Have you ever noticed how bugs avoid the bug zapper, even though it may be crammed-to-bursting with tasty bug-barbeque? The same holds true for any dead bug you may have in your house. The cat might bat at it, but other bugs will leave the deceased in peace. Why is this? It turns out the smell of (bug) death repels others bugs. Researchers
have discovered you can keep cockroaches (insects, yes I know the difference, but let's just call them bugs here) at bay by smearing dead cockroach guts as a repellent. The active ingredient consists of fatty acids formed during the decay process. These fatty acids also repel ants and caterpillars as well as buggy crustaceans like woodlice and pillbugs. While the chemicals are smelly to cockroaches and other arthropods, the levels that repel bugs aren't offensive to humans. This particular natural bug repellent may sound pretty nasty, but if you find a dead cockroach (for example) in your house, you can help keep its friends away by scattering the remains. Of course, it's likely the reason dead bugs repel other bugs is because death can signal the presence of poison or disease, so this isn't something I'd recommend testing in your kitchen.
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