Cockroaches are pests that can make your life miserable. They spread diseases, contaminate food and cause allergies in people. Therefore, it’s important to keep them away from your home by following these tips:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Natural remedies are an effective way to control cockroach infestations in your home without relying on chemicals. |
| Cockroach infestations can pose serious health risks, making prevention and treatment crucial. |
| Regular inspections and treatments are key to preventing and controlling cockroach infestations. |
| There are several species of cockroaches that can be found in homes, each with their own identifying characteristics. |
| Good hygiene and basic prevention measures can go a long way in keeping cockroaches out of your home. |
Clean
Clean your house. Cockroaches are attracted to dirt, so keeping a clean home is key to getting rid of them. Vacuum regularly, dust frequently and clean dishes immediately after use.
Dispose of garbage properly. Make sure to dispose of garbage in a trash can with a tight lid that seals tightly and keep it well away from your home as possible—at least 100 feet away from the foundation if possible.
If you have an outdoor bin for composting food scraps, remember that these bins should be kept at least 10 feet away from open windows or doors and 50 feet from where people spend time (like children’s play areas).
Don’t leave food out overnight. Don’t leave food out overnight even if you’re just going out for a few hours as roaches will have no problem finding their way into your kitchen while they search for something to eat! Also make sure that dishes aren’t left dirty in the sink; cockroaches love solidified grease!
If you’re looking for effective ways to get rid of cockroaches in your home without relying on chemicals, check out our article on Cockroach Control: Natural Remedies vs Chemical Pesticides. We’ve compiled a list of natural remedies and prevention methods that are both safe and effective for controlling cockroach infestations.
Empty
Empty food and water sources. Cockroaches are attracted to food because it’s a source of nutrition, so if there’s any debris in your kitchen, get rid of it. Get rid of any pet food or water bowls that might be left out, too.
Remove clutter. Clutter is another example of open invitations for cockroaches to come inside your home because they’re so small, they can fit into tight spaces and hide underneath items like old mail and newspapers on the floor or dirty laundry in the corner (to say nothing of how much more likely you’ll be to step on one).
When these bugs find their way into your house, don’t leave them alone; grab every piece of paper or cardboard you can reach and put them somewhere else until you have time for a proper clean-up!
Also make sure that even after clearing away clutter from around the house’s entry points (doors or windows) make sure that other things aren’t left open too long like garbage cans!
If possible replace these with tightly sealed lids every time they’re used instead – because roaches love finding places where they can eat without being disturbed.”
Seal
To keep roaches out of your home, you’ll need to seal cracks and crevices. This is one of the most effective ways to prevent cockroaches from entering your home.
You can do this by:
- Spraying a caulk or expanding foam around windows and doors;
- Using silicone sealant around pipes (especially those that are exposed);
- Sealing gaps under sinks;
- Using caulk around any appliances you have in your kitchen; and
- Using weather stripping on doors with screens on them
Cockroach infestations aren’t just unsightly – they can also pose a serious risk to your health. Learn about the dangers of cockroach infestations and how to prevent them by checking out our article on The Dangers of Cockroach Infestations and How to Prevent Them.
Trap
It’s important to take steps to prevent cockroaches from invading your home in the first place, but if you’ve already got them, this is a great way to trap them. You can use traps in a few different ways:
- Using glue boards — These are thin pieces of cardboard with glue on one side. You put them along the baseboards and floorboards where cockroaches typically travel, then wait for their feet to stick and get stuck.
- Using sticky traps — This works like the glue board method above, although they’re more effective because they have both sides covered in glue instead of just one side. As with any insect trap, make sure not to touch any parts that have come into contact with insects since they could carry dangerous diseases!
Top 5 Cockroach Traps
| Trap Type | Number of Traps | Price | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sticky Traps | 12 | $9.99 | Place in areas where cockroaches are commonly found to trap and monitor their activity. |
| Bait Traps | 6 | $12.99 | Attracts and kills cockroaches using poisoned bait |
| Ultrasonic Traps | 1 | $25.99 | Emits high-frequency sound waves to repel and deter cockroaches. |
| Electric Traps | 2 | $19.99 | Uses an electric charge to kill cockroaches upon contact |
| Live Traps | 2 | $14.99 | Humane option for catching and releasing cockroaches outside of the home. |
Bait
Bait traps are a useful tool for eliminating cockroaches. You can buy them online or at the hardware store, but you can also make your own using materials that you probably have around the house.
Wiping out cockroaches is not an easy task, and bait traps are one of the most effective ways to do so.
Once you have all of the supplies needed, follow the instructions on the package carefully so as not to harm yourself or other members of your household: some baits require refrigeration while others do not; they may need to be soaked in water overnight before being placed on their intended targets.
Bait traps have been known to work wonders against even large colonies of cockroaches because they are so effective at attracting these insects due to their strong scent (they contain food attractants).
Wash
Washing is one of the most effective ways to get rid of cockroaches because it cleans your home from top to bottom.
- Wash dishes and pots and pans.
- Wash the floors, walls, ceilings, windows, doors, cabinets and furniture.
- Wash bedding such as comforters and mattresses.
- Wash clothing that you wear often (underwear) or clothes in closets where roaches may live (skirts).
Regular inspections and treatments are crucial for preventing and treating cockroach infestations. Learn more about the importance of regular inspections and treatments by reading our article on The Importance of Regular Cockroach Inspections and Treatments.
Sprinkle
To kill cockroaches in your home, you can sprinkle boric acid or diatomaceous earth all over the place where they live and breed. You can find both at most hardware stores, as well as online.
Use 1/8 cup of boric acid or 2 1/2 cups of diatomaceous earth per gallon of water when applying it to cracks and crevices where roaches hide out (like under sinks, dishwashers and stoves).
Be sure to reapply after cleaning surfaces because the insecticides won’t be effective if you don’t leave them down long enough for roaches to eat them up again
Inspect
Inspect the area where you think they are coming from. Cockroaches will find their way into a home through cracks, holes, and other places that provide entry.
Check under sinks and appliances for any spaces between your sink or refrigerator and the wall, as well as around pipes in the basement or crawlspace. Make sure windows and doors have a good seal to keep these pests out of your home.
| Area to Inspect | Signs of Infestation |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Grease marks, droppings, egg cases, and a musty odor |
| Bathrooms | Cockroach droppings, shed skins, and a musty odor |
| Basements | Dark, moist, and warm areas are ideal for cockroaches |
| Crawlspaces | Cockroach droppings, shed skins, and a musty odor |
| Attics | Dark, warm areas with easy access from other parts of the house |
Vacuum
It may seem like a no-brainer, but vacuuming often and thoroughly can help remove cockroaches.
As they are nocturnal creatures, many people don’t realize that these insects are active during the day.
They hide in tiny spaces in your home during the day, so it is important to vacuum every corner of your house at least once per day if you want to get rid of them for good.
You can make sure you’re doing this correctly by using a vacuum with a HEPA filter or one with high suction power (like Dyson).
Did you know that there are several different species of cockroaches that can be found in homes? Find out which species are the most common and how to identify them by reading our article on The Most Common Species of Cockroaches Found in Homes.
Deterrents
- Peppermint oil.
- Cedar chips.
- Bay leaves.
- Cloves.
- Cinnamon.
- Basil, or any other plant that repels cockroaches, such as lavender and mint (sprinkle them in cracks and crevices).
Diatomaceous earth (DE)
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a naturally occurring mineral made up of tiny fossilized diatoms. It works by causing the exoskeleton of insects to dry out and break apart. DE is safe for use around children and pets, but it can be harmful if ingested in large amounts.
These Tips Will Help You Keep The Roaches Away From Your Home
There are a number of ways you can keep cockroaches away from your home. A simple tip is to use traps, baits and other methods that will kill them.
You should also make sure that your home is clean, free of trash and clutter, and well-sealed so as not to invite them in.
Diatomaceous earth is also an effective method for killing roaches. You can spread it around the perimeter of your home or sprinkle it on the surfaces where you see roaches crawling around.
Just sprinkle it in areas where they frequently visit such as under cabinets or near drains so that they get stuck on their way across these areas when moving towards their food sources or nesting locations
Preventing cockroach infestations in your home starts with good hygiene and a few simple prevention measures. Discover our top tips for keeping cockroaches out of your house by reading our article on How to Keep Cockroaches Out of Your House.
Conclusion
In summary, you can get rid of roaches by following the above tips. There is no need to use powerful chemicals or expensive traps because these methods are very simple and effective.
However, if none of them seems to work for you then call an exterminator who will help you with other methods such as baiting or spraying insecticide inside your home.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources that you might find helpful in your quest to keep your home free of cockroaches:
How to Get Rid of Roaches in Your Home – Smith’s Pest Management offers some tips and tricks for managing and eliminating cockroach infestations in your home.
Home Remedies for Cockroaches – If you’re looking for natural remedies to help keep cockroaches at bay, Livspace has some great suggestions to get you started.
How to Get Rid of Cockroaches – The Royal Automobile Club of Western Australia (RAC) shares some effective strategies for getting rid of roaches in your home.
FAQs
What are the most common species of cockroaches found in homes?
The most common species of cockroaches found in homes are the German cockroach, the American cockroach, and the brown-banded cockroach.
Why are cockroaches a health hazard?
Cockroaches can carry and spread disease-causing bacteria, making them a significant health hazard. In addition, their droppings and shed skins can trigger asthma and allergies.
What are some signs of a cockroach infestation?
Signs of a cockroach infestation may include seeing live cockroaches, finding their shed skins or droppings, and noticing a musty or stale odor in your home.
How can I prevent cockroach infestations in my home?
To prevent cockroach infestations, you should keep your home clean and free of clutter, seal up cracks and gaps where cockroaches can enter, and store food in airtight containers.
Why should I hire a professional pest control company to handle my cockroach infestation?
Professional pest control companies have the tools and expertise needed to effectively eliminate cockroach infestations. They can also help you identify and address any underlying issues that may be contributing to the infestation.
Hello! I’m Hellen James, and I write about how to keep pests from invading your home. For the last 10 years, I’ve been working in pest control and am excited to share my expertise with you!
