenly around your house
- Repeat the procedure after 3 – 4 hours until all the cockroaches are gone
Listerine And Peppermint Oil Spray To Repel Roaches
Remember to spray the solution directly on furniture where the roaches maybe hiding. You can alternatively use the mouthwash alongside peppermint. Here’s how to do it:
- Add 4 drops of peppermint oil to ¾ cup of mouthwash
- Pour the mixture in a spray bottle
- Add 2 cups of water
- Shake the mixture well
- Spray the solution where roaches are more likely to frequent
Spraying the solution directly onto the roaches may kill them.
Can Toothpaste Kill Cockroaches?
The thought of a mouthwash killing roaches would make one wonder a toothpaste can kill roaches too. Cockroaches being one of the most stubborn pest to kill, you would agree with me that anything that appears to get rid of roaches is worth a try.
Can toothpaste kill roaches? Some brand of toothpaste have borax as a cleaning agent for whitening teeth. Borax is made from the same chemical compound as boric acid, an active ingredient in pesticides. This is one of the reason you shouldn’t swallow toothpaste whenever you brush your teeth.
Since toothpaste has borax, it means that toothpaste can kill roaches. But for this to happen, cockroaches have to eat it. Borax doesn’t attract pests that is why it is commonly used in baits. As soon as the roaches eat the bait containing borax, they die. Upon death, other cockroaches eat the body eating the toxic borax and also end up dying.
Toothpaste has mint, cockroaches will run away from the smell of mint in toothpaste. Cockroaches hate the smell of mint, so it is highly unlikely they will eat the toothpaste. But if the toothpaste has other fruity flavor, the roaches may end up eating it and die.
Does Toothpaste Repel Cockroaches?
Most toothpastes have mint. The smell of mint is offensive to roaches; they can’t stand it. A toothpaste is therefore a good cockroach repellent. You can place a small of amount of toothpaste places that are likely frequented by roaches.
