Cockroaches are one of the biggest nuisances in home and business settings. They can be hard to get rid of, and they can spread disease. Even if you don’t have a cockroach problem, it’s a good idea to know how to get rid of them if you do ever encounter them.
Rubbing alcohol is an effective way to kill cockroaches because the fumes from the alcohol will kill them quickly and easily. This can be helpful because it’s less messy than using pesticides or other chemicals, which makes it easier to use in your home without having to worry about getting it on surfaces that could be damaged by the chemicals.
Cockroaches are disgusting creatures that can make your home unlivable. They are a serious problem, and you should do everything you can to get rid of them. You might be wondering, does rubbing alcohol kill cockroaches? Well, it’s complicated.
Cockroaches love to live in warm, damp places like kitchens and bathrooms. They also love trash containers, so if you’ve got some rotting food in your garbage can then you’re going to have a problem with roaches. This is because they eat almost anything including human waste.
Roach infestations are usually caused by poor sanitation practices around your home or apartment building—so if you feel like there might be more cockroaches than usual where you live then it’s definitely time for some deep cleaning.
Do Cockroaches Hate Alcohol Smell?
Cockroaches are attracted to the smell of alcohol, but only in a very specific way. Preferring to stay away from humans, cockroaches are much more likely to be found near areas where food or shelter can be found. They’re especially fond of warm places and dark corners—so they’re often found in kitchens, bathrooms, and other rooms where there is plenty of food and cover.
Cockroaches are drawn to the smell of rotting food, which is why you may see them around your garbage can or compost bin. They also like the smell of spoiled milk or meat—but not because it’s delicious. Cockroaches have an internal organ called a “cerci” that detects chemicals that are bad for them (like those in spoiled foods), so when they smell these chemicals they run away as fast as possible.
Alcohol is one such chemical that cockroaches avoid—however, it has nothing to do with whether or not it tastes good. Cockroaches actually dislike the smell of alcohol because it reminds them of another smell that is toxic for them: cedar oil. Cedar oil contains pinene (which smells like pine) as well.
How Does Rubbing Alcohol Kill Roaches?
Rubbing alcohol kills roaches by dehydrating them. The chemical compound in rubbing alcohol, ethyl alcohol (ethanol), is toxic to insects and other small creatures. When ingested, it causes their bodies to dry out and die.
Rubbing alcohol kills roaches by dehydrating them. This means that it removes water from their bodies and causes them to die of dehydration. To use rubbing alcohol to kill roaches, simply spray the bottle on top of the cockroach, or on its nest if you have one. You can also spray the area around where you’ve seen cockroaches with rubbing alcohol to make sure they don’t come back in that area again.
Insects are also susceptible to the fumes that rubbing alcohol gives off when it evaporates, which is why you should never use rubbing alcohol as a pesticide indoors without ventilating properly.
How Fast Does Rubbing Alcohol Kill Cockroaches?
The exact amount of time it takes for rubbing alcohol to kill cockroaches depends on how much alcohol you use and how long you leave it on the roaches. You may want to test some small samples before trying it on larger groups of roaches.
The longer you leave the rubbing alcohol on the roach, the more effective it will be at killing them off. If you leave it on for several hours, most adult roaches will die from dehydration or suffocation due to their inability to reach water sources through their exoskeleton’s pores if they’re not able to break through the hardened skin created by using rubbing alcohol for too long at once.
Homemade Cockroach Repellent Recipe
Ingredients:
- – 1 cup of rubbing alcohol
- – 1/4 cup of water (preferably distilled)
- – 2 tablespoons of dish soap
Instructions:
1. Mix all of the ingredients together in a spray bottle and shake well to combine.
2. Spray the mixture around areas where you have seen cockroaches and let it dry before using.
3. If you are using this mixture as a base for making other repellents, you can use it immediately after mixing without waiting for it to dry first; however, if you are spraying directly on your skin or animals, it is best not to use it until after it has dried completely so that there are no chances of irritation or injury occurring due to direct contact with the alcohol content present in this recipe.
List of Roaches Repellent and Where to Buy
Roach repellents are a popular option for those who want to keep their homes free of pests. There are many different types of roach repellents on the market today, and they can be purchased at most major retailers.
Here are some common types of roach repellents:

Combat Max 12 Month Roach Killing Bait, Small Roach Bait Station, Child-Resistant, 18 Count
Price : $11.98 ($0.67 / Count)
Features :
- Start killing small roaches in hours and prevent them from returning for up to 12 months
- Easy to use, no mess baits, do not require activation. Note : Not for Garden Use
- Simply place them where roaches are found and relax while they kill non-stop day and night
- Best used in areas like under sinks, behind toilets, and behind appliances, killing the ones you see and the ones you don’t and destroys the nest
- 18 child resistant bait stations are included; Place additional baits about 1½ feet away; Place baits carefully so they are touching the walls or corners
Additional Info :
Color | White |
Item Dimensions | |
Height | 4.6 Inches |
Width | 7.1 Inches |
Length | 1.8 Inches |
Weight | 5 Pounds |

Combat Roach Killing Bait, Large Roach Bait Station, Kills the Nest, Child-Resistant, 8 Count
Price : $8.75
Features :
- Get rid of cockroach problems at the source with this specially Designed Large roach bait product containing Hydramethylnon
- Easy to use, no mess baits do Not require activation
- Simply place them wherever you see or have seen roaches and relax while they kill non sTop day and night
- Best used in areas like under sinks, behind toilets, and behind appliances, killing the ones you see and the ones you don’t and destroys the nest
- Eight child resistant bait stations are Included
- Power Source Type: Combat Roach Killing Bait, Large Roach Bait Station, 8 Count
Additional Info :
Color | Large 8 ct |
Item Dimensions | |
Height | 7.1 Inches |
Width | 7.1 Inches |
Length | 1.5 Inches |
Weight | 0.01 Pounds |

Safer Brand 51703 OMRI Listed Diatomaceous Earth – Ant, Roach, Bedbug, Flea, Silverfish, Earwig, & Crawling Insect Killer
Price : $9.47 ($0.14 / Ounce)
Features :
- Say Goodbye to Bugs – Kills a variety crawling insects including roaches, ants, fleas, silverfish, earwigs, bedbugs, and more
- Attracts and Kills – Made from diatomaceous earth and selected baits, this powder causes insects to dehydrate and die within 48 hours after contact
- Mechanical Killer – Unlike many traditional chemical insecticides, insects cannot build an immunity to diatomaceous earth
- Use Where Insects Hide – DE can be used indoors or outdoors. Apply in cracks and crevices, along baseboards, or create a barrier around entry points
- Peace of Mind – This powder is OMRI Listed and compliant for use in organic gardening so you can use it without worry
Additional Info :
Item Dimensions | |
Height | 4.2 Inches |
Width | 10.8 Inches |
Length | 15.6 Inches |
Weight | 4.2 Pounds |

Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Indoor & Perimeter2: With Comfort Wand, Kills Ants, Cockroaches, Spiders, Fleas & Ticks, Odor Free, 1.1 gal.
Price : $14.49 ($0.10 / Fl Oz)
Features :
- Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Indoor & Perimeter2 with Comfort Wand kills ants, cockroaches, spiders, fleas, ticks and other listed bugs; the formula is odor free, won’t stain, and keeps listed bugs out
- KILLS BUGS INSIDE: Kills those annoying home-invading insects, including ants, cockroaches, spiders, fleas, ticks, scorpions, beetles, silverfish, centipedes and millipedes
- KEEPS BUGS OUTSIDE: Creates a bug barrier that will kill bugs you have and prevents new bugs for up to 12 months (applies to ants, roaches and spiders indoors on non-porous surfaces)
- NO STAINING OR STINK: This spray can be used indoors and out, leaves no residue, and has no odor; people and pets may re-enter treated areas after spray has dried
- WAND MAKES APPLICATION EASY: The Comfort Wand eliminates hand fatigue, and there’s no pumping required, making it easy to spray along your home’s perimeter–indoors and outside
Additional Info :
Color | White |
Item Dimensions | |
Height | 4.88 Inches |
Width | 12 Inches |
Length | 8.95 Inches |
Weight | 0.73 Pounds |

TERRO T800 Garbage Guard Trash Can Insect Killer – Kills Flies, Maggots, Roaches, Beetles, and Other Insects
Price : $7.98
Features :
- Eliminate & Prevent – The deeply penetrating vapor fills enclosed spaces to kill visible and hiding insects and prevent new infestations
- No More Maggots – Garbage Guard is effective against a variety of flying and crawling insects that are commonly found in trash cans
- Lasts up to 4 Months – Controlled release technology slowly diffuses the vapor to offer insect protection all summer long
- Easy to Use – Simply remove the adhesive backing, attach the pod to the inside of your trash can, close the lid and let the vapor do its work
- For Outdoors / Garages – These pods are designed for use in outdoor and garage trash cans, dumpsters, and trash bins
Additional Info :
Color | Black |
Item Dimensions | |
Height | 0.5 Inches |
Width | 1.73 Inches |
Length | 2.68 Inches |
Weight | 0.06 Pounds |
In Conclusion
Rubbing alcohol is a natural disinfectant that is used to kill many types of germs and bacteria. It has been shown to be effective in killing cockroaches, but you need to make sure that you use it correctly. The best way to use rubbing alcohol on cockroaches is by spraying it directly onto the insect. You can also pour the rubbing alcohol into a container and soak the affected area with it. This will help to kill off any other insects that may be nearby as well as provide protection against future infections.