With the arrival of warmer days, it is more common for cockroaches to appear in homes, garages, kitchens and wet areas. In Portugal, as in other countries, the presence of these insects is often associated with food remains, accumulated water, cracks, drains and dark places where they can hide during the day.
Cockroaches mainly look for food, water and shelter. So before you turn to chemicals, there are simple measures that can help reduce the likelihood of an infestation, from cleaning up food scraps to fixing water leaks and keeping trash locked.
According to the Food and Economic Security Authority (), cockroaches are part of the so-called crawling pests and can pose a risk when they come into contact with food, preparation surfaces or storage areas. For this reason, prevention and rapid detection are essential to prevent the problem from escalating.
Vinegar can help clean areas where cockroaches appear
One of the most used homemade strategies is vinegar, not so much as a miracle solution to eliminate cockroaches, but as an ally in cleaning countertops, baseboards, areas near the trash and places where there may be odors or residues that attract these insects.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency recommends removing sources of food, water and shelter as a first step in pest control. In this context, cleaning surfaces regularly, removing grease, crumbs and food debris may be more important than applying any product alone.
You can prepare a simple solution with water and vinegar to clean walk-through areas, especially in the kitchen and bathroom. Still, this solution should be seen as a cleaning and prevention measure, not as a guaranteed treatment against an already established infestation.
Strong smells can act as a natural barrier
In addition to vinegar, there are those who use strong smells, such as bay leaves, mint, eucalyptus, rosemary or essential oils, to try to keep cockroaches out of closets, pantries, entrances and damp areas. Some scientific studies have analyzed essential oils, including eucalyptus, mint, oregano and rosemary, against cockroach species, pointing out repellent or insecticidal potential in certain laboratory conditions.
This does not mean that adding bay leaves or a few drops of essential oil will solve a plague of cockroaches at home. These smells can help as a complement, but must be accompanied by cleaning, reducing humidity, removing waste and sealing entrances.
If you choose to use essential oils, you should avoid applying them excessively, especially in homes with children, pregnant women, sensitive people or pets. Many natural products can also cause irritation or be toxic to animals when used incorrectly.
Kitchen and bathroom are areas where cockroaches appear most.
The kitchen is one of the most critical areas, as it can contain leftover food, grease, rubbish and open packaging. Storing food in tightly closed containers, cleaning countertops and not leaving dirty dishes in the sink overnight are recommended measures to reduce the attraction of cockroaches.
In the bathroom, the problem may be linked to humidity, drains, small leaks or accumulated water. The EPA recommends repairing leaky pipes and avoiding accumulations of water inside the home, as water is one of the elements that encourages pests to remain.
It is also important to check cracks, baseboards, pipe passages, doors and windows. The University of Minnesota Extension recommends sealing cracks and spaces where cockroaches can hide, as these insects tend to look for dark, narrow, protected places.
When natural smells no longer reach you
If you see cockroaches frequently, find feces, eggs, unpleasant odors or insects during the day, the problem may already be more advanced. In these cases, vinegar, bay leaves or essential oils will hardly be enough to resolve the situation.
In Portugal, products intended to control, repel or eliminate harmful organisms may fall within the area of biocides. The General Directorate of Food and Veterinary (DGAV) explains that this category includes products such as insecticides and repellents, which must be used according to label instructions and with appropriate safety precautions.
The EPA also warns that you should not use external products indoors, nor transfer pesticides to other containers. Children and animals should be kept away from treated areas, and when the infestation is persistent, it may be necessary to call in a company specializing in pest control.
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