Cockroaches are one of the most annoying pests to find in your home. They breed quickly and can infest an entire house within just a few months.
You can get rid of them yourself or hire an exterminator, but either way, you need to know what type of roaches you have so that you know how to keep them from coming back.
There are many different types of cockroaches that live all over the world: American (Periplaneta americana), German (Blattella germanica), Oriental (Blatta orientalis), Australian (Latrodectus hasselti) and Brownbanded (Supella longipalpa).
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Cockroach infestations can pose serious health risks, but with proper prevention and treatment, they can be avoided. |
| There are safe and effective natural remedies for eliminating cockroaches, as well as chemical treatments that should be used with caution. |
| Regular inspections and treatments can go a long way in preventing cockroach infestations and preserving your home’s safety and cleanliness. |
| Identifying the species of cockroaches in your home can help you determine the best approach for treatment and prevention. |
| Maintaining cleanliness, proper food storage, and sealing up cracks and gaps can help prevent cockroach infestations. |
Each type likes different conditions so they don’t normally all inhabit the same place at once!
Buy Cat Or Cockroach Killer
You can try to eliminate cockroaches by buying a cat or cockroach killer. However, this may not be the best idea as poisons can be harmful to pets and children.
Instead, check the label of your product to make sure it is a safe product and use only as directed on the label. Keep away from food and food preparation areas while using these products.
If you’re looking for safe and effective ways to control cockroaches, our guide on natural remedies vs chemical pesticides can help you determine the best approach for your home
Try Boric Acid
You can use boric acid to kill cockroaches. Boric acid is a chemical that kills roaches by causing dehydration and irritation of the skin and tissues in their bodies, resulting in death.
It is often used to kill cockroaches because it’s not poisonous to humans or pets, but it’s highly toxic for insects like roaches.
It comes in powder form and is white with no odor or taste, so it can be mixed with flour or sugar which can make it more appealing for roaches to eat.
You can sprinkle the boric acid around areas where you think roaches are hiding; if you find dead ones lying around after a week or two, that may be a sign that your treatment has been effective!
Use A Flyswatter
The first thing you need to do is grab your fly swatter and go after them. Don’t use your bare hands or feet, as they’ll just scurry away and make more mischief. Shoes are also recommended; slippers won’t cut it!
Be sure to hold the flyswatter at an angle so that when you swing it down towards the roach, it hits its back rather than its head (and yours).
Cockroach infestations pose serious health risks, but with proper prevention and treatment, they can be avoided. Learn about the dangers of cockroach infestations and how to protect your home.
Pour Boiling Water Where They Hide
If you have a lot of cockroaches, you can pour boiling water where they hide. Make sure to do it at night when they are not active.
You don’t want them running away and hiding somewhere else. Also, make sure that the space is large enough for them to be able to run around in the boiling water and not get burned by its heat (i.e., don’t put the pot on the stovetop).
If you have a small problem with roaches or only one or two around your house, then pouring boiling water won’t help much because they’ll just run away from it into another part of your house where there aren’t any cockroaches yet!
So if you want something effective against a small infestation, try using boric acid powder instead which kills roaches quickly without having to worry about whether or not they’ll escape before dying off completely.”
| Methods | Description |
|---|---|
| Pour boiling water | Pour boiling water down the drain or in areas where cockroaches are hiding to kill them. |
| Effectiveness | Has been proven to be effective against cockroaches. |
| Complexity | Simple and easy to perform. |
| Cost | Free or low cost. |
| Safety | Beware of hot water, and make sure it doesn’t splash back and cause injuries. |
Kill Them With Soapy Water
Cockroaches are tough, but soapy water is stronger. Soapy water is a good way to kill the roaches because it’s strong enough to kill them but not strong enough to damage the environment.
Soap and water is easy to make, cheap, and non-toxic. You can buy it at any grocery store or place that sells household cleaning products. It doesn’t have a bad smell either!
Use Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is a powder made from fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae. This powder can be used to kill cockroaches and other insects that crawl on the ground.
Diatomaceous earth works by piercing an insect’s exoskeleton and dehydrating it. The grains of the substance are small enough to work through an insect’s body but large enough to get stuck in their joints, causing them to lose mobility.
The dehydration effect also prevents eggs from hatching so that they will eventually die out as well.
The powder can be applied directly onto surfaces where you think roaches might hide or nestle, including cracks around baseboards and corners where walls meet floors or ceilings.
For best results apply at night when cockroaches are active so they come into contact with it while foraging for food sources like crumbs on countertops or under furniture cushions
It’s frustrating to deal with a cockroach infestation, but there are ways to effectively eliminate them from your home. Check out our list of 15 effective ways to get rid of cockroaches and keep your home pest-free
Mix Borax And Sugar
Boric acid is a natural insecticide and it can be used to kill cockroaches. Mixing borax with sugar is an excellent bait for cockroaches, as they love it. This combination is also effective against ants, fleas and other insects.
It’s recommended that you use a tea spoon of white borax powder in 1 cup of boiling water and mix it well until all the ingredients are dissolved together.
Then add this mixture to 20 liters of water (about 5 gallons) to prepare the solution which should be stored in bottles with lids on them and placed where there are likely spots for cockroach activity (near sinks or behind stoves).
Catch Them Using Sticky Adhesive Traps
If you’re looking to trap cockroaches, the best way is with sticky adhesive traps. These traps work by luring pests into them with food scents or smells that they find appealing.
When they walk over the trap, they get stuck and then die of dehydration—which can take up to a week depending on how many insects are in your home.
To use these traps effectively:
Place them in areas where there are lots of cockroaches (like kitchen counters or near appliances).
If you have a large infestation and need more than one type of trap, place each type in different parts of your home so you can monitor which areas are being targeted more often than others.
Replace existing traps every month if possible (or as needed) because dead roaches will soon start attracting other pests like ants and lizards!
It’s also important not to touch dead pests because diseases such as salmonella could be transmitted through their bodily fluids.
Instead, remove them from their original location using something disposable like tongs or chopsticks before putting them into an outdoor trashcan for disposal (or composting if possible).
Regular inspections and treatments can go a long way in preventing cockroach infestations and preserving your home’s safety and cleanliness. Learn about the importance of regular cockroach inspections and treatments to protect your family and property.
Drown Them In The Toilet Bowl
To drown the roaches, you’ll need a jar or cup and water. Fill the jar with enough water to cover the roaches when they are inside.
Put on the lid and place it in your toilet bowl so that it is submerged in water, but not touching any part of the drain (as this could be dangerous). Leave it overnight.
| Methods | Description |
|---|---|
| Drown cockroaches in toilet bowl | Flush cockroaches into the toilet bowl and drown them. |
| Effectiveness | Can be effective, but may not work for larger infestations. |
| Complexity | Simple and easy to perform. |
| Cost | Free. |
| Safety | Avoid touching cockroaches or getting too close to them. May not be the most hygienic method. |
Fill A Jar With Beer To Drown Them
Another method of killing cockroaches is to put a piece of paper over the mouth of the jar and then fill it with beer. Cockroaches will be attracted to the smell, fall into the jar and drown.
Set Up A Roach Motel Trap
A roach motel trap is an easy way to get rid of cockroaches. You’ll need:
- cardboard (a cereal box will do)
- masking tape or duct tape (optional)
- a handful of sugar cubes or pieces of bread (optional)
Once you have everything together, follow these steps:
Cut the top off your cereal box and make two holes on opposite sides as shown in the photo below. The size of the holes depends on how big your traps are going to be you can make them larger than this if necessary but keep in mind that smaller spaces will result in more captures!
Different species of cockroaches require different approaches to control and prevent infestations. Check out our guide on the most common species of cockroaches found in homes to identify which species are present in your home and how to effectively deal with them
Conclusion
To keep your home free of roaches, you need to know that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The best way to stop them is by combining different methods and trying out different techniques.
You also need to check if there are any gaps in the house where they can enter and exit easily and seal those off as soon as possible.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources on how to effectively deal with cockroach infestations:
RAC: How to get rid of cockroaches – Comprehensive guide to identifying and preventing cockroach infestations, as well as safe and effective ways to eliminate them from your home.
Smith’s Pest Management: How to Get Rid of Roaches in Your Home – Tips and tricks for banishing roaches from your home without relying on harmful chemicals or expensive treatments.
Livspace: Home Remedies for Cockroaches – Natural remedies for controlling cockroach infestations, using common household ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, and essential oils.
FAQs
How can I prevent cockroach infestations?
Regular cleaning and proper food storage are key to preventing cockroach infestations. Keep your home clean and free of clutter, and store food in airtight containers. Repair any leaks or moisture issues that may attract cockroaches, and seal up any cracks or gaps in your walls, floors, and foundations.
What are some signs of a cockroach infestation?
Signs of a cockroach infestation include droppings, shed skins, egg cases, and a musty odor. You may also see live cockroaches scurrying around at night.
How can I get rid of cockroaches without using pesticides?
There are many natural and chemical-free ways to eliminate cockroaches from your home, including diatomaceous earth, boric acid, and essential oils like peppermint and tea tree. You can also try using traps or bait stations to lure and kill cockroaches.
Are cockroaches harmful to my health?
Yes, cockroaches can pose serious health risks, as they can carry harmful bacteria and allergens. Cockroach infestations have been linked to asthma and other respiratory issues, as well as food poisoning and other illnesses.
When should I call a professional pest control company?
If you have a severe or recurring cockroach infestation, it may be time to call in the experts. Pest control companies can provide targeted treatments and ongoing monitoring to ensure that your home stays cockroach-free.
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!
