Cockroaches are among the most stubborn and unwelcome pests that can invade your home. They thrive in dark, hidden spaces, multiply rapidly, and pose a risk of contaminating your food.
While chemical insecticides are available, many contain ingredients that may be harmful to children, pets, or people with sensitivities.
Luckily, there are safe and natural homemade remedies that can help control these pests. One particularly effective method involves using everyday ingredients like banana peels, honey, sugar, and dish soap to create a powerful DIY trap.
Cockroaches are irresistibly drawn to this mixture, and once they’re inside the trap, they can’t get out.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 to 2 ripe banana peels
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- A handful of sugar
- 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap (any brand will work)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the peels
Place the banana peels inside a shallow dish, such as a small bowl, jar lid, or container. If needed, cut them into smaller sections to fit.
2. Add honey and sugar
Drizzle the honey over the banana peels, ensuring it coats them well. Then sprinkle sugar on top. The sweet and fermented scent of this combo is highly appealing to cockroaches.
3. Mix in the detergent
Pour a tablespoon of liquid dish soap over or around the peel mixture. The soap breaks the surface tension of any moisture in the trap, causing cockroaches to sink and making it harder for them to escape.
4. Set your traps
Place the prepared traps in areas where cockroach activity has been spotted, such as behind the fridge, under the sink, near drains, or in kitchen and bathroom corners.
Why This Trap Works:
Honey and sugar serve as natural lures, emitting a sweet smell that draws cockroaches in.
Fermented banana peels boost the scent profile, mimicking decaying organic material, which cockroaches are naturally drawn to.
Dish soap disables the pests by coating their bodies and interfering with their movement and breathing, essentially suffocating them.
Tips for Better Results:
Refresh traps every 2–3 days to maintain their scent and stickiness.
Maintain kitchen cleanliness by removing crumbs, sealing food, and wiping up spills to reduce alternative food sources.
Seal entry points like cracks in walls, gaps near doors, or holes around plumbing to prevent new cockroaches from getting in.
Use gloves when handling used traps to avoid contact with waste and reduce exposure to odor or residue.
How Often Should You Use This?
Start by using the traps daily for about a week. Afterward, you can leave one or two in problem areas for maintenance. If cockroaches return, restart the process weekly until they’re gone.
A Safe and Natural Solution
This DIY method is perfect for anyone looking to steer clear of chemical-laden insecticides. It’s affordable, simple to make, and highly effective when used regularly and alongside proper hygiene and home maintenance.
