Natural Roach Deterrents?

Roaches

I know a natural remedy to kill them is a mixture that's half boric acid powder and half sugar or cornmeal placed in small lids / containers in cupboards etc. Boric acid would be irritating and possibly mildly toxic for small children and small pets if ingested though.

As a deterrent spray you could also make a mix of equal parts essential oil of peppermint, citronella and pennyroyal (if you're pregnant or breastfeeding omit the pennyroyal oil) add about two tablespoons of the mixture to a cup of water in a spray bottle add about a teaspoon of Seventh Generation Dishwashing detergent (which acts as an emulsifier) shake well and use as a surface spray on counter tops and in areas where you think the roaches are getting in. You can also use it to wipe down the insides of your cupboards. I haven't used this so much as my grandma used to use it when she lived in an apartment complex & her neighbors had roaches. It seemed to keep them out of her place.