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Yes, you should wash your sheets and clothes immediately after receiving a pest control service. If your pest pro sprayed chemicals inside your home, it’s important to remove any lingering residue from your washable items. Consult your pest control pro for a list of post-treatment steps to follow.

Roaches have a strong sense of smell and are repelled by a variety of potent aromas. Scents that can help deter them include citrus (such as lemon and orange), herbs like peppermint, mint, basil, thyme, and oregano, spices like bay leaves, cinnamon, clove, and garlic, as well as lavender, eucalyptus, citronella, tea tree oil, and vinegar.

You can use these scents in several ways to create an unwelcoming environment for roaches:

• Plants: Place mint or lavender plants in your home or garden.

• Powders and Leaves: Sprinkle garlic powder or place crushed bay leaves and citrus peels in high-risk areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and entry points.

• Sprays: Create a diluted solution with scents like lemon or vinegar to spray in your home. These can also be used in cleaning products or as room fresheners.

• Essential Oils: While essential oils of these scents can be used, be cautious as they can be toxic to pets if inhaled.

It is important to note that while these smells can help keep roaches away, they typically do not kill them and may not be enough to drive out an existing infestation entirely. For best results, combine these scent-based deterrents with regular cleaning. Be sure to clean up all food spills, crumbs, and dirty dishes promptly, and keep trash cans covered with a tight-fitting lid to remove potential food sources.

Hiring a professional house cleaner costs between $120 and $240 per visit. Most homeowners can expect to pay an average of $170 for a cleaning and disinfecting service. House cleaning services may include disinfection of high-touch surfaces, but it’s best to ask your cleaner to be sure it’s included in their services.

Contact pest control if you have a stink bug infestation that you need to eliminate quickly. It’s difficult to kill them without crushing them and releasing their signature odor, or without using a toxic insecticide. Some homeowners have had luck with peppermint oil sprays or soapy water traps. But a professional exterminator will have the best advice and course of action.