Can spices be an effective pesticide?

Question

can spices like chili, garlic, siling labuyo(found in the Philipines), ginger and paprica be an effective pesticide against ants and roaches

Answer 1

Yes they can be - black pepper is what my grandmother used against ants.  Also Bay leaves left in your cupboards can be a deterrent to bugs.

Answer 2

Yes they can.

Many "Organic" pesticides use garlic oil, neem oil, cedar oil, capiscum(Hot pepper extract), seasame seed oil and other products for pest control.

Some are good as active pesticides, like neem and seasame...but most are just repellents.