Cockroaches ‘cannot stand’ 38p spice you may already have in your pantry

With the weather warming up in the UK, critters are starting to emerge from the woodwork and becoming a real menace around households. The heat accelerates their activity, sending them in search of food, warmth, and shelter, often in kitchens, pantries, and behind appliances.

Though professional pest control services remain an option, they can cost up to £230 per visit. But one expert says the solution to keeping cockroaches at bay could be sitting quietly in your spice rack, and costs as little as 38p. 

While their presence is disturbing in itself, the real concern is health. Cockroaches are known to carry dangerous bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, and their droppings and shed skin can trigger allergic reactions and gastrointestinal illnesses, particularly in children and elderly people.

Thankfully, this simple and affordable product can help keep cockroaches away.

“Cockroaches absolutely cannot stand the smell of bay leaves,” says Chris Hutton, storage expert at Adams Selfstore.

Bay leaves, commonly used in cooking, contain eucalyptol and terpenes, aromatic compounds that cockroaches find overwhelming.

Hutton says the smell is strong enough to drive cockroaches away, making bay leaves an effective and natural repellent.

To use the trick, homeowners are advised to place dried bay leaves in areas where cockroaches tend to hide or enter, such as behind kitchen appliances and in cupboards and pantries. 

To maintain effectiveness, the leaves should be replaced every two to three weeks. 

“Once a cockroach catches even the slightest whiff of bay leaves, they’ll run in the opposite direction,” Hutton explained. “It’s a chemical-free deterrent that could save households hundreds in pest control costs.”

While the method may not eradicate a full-blown infestation, it serves as a strong preventative measure, especially when combined with good hygiene practices, such as keeping food sealed, cleaning up crumbs and spills, and reducing moisture.

With forecasters predicting a warmer-than-average summer, experts warn the public to stay vigilant and act early to avoid turning their homes into breeding grounds.