**First, prepare a banana peel, then cut it into small pieces and put them into a container.
When you see cockroaches, the initial reaction is often to find a way to squash, kill, or repel them. However, according to scientists, using a shoe to squash cockroaches can directly spread the bacteria on their bodies into the air, which can affect your family’s health. Instead, you can use safer methods, such as sprays, to drive cockroaches out of your home.
First, prepare a banana peel, then cut it into small pieces and put them into a container. Next, add some salt and a little detergent.
Stir well. The banana peels can attract cockroaches with their food scent, while the salt and detergent can dehydrate them and obstruct their respiratory system.
At night, place the container where cockroaches frequently visit. The smell of the banana peels combined with the chemicals in the detergent will quickly eliminate the cockroaches. With just one simple step, you’ll find cockroach corpses the next morning.
Additionally, drain pipes are a common entry point for cockroaches. Therefore, keeping drain pipes clean is an effective way to prevent cockroaches.
You can add a spoonful of baking soda to a bowl of warm water (60°C), mix it well, and pour it into the drain. Studies show that baking soda is highly effective at killing cockroaches. The product, also known as pure sodium bicarbonate, contains acidic properties that destroy the digestive system of cockroaches.
If banana peels aren’t available, you can substitute with other easy-to-find materials:
**Citrus Peels**
Limonene, a key component in the oil of citrus peels such as oranges and lemons, is a cockroach repellent. Cut the citrus peels into small pieces, then soak them in a mixture of alcohol and water in a 1:3 ratio for a week. Use this mixture to spray areas where cockroaches frequently visit.
You can also use essential oils to repel insects. Essential oils like lemongrass and eucalyptus are effective at repelling cockroaches. Dilute the essential oils and spray them in areas where cockroaches are commonly seen.
**Using Bay Leaves**
Bay leaves, a common spice in the kitchen, can be spread throughout your cabinets. Cockroaches will avoid areas with bay leaves. When the leaves lose their scent, replace them with a fresh handful.
**Using Soap to Kill Cockroaches**
You can use soap in the following ways to kill cockroaches:
**Method 1:** Mix 20 ml of soap with 500 ml of water. Place this mixture at the base of cabinets and shelves; cockroaches will stay away due to the soap’s smell.
**Method 2:** Similar to the first method, but with more water, put the solution into a spray bottle and spray it directly in areas where cockroaches frequently travel.
However, to completely eliminate cockroaches from your home, the most important thing is to cut off their “food source.” Kitchen trash and food storage bags should be promptly disposed of in sealed trash bins. Leftover food should be wrapped in plastic and stored in the refrigerator. Used dishes should be cleaned and dried.
