Does Irish Spring soap repel roaches?

Irish Spring soap is sometimes touted as a roach repellent in home remedy forums because of its strong fragrance, but there is no scientific evidence that it effectively repels cockroaches and it is not considered reliable control by pest control professionals, though it may have slight deterrent effect due to smell. The theory is that strong scent of Irish Spring, which contains fragrances and deodorant ingredients, will deter German cockroaches and American cockroaches which dislike strong odors like peppermint and eucalyptus, and some people place bars of soap or shavings in cabinets, drawers, and entry points hoping to keep roaches away. However, studies and pest control experience show roaches are highly adaptable and will tolerate unpleasant smells if food, water, and shelter are available, so while Irish Spring may deter for very short time in small enclosed areas, persistent roaches will ignore it and continue foraging, and it does not kill colonies or prevent reproduction. Additionally, soap can absorb moisture and become food residue if it gets wet. More effective repellent smells with some evidence include peppermint oil and bay leaves, but even those are not sufficient alone. For effective roach control, integrated pest management is needed including thorough sanitation by storing food sealed and cleaning crumbs daily, fixing leaks, sealing cracks with caulk, reducing clutter, and using proven gel baits containing fipronil, hydramethylnon, or indoxacarb such as Advion and Maxforce placed near hiding spots that roaches eat and carry back to kill entire colony within days to weeks, rather than relying on Irish Spring soap, plus professional pest control costing $150 to $400 for severe infestations.