Repel Roaches Naturally With Two Common Kitchen Ingredients

Cockroaches! Their invasion into your home is no mere chance but a carefully planned expedition driven by the quest for food, moisture, and shelter. And their presence is not just a nuisance. Unbeknownst to many, these unwanted pests carry health hazards, triggering allergies and asthma in susceptible individuals (per the National Center for Healthy Housing). While chemical-based poisons can be potent weaponry against these intruders, they should never be your first line of defense. Rummage through your pantry instead, and you'll be surprised that it houses two unlikely heroes capable of mounting a formidable resistance against roaches: onions and baking soda.

Why this unusual pairing for getting rid of cockroaches, you wonder? Herein lies an intriguing scientific saga. Baking soda, when ingested, interacts with fluids inside the roach's body fluids, generating a carbonic reaction that produces gas and heat. Unable to escape, this gas expands within their exoskeleton, leading to fatal internal pressure build-up that triggers fatal fracture in the roach's otherwise impervious exoskeleton. But therein lies a conundrum. Roaches won't voluntarily eat baking soda. The solution lies in lacing the aroma of onions with baking soda, luring the unwelcome guests to unwittingly consume the deadly bait.

With a bit of baking soda, one onion, a mixing bowl, a spoon, some shallow containers, and disposable gloves for safe mixing, you're fully equipped to strike back at cockroaches. Start by prepping the onion — peel the skin and cut it into small pieces. You don't need the precision of a sushi chef; just make sure they're small enough to mingle with the baking soda. You can even grate the onion; the roaches won't mind. In the mixing bowl, sprinkle baking soda over the chopped onion, nurturing a perfect blend of roach-annihilating goodness. Mix well, using a spoon to ensure an even distribution. Remember to wear disposable gloves during this step — baking soda may be mild, but it can strip natural oils from your skin, sometimes causing irritation and itchiness (per Healthline).

The stage is set and now it's time to bait and wait. Identify the enemy's lounging spots, where you've spotted their sneaky activities. Deploy your lethal onion and baking soda concoction into shallow containers or lids, leaving them in strategic locations to maximize roach exposure. Ideal battlefronts are beneath kitchen appliances, within cabinets, in bathroom and closet corners, tucked behind furniture, and snuggled against baseboards. Carefully monitor these spots, checking every few days for signs of impact. If the mixture appears too dry and undisturbed, swap it out with a fresh batch for maximum efficacy.

If you're sharing your home with a four-legged pal, you've got to keep an extra vigilant eye. Baking soda, though a handy roach assassin, can create health problems for your feline and canine companions if gobbled down in large quantities (per the American College of Veterinary Pharmacists). The American Kennel Club states that onions are also incredibly toxic so be sure to move your pets away from the roach kill zone. Also note that a roach's exoskeleton won't necessarily crack due to baking soda, but it will become immobilized and eventually die due to starvation or predation. Be aware that you'll be left with the aftermath of removing the war casualties.

Now, onto plan B: You can swap onions for sugar to keep roaches out of your home, thanks to its appealing glucose content. Or, you might want to sprinkle boric acid on a spoonful of peanut butter. Not quite satisfied? A dash of diatomaceous earth can do the trick, too. But there's a limit to every DIY pest control endeavor. If the roach escapade escalates into a crisis, it's time to hand over the baton to a professional. Regular cleaning sessions, prompt waste management, and sealing up possible entry points are inexpensive tips to keep roaches out of your home.