Quite a popular folk remedy that partially helps a person to get rid of cockroaches, bay foxes. It must be said right away that it cannot be called too effective. It is best to combine the use of bay leaves with other methods of baiting annoying Prussians.
Nevertheless, this method of solving the corresponding problem is ideal for those who do not want to use traditional "chemistry". People have been fighting cockroaches for centuries, and the bay leaf is just one of many "tools" in this difficult matter.
Mechanism of action
A seasoning like bay leaf is in the kitchen of every housewife. Most of the first and second courses are not complete without this fragrant leaf. In addition, due to the content of a large amount of trace elements and vitamins, it is indispensable in medicine. It is an antiseptic, which greatly increases its already widespread use. The main advantage of this magnificent leaf is the presence of essential oils.
The composition of the essential oil is very rich in various substances, which provide a deterrent effect on cockroaches. The strongest effect is given by a substance such as cineole, it acts on the olfactory organs, irritating them. In addition, camphor and foam, which are in the composition, are also dangerous to insects. A high concentration of these components can act as an insecticide.
What is this smell unpleasant for insects?
The rich spicy smell of laurel, so pleasant to the human sense of smell, is due to the content in this spice of several components extremely unpleasant for insects, such as:
- laurel essential oil;
- various bitterness;
- cineole;
- pinen;
- myrcene;
- limolene;
- camphor;
- linaloorl.
In terms of the content of insect-repellent substances, Lavrushka is one of the leaders among plants. Cockroaches are especially afraid of cineole, which has an irritating effect on their sense of smell and respiration. Cineol is a strong natural antiseptic that is effective not only in repelling insects. With its help, you can fight fungi, pathogenic bacteria and other pathogenic microflora.
Penene, camphor and other terpene-type substances also repel insects, and in large doses they can even poison them. At the same time, the smell of fresh and dry laurel leaves is practically not perceived by a person's sense of smell, and cockroaches feel it from afar. The scent of laurel makes insects immediately leave the area of its distribution.
Effects on cockroaches
There are industries where it is simply not possible to use chemical insecticides. For example, agriculture, food warehouses. Therefore, scientists turn to old proven folk remedies for help, which, when applied, are not capable of harming food and humans.
Tests were conducted where cereals were preserved with bay leaves in a crushed form. And such experiments have shown the safety of grain, almost the entire stock. We can say that these are excellent results, because not professional means were used, but a very simple and old folk method.
Laurel acts on cockroaches as a deterrent, since they have a highly developed sense of smell, they sense smells well, in this case, essential oils irritate the receptors, and they perceive it as a threat. Whether the herb is used fresh or dry, it emits a strong odor. The aroma may not be heard by a person, but the insect feels it very well and does not enter the territory where it is present.
This method of fighting cockroaches is only deterrent, it does not kill insects. Therefore, if the room is heavily contaminated and there is a large accumulation of individuals, then this method will be ineffective, you will need to use strong insecticides, and use laurel as a prophylaxis.
Efficiency
Bay leaf from cockroaches
Does bay leaf help is the main question. There is no need to wait for an instant effect. It is not an insecticidal effective remedy leading to suffocation, paralysis, convulsions. The repellent acts gradually, when the pests run away from the house, it's hard to say.
Are cockroaches afraid of bay leaves - at first, yes. There is some discomfort, insects find it difficult to find food, irritated receptors force the pests to flee to the shelter. If this state continues constantly, there are several options for the development of the situation.
Cockroaches, unable to withstand adverse conditions, run away, or gradually adapt to the smell. Prusaks are highly adaptable to any conditions. Insects can hardly be called clean. They live in basements, garbage cans, sewer manholes. There are smells stronger than bay leaves, but this does not prevent them from living in the conquered territory for years.
Compared to other folk repellents, bay leaves are more effective. In action, ammonia and vinegar are inferior to it. It is advisable to use it to protect the premises from cockroach infestation, but constantly alternate with other plants - mint, chamomile, lavender.
How to choose laurel
Of course, in order to cope with the Prusaks, you will need laurel, which has the strongest smell, in other words, contains the largest amount of essential oil. This unpleasant substance for cockroaches contains the greatest amount of laurel.
It is quite possible to get fresh leaves, but there is not always time to find them. Therefore, it is perfectly acceptable to use dry seasoning. You can buy it in any store prepackaged in bags of different sizes. You can also buy it on the market, where it is sold in the form of a bunch of whole branches with leaves.
One very important point is the expiration date. The fact is that over time, essential oils disappear and lose their properties. The strongest aroma contains fresh leaves, they are suitable for use for 1 year, then they will be ineffective.
Consider the leaves, they should be mold-free, dark green in color. The structure should be dense and elastic, the sheet should not crumble. A bright strong aroma serves as proof of the freshness of the product.
Any changes in appearance, for example, blotches on leaves, discoloration, mold on the surface, loss of elasticity, etc., indicates that this seasoning is unsuitable for use, not only as a deterrent, but also for any other purposes.
It is also necessary to properly store the laurel. To do this, choose a glass container that is hermetically sealed; you can use vacuum packaging. If the storage rules have been violated, it develops a bitter odor, which means that it has become unusable.
additional information
Judging by the reviews of many people, the most effective method of getting rid of cockroaches is precisely setting the bay leaf on fire.The decay process not only frees essential oils, but also accelerates the released substances. But if the leaves are immediately burned, then there will be no effect. The aromatic oils are destroyed and the trap is wasted.
The fumigation procedure is not one-time. To get a good result, you need to produce it for several days in a row. And, of course, there should be no fresh air flow, close the windows tightly.
Use in the apartment
For the result to be as positive as possible, it is not enough just to decompose the fragrant spice and wait until the "uninvited guests" leave their homes.
You will need to make every effort:
- Inspect the entire room for cracks and putty them.
- The ventilation holes must be closed, since they cannot be sealed hermetically, then use a fine mesh.
- Look through all the holes in the apartment from which the pipes come out, they must be completely putty, because through them cockroaches run from one apartment to another.
- These insects live where there is access to water, they simply cannot survive without it. If there are leaks, be sure to fix it. Also, do not allow water to stand in containers under household flowerpots.
- If there is an ordinary trash bin in the apartment, replace it with one that closes hermetically.
- Each of us has grocery supplies in our closets, they should be sorted out, get rid of the old ones.
- Absolutely all products must be in sealed packages and containers.
- Go through all cabinets, remove unusable appliances, rinse all drawers and shelves, and avoid the presence of crumbs and food residues.
- Move the furniture away from the walls, check the baseboards, where most often cockroaches equip their nests.
- Flush the backs of cabinets and appliances.
It should be said that if there are a large number of Prusaks in the apartment, then it is correct to apply an insecticide that will kill everyone special, and use laurel as a preventive measure.
Your actions after the room has been cleared of insects are no less important.
Required:
- After each meal, wash dishes and remove from tables and work surfaces.
- Take out the trash daily, wash and dry the trash can.
- Sinks, washbasins, bathtubs, wipe dry, do not leave water in flower trays.
- Hide food, do not leave it open in the kitchen.
- Check the apartment constantly for the presence of "intruders".
If you notice insects, then follow where they run, when the lights turn on, most often they run away to their nests.
Precautions
These insects are not only annoying with their presence. Cockroaches can carry infectious diseases, spoil food and electrical appliances, in which they create minks for themselves. Any slots, ventilation shafts and skirting boards are suitable for their movement. To keep them from getting started, keep your home perfectly clean.
But that's not all. The fewer crevices and holes that are suitable for insect life and reproduction, the cleaner your home will be. Therefore, repairs will help you. Be sure to seal all cracks and crevices around heating and sewerage systems. Do not overlook the ventilation holes. They should be tightened with a fine mesh, and inside, pour bay leaves from cockroaches. So protection will be much more reliable.
Inhalation of the aroma of bay leaves is not dangerous for humans, pets, but with the frequent presence of a persistent smell, discomfort occurs, irritability and headache may appear. There are no contraindications as such, but each organism is individual. In case of intolerance, any aroma can cause a deterioration in well-being.
Application options for bay leaves
There are several ways to use the essential seasoning.They all have their own characteristics and advantages, and everyone can choose the most suitable recipe.
Recipe 1: using the sheet
The simplest and most affordable recipe. Laurel is needed in a fresh or dry form, it must be spread out in those places where the Prussians most often appear.
Pay attention to these places:
- Skirting boards and places behind cabinets, refrigerator, household appliances.
- Ventilation holes.
- On cabinets in the kitchen and room.
- Containers, containers with cereals.
- Drawers and shelves of kitchen cabinets.
The aromatic herb will retain its effectiveness for a month, then you need to mash it with a new one. If you have purchased whole branches, then it is better to use them exactly in this form, without breaking off the leaves with a whole branch.
Additionally, you can use aromatic herbs that go bad in kitchen cabinets. Mint, wormwood, lavender, Dalmatian chamomile have an ideal aroma that pests cannot stand.
Recipe 2: fumigation
Only dry leaves should be used in this recipe. To do this, you need to take small metal containers, put a few leaves in them and set them on fire. Only they should smolder. These containers with fragrant smoke are placed in places where insects are likely to live. This procedure must be carried out daily several times during the week.
Recipe 3: using essential oil
A remedy such as essential oil has a strong aroma, which in this case assumes the most positive result. It can be used in different ways, for example, by dropping it on paper and spreading it out in the habitat of pests. You can also carry out wet cleaning, after dropping a few drops of oil into the water. This solution can be used to clean all surfaces, cabinets, appliances. You can apply the oil directly to the surface.
To further increase the effect, you can add other essential oils to laurel. The oils of mint, lavender, eucalyptus, anise have an excellent effect. You can buy them at the pharmacy.
Important!
In some people, these oils cause an allergic reaction, in which case their use in the apartment is prohibited.
Recipe 4: cooking broth
This broth is used to treat walls, baseboards, back walls of furniture and other surfaces. To prepare it, you need to take a saucepan, pour 0.5 liters of water and pour a pack of laurel. We put on fire and after boiling we boil for 10 minutes. Remove from the fire and insist without removing the lid. Then pour into a container with a spray and treat the room.
Instead of a decoction, you can prepare an infusion. We take the same proportions, pour the grass into a thermos and fill it with boiling water. It is necessary to insist for about 6 hours, then pour it into a spray bottle according to the same scheme and can be used. To increase efficiency, add a few drops of essential oil to the decoction or infusion, which are listed in the previous recipe.
Recipe 5: making a tincture
Fresh leaves should be used for this recipe. So, we take a glass container, it is better to take a bottle, but only with a wide neck. We put 100g of raw materials into it and fill it with 1 glass of vodka. Close the container tightly and refrigerate for infusion. This tincture is prepared within 3 weeks, then it can be used.
For use, it is necessary to prepare a solution, add 2 tbsp for 200 g of water. tinctures. It is applied to the surface with a spray gun.
Is it a habit
A reasonable question. Many people doubt whether bay leaf helps against cockroaches. And even those who admit the effectiveness of this remedy emphasize that these insects adapt to anything. Most drugs lose their effectiveness after just a few doses. Cockroaches are so tenacious that producers simply cannot create a remedy that will do away with them once and for all.
There is one nuance here.These creatures adapt to various means that are designed to kill them. Therefore, the body of ancient insects begins to change in such a way that these substances no longer harm it. Laurel simply scares off cockroaches, and they go to their neighbors. After a while, they will definitely try to return, but if the traps are in their places, they will not succeed again. Are cockroaches afraid of bay leaves? Let's just say that they will not live next to the place where the fragrant seasoning lies.
Security measures
If people who suffer from allergic reactions live in the room, the folk method should be used with great care. If any symptoms of allergy appear, you must immediately stop the procedure and never return to it.
Laurel itself, in its pure form, has a bright smell, but when fumigation is carried out, a decoction is brewed or essential oils are used, the aroma becomes several times stronger. Small children, pregnant women, animals and birds perceive much more strongly and this can cause side effects. In addition, you should not use such methods if there are people in the apartment who suffer from respiratory diseases.
If fumigation is carried out, then all residents, including pets, must leave the room. Birds are especially susceptible to fumes.
You should also take into account the fact that some of the products absorb odors very strongly. But in addition to the smell, the product will also acquire an unpleasant bitter taste, so make sure that the products are hermetically sealed.
Advantages and disadvantages
In order to be able to draw the correct conclusions regarding the application of this folk method, we will consider its advantages and disadvantages.
Benefits:
- Absolutely safe for human and animal health, unlike modern chemical insecticides.
- Low price and availability.
- Easy and convenient use at home.
Disadvantages:
- Ineffective with a large number of cockroaches.
- The result is visible after a few days.
Like all folk methods, melon does not have an instant effect. It will take patience and keeping it perfectly clean.
In addition, you can always increase efficiency with:
- Ammonia, which is dripped onto a piece of cloth or cotton wool and is left as an additional repeller.
- You can do wet cleaning using a vinegar solution.
- Use a variety of essential oils.
- Get a geranium that cockroaches hate.
Analogs
Some folk remedies are also called effective. It is recommended to periodically change the methods of struggle to obtain a faster effect.
- Ammonia. Soak cotton wool, leave in a saucer overnight.
- Vinegar. Prepare a concentrated solution, wash floors, wipe furniture.
- Essential oils. They drip onto a candle, light it, and leave it overnight. Soak cotton wool.
- Geranium. Grown on a windowsill.
Folk remedies with a deterrent effect are more suitable for preventing room contamination than for active struggle.
