The aromatic plant that keeps cockroaches at bay in your home
If you are looking for a natural and effective way to keep cockroaches away from your home, bay leaves may be the solution you need. Renowned for its culinary properties, this shrub not only enriches the flavour of your meals, but also acts as an effective repellent against these unwanted insects.
Bay leaves, both fresh and dried, emit an aroma that cockroaches find particularly irritating. According to experts at The Exterminators, although bay leaves do not eliminate these insects, their smell does deter them from staying in the treated area, forcing them to seek other places to take refuge. Plus, using bay leaves as a repellent has the advantage of being a non-messy and easy-to-clean solution.
Practical methods for using laurel in your home To make the most of the repellent properties of laurel, consider implementing the following methods in your home:
- Scatter bay leaves: Place bay leaves in areas where you have detected cockroach activity, such as the kitchen, behind the refrigerator, or under the stove.
- Bay Leaf Containers: Place small containers filled with bay leaves in strategic locations, such as under trash cans or in the corners of the pantry.
- In cabinets and cupboards: Place a few sheets inside the shelves of your cabinets to protect your food and utensils.
- Prefer fresh leaves: Although dried leaves are effective and retain their aroma for up to a year, fresh leaves have a more intense aroma that can be more deterrent.
Bay leaves emit an aroma that cockroaches find irritating. Photo: iStock
Aside from using bay leaves, it is crucial to adopt cleanliness habits to decrease the likelihood of infestations. These include keeping countertops clean, washing dishes after use, storing food in airtight containers, and checking for water leaks. These practices, combined with the use of bay leaves, offer an effective barrier against cockroaches.
Although bay leaves offer a natural barrier against cockroaches, they do not guarantee complete elimination of these pests. In cases of severe infestations, it is recommended to consult pest control professionals to ensure a more effective and permanent solution .
The fruit that drives cockroaches away Cockroaches generally prefer to hide in dark, warm places where they can feel comfortable and reproduce, explains Juanjo Molinero, technical manager of the pest control company Conplag. Although conventional methods, such as insecticides and traps, are widely used, a more natural solution has attracted attention for its effectiveness: lemon.
This citrus fruit stands out for its citric acid content, which irritates the highly developed olfactory receptors of cockroaches, causing them to avoid areas treated with this natural ingredient. In addition, lemon has antibacterial properties that help keep surfaces clean, reducing the food sources that attract these pesky insects.
Cockroaches can hide in dark places. Photo: iStock.
While some specialists emphasize that lemon helps repel cockroaches, it is important to recognize that it does not eliminate them completely. To implement this fruit as a repellent, it is recommended to place slices in strategic points of the kitchen, such as near pipes, in corners or in areas where cockroach activity has been observed.
The Nation (Argentina) / GDA
More news in EL TIEMPO *This content was rewritten with the assistance of artificial intelligence, based on information from La Nación (GDA) and an archived note from El Tiempo, and was reviewed by the journalist and an editor.
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