Does Vinegar kill Roaches? How to use Vinegar Effectively

In this blog, you will learn the answer to the question: Does vinegar kill roaches and how to kill roaches with Vinegar!

1. Does vinegar kill roaches?

Roaches are not easily killed by vinegar. Vinegar is a weak acid that does not harm them much. It does not block their breathing tubes and make them suffocate.

If you spray vinegar on a roach, it may run away, but it will survive.  

2. How to kill roaches with Vinegar

To give this approach a try, follow the step-by-step guide outlined below: 

Materials Needed:

• Empty spray bottle.
• Dish soap liquid (Hot water can be used as a substitute, though it’s less potent).
• White or apple cider vinegar.
• Optional: Essential oils.

Instructions: 

Pour 8 ounces of vinegar into the spray bottle. While both white and apple cider vinegar can be used, the former tends to be more effective. If distilled vinegar is available, it is the optimal choice, even though it may be less readily accessible. 

Add 4 ounces of dishwashing detergent into the spray bottle. Seal the bottle tightly and shake it vigorously for 20 to 30 seconds until a foamy mixture forms. This prepared solution is now ready to be used for combating roaches.  

Quick Tip: To enhance the potency of your homemade spray solution in eliminating cockroaches, consider adding a tablespoon of essential oil of your preference. This not only enhances the solution’s roach-killing effectiveness but also helps mitigate the strong vinegar scent, allowing you to use the spray throughout your living spaces. This is a distinction from insecticide sprays, which are not safe for household use.

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3. What can I mix with vinegar to kill roaches?

You can create a mixture of hot water and vinegar to deter cockroaches because when cockroaches drink water this solution can be harmful to them. Combine equal amounts of vinegar and hot water, then place the mixture in bowls or containers. If a cockroach consumes the solution, it can severely damage their digestive system, ultimately leading to their demise.

In addition to pest control, hot water and vinegar can be useful for cleaning surfaces in the kitchen and pouring down your drains to deter cockroaches from invading your living space.

You can also concoct a mixture by combining liquid soaps or shampoo with vinegar to target cockroaches. Apply this homemade treatment directly to the insects or on surfaces frequented by them.

However, it’s important to note that if cockroaches are on plants, using soapy water to eliminate them is not advisable, as the solution can harm and potentially kill the plant and its leaves.

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FAQ

1. Can White vinegar kill Roaches?

No, white vinegar cannot kill roaches on its own. White vinegar is a cleaning agent that can help you sanitize your kitchen and other areas of your home, but it does not have the power to eliminate roaches.

The acetic acid content in white vinegar is only 4 to 7 percent, which is not enough to harm these resilient insects.

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2. Can Apple cider vinegar kill roaches?

Apple cider cannot kill roaches by itself. With its 5-6 percent acetic acid, this vinegar is also an excellent cleaning solution for repelling and not killing cockroaches.

Because apple cider vinegar and white vinegar are unreliable, you can try out other effective roach exterminators.

For instance, use roach traps and roach spray to eliminate them from potential areas for nesting and contact a pest control professional.

Conclusion

You have just learned the answer to the question: Does vinegar kill roaches? You have also learned how to use vinegar as a natural roach killer, repellent, and preventive measure.

If you want to learn more about how to get rid of roaches and other pests, check out our other blogs from Pestweek.