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The best way to deal with a rodent problem is to avoid it in the first place. One way to do that is to make your home smell uninviting to them. Here are some household products that can repel rodents. When using oils, try soaking a cotton ball in the stuff and leaving it in places rodents frequent:

• Peppermint oil

• Eucalyptus oil

• Cinnamon

• Vinegar

• Cedarwood 

• Cloves

• Garlic

• Chili oil/powder

• Cayenne pepper

No, pest control is not covered by home insurance. This is considered routine maintenance that is the responsibility of the homeowner. Although this may be discouraging news, don’t let it deter you from taking care of your home so you can prevent pests from entering and becoming a bigger nuisance. Otherwise, you may have a bigger problem on your hands that you’ll also have to cover out-of-pocket.

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.

Yes, it is generally safe to return to your house once the pest control professionals have granted permission. Keep in mind that you’ll only need to evacuate your home during extreme pest control treatments, such as whole-home fumigation, while more minor treatments don’t require leaving. When you return home, be sure to follow the pest pro’s instructions carefully, especially those surrounding wait times and safety precautions.