Using vinegar may be a practical solution if you’re looking for a natural way to prevent an infestation from forming. Although vinegar won’t kill cockroaches outright, it can be used as a natural repellent or as a way to kill them indirectly. In this guide we’ll be covering does vinegar kill roaches and how to use it properly.
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Does Vinegar Get Rid Of Roaches?
Yes, vinegar can kill roaches, but it’s not the most effective solution to kill them on contact. In a rush? Get rid of roaches by combining 4 ounces of vinegar with 4 ounces of distilled hot water in a pan and heat it until it’s boiling. Next, put it in a spray bottle and wait for it to cool for 3 to 5 minutes. You can use this mixture to spray roaches directly or target their colonies.
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Most people use vinegar as an all-natural remedy to kill bacteria around the home and to make their meals taste better. It’s mostly used on marble countertops, tile flooring, and the surfaces of appliances.
In this article, we will answer the question above in more detail and what you can use vinegar for if it doesn’t kill roaches. That being said, here’s our guide on killing roaches quickly and more effectively.
Does White Vinegar Kill Roaches?
Despite what you may have heard, white vinegar cannot kill roaches on its own. However, it can be a useful cleaning solution and may also help to deter some species of roaches from being attracted to your home.
The acetic acid content in white vinegar is only 4 to 7 percent, so it doesn’t have the potency to eliminate roaches. However, it can help to sterilize your kitchen and kill germs. A clean home is the best form of defense against an insect invasion. Keep your home dry, and food should be in airtight containers with nothing left in the open.
It’s also important to note that white vinegar cannot deal with a cockroach infestation. If you have a roach problem, contact a pest control professional or buy commercial insecticides meant for insects. The latter can cause serious harm to your health, so be sure to always read instructions and stay safe.
Can Apple Cider Vinegar Kill Roaches?
You may have some success, but it depends on the cockroach species in your home. Apple cider vinegar only has an acidic level of 5 to 6 percent.
You can give it a try by mixing equal parts apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Apply on a single roach to see what happens. You can also use apple cider vinegar as a roach repellent by spraying it around your home, especially in areas where insects are known to frequent.
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If this option does not give you the desired results you are hoping for, we recommend you also try glue traps around the entire house.
Does the Scent of Vinegar Scare Cockroaches Away?
The short answer is yes; the scent of vinegar can help to keep cockroaches away. However, it is helpful to note that this is not a guaranteed solution, and you may still see cockroaches in your home even if you use vinegar. Therefore, we believe it’s a great repellent but not an effective roach killer.
There are a few reasons why the scent of vinegar may help in repelling roaches. “First, cockroaches are attracted to the smell of food, and vinegar can help to mask this scent. The result is that your abode will seem less attractive, and they will move on to the next potential location to build their nest.” says Donnie Shelton from Triangle Pest Control – Charlotte.
Second, vinegar’s acidity can help kill some of these insects, depending on the cockroach species and size. Cockroaches are very sensitive to changes in pH, and the acidity of vinegar can be harmful to some.
Finally, the scent of vinegar can help to mask the odor of other cockroaches. Cockroaches use their sense of smell to communicate with each other; if they can’t smell each other, they may be less likely to invade your home.
If you are interested in using vinegar to repel roaches, you should keep a few things in mind. First, it is essential to use distilled vinegar, as diluted vinegar may not be as effective. Second, you will need to reapply the vinegar regularly, as the scent will dissipate over time.
How To Kill Cockroaches with Vinegar
As mentioned before, vinegar mainly helps repel roaches, but most other species will not die when exposed. Only a few could die like the German roaches, which are weaker than others. Follow the guide below to give this a try.
What You’ll Need
- Empty Spray bottle
- Dish soap liquid (Hot water is okay but less potent)
- White or apple cider vinegar
- Essential Oils (Optional)
Instructions
- Pour 8 ounces of vinegar into a spray bottle. You can use either white or apple cider vinegar, but the former is more effective. But if you have distilled vinegar, that would be the optimal choice, although it’s harder to find.
- Pour 4 ounces of dishwashing detergent into the spray bottle. Then seal the bottle and shake it for 20 to 30 seconds until it gets foamy. After this, you are ready to get rid of roaches with your homemade solution.
- Quick Tip: If you want to make your spray solution better at killing cockroaches, we recommend applying a tablespoon of the essential oil of your choice. It also helps kill the pungent smell of vinegar, so you can spray it all over your house. You can’t do this with an insecticide spray because it’s not safe for your family.
- Spray the vinegar mixture directly on roaches, near their colony, and anywhere else you think they like to spend time eating. Always keep in mind that there is a low chance that this mixture will kill roaches but can still deter bugs pretty well.
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Final Thoughts On Deterring Roaches With Vinegar
So does vinegar kill roaches? Yes, it does, but it only works on weaker ones like german cockroaches.
You can eliminate roaches in your house in several ways, but using natural remedies such as vinegar might not be the best idea. Although it is friendly to the environment, the smell might not be easy to handle for loved ones living in your house. If you are looking for a more effective way to kill roaches, you might try using cockroach traps or a roach spray.
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