Instead of using chemical repellents that may harm your health or create unpleasant odors in your home, you can rely on simple, natural ingredients to get rid of cockroaches effectively. One of the easiest — yet surprisingly powerful — remedies involves something you usually throw away: banana peels.

A Clever Banana Peel Mixture to Banish Roaches

After eating a banana, don’t throw away the peel. Banana peels naturally attract roaches because of their sweet smell. When combined with a few common household items, they become an effective DIY roach trap.

How to prepare the mixture:

1. Take the banana peel and cut it into small pieces.

2. Put the chopped peels into a small container or bowl.

3. Add a bit of salt and detergent powder, then mix well.

The banana peel acts as bait to lure roaches, while the salt and detergent cause dehydration and difficulty breathing, effectively eliminating them. Simply place this bowl in areas where roaches are most active at night — near the kitchen, behind cabinets, or in dark corners.
By the next morning, you’ll notice a significant reduction in roaches.

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Other Natural and Effective Ways to Repel Roaches

If you want more options or wish to prevent roaches from returning, here are several additional methods that are easy to apply and safe for the household.

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1. Dish Soap Solution

Mix 20ml of liquid dish soap with 500ml of water, stirring thoroughly.
You can place the solution in small bowls around the kitchen or spray it directly onto areas where roaches frequently crawl. The soapy water breaks down the roaches’ protective layer, causing them to suffocate.

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2. Dried Orange, Lemon, or Grapefruit Peels

Citrus peels — especially when dried — release a fresh aroma that roaches dislike.
Place dried orange, lemon, or grapefruit peels in drawers, under the sink, behind appliances, or anywhere roaches tend to hide. Besides repelling pests, they also help your home smell fresher.

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3. Onion and Garlic

Both onions and garlic have strong, pungent scents that roaches avoid.

Option A: Garlic powder
Sprinkle a small amount in corners or areas where roaches appear. Because garlic powder spreads easily, it’s best to use this method in enclosed spaces.

Option B: DIY roach spray
You can extract juice from onions and garlic, then mix it with a spoonful of garlic powder and a little water. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and apply it to roach-prone areas.

Option C: Chopped mixture
If you cannot extract juice, finely chop onion and garlic, then mix with a bit of ground pepper. Place the mixture into small dishes and set them in areas where roaches gather.
The intense smell makes roaches uncomfortable and forces them to flee.

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4. Baking Soda and Sugar

This is one of the most well-known and effective homemade roach killers.

How to mix:
– Combine baking soda and sugar in a 1:1 ratio.
– Place the mixture in small dishes around the house.

Sugar attracts the roaches, while the baking soda reacts with the moisture inside their stomachs, causing bloating and dehydration.
For best results, place a small cup of water nearby so that roaches drink after eating — the reaction becomes even faster.

You can also use baking soda to prevent roaches from entering through drain pipes. Simply dissolve a spoonful of baking soda in hot water and pour the mixture down the drain.

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Final Thoughts

With just a few simple, natural ingredients like banana peels, garlic, citrus, and baking soda, you can keep roaches away safely and effectively. These methods are inexpensive, eco-friendly, and easy for anyone to apply at home. Try placing the banana-peel mixture tonight — you may be surprised by how quickly it works!