Roaches in the kitchen are not only an unsightly sight, but they also carry diseases. They’re generally attracted to food and garbage.
Since roaches feed on other insects and decaying matter, it’s important to eliminate or reduce moisture sources so that they won’t come into your home.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Trying natural remedies for cockroach control can be effective and eco-friendly. |
| Cleaning and preventing infestations before they get out of hand is essential. |
| Identifying the signs of a cockroach infestation, such as egg cases and fecal matter, is crucial to getting rid of them. |
| There are many natural remedies and DIY methods for getting rid of cockroaches, such as boric acid and essential oils. |
| If you’re struggling with a severe cockroach infestation, it may be time to call in the professionals. |
Note: This article is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for professional pest control services.
Clean Your Kitchen
The first thing to do is clean your kitchen. Cockroaches don’t like clean places, so it’s important to keep your home as tidy as possible. Cleaning the floor, cupboards, sink, and countertop will help reduce the number of places they can hide and breed in.
You should also make sure that there are no crumbs or scraps on the floor or in the sink—a cockroach will eat just about anything!
If you’re having trouble getting rid of cockroaches in your kitchen because you have a lot of food waste lying around, try using a compost bin instead. This way you can dispose of scraps without attracting cockroaches with them!
If you’re hesitant to use chemical pesticides to get rid of cockroaches, try out some natural remedies instead. Our article on Cockroach Control: Natural Remedies Vs. Chemical Pesticides highlights some effective and eco-friendly options for pest control.
Wipe The Floor
If you want to get rid of cockroaches in your kitchen, you should wipe the floor.
That’s right—just wipe it with…vinegar.
(And if that sounds too weird, here are some other things you can try:)
- Clean the floor with a mixture of vinegar and water.
- Clean the floor with a mixture of vinegar, water and baking soda (this works especially well on greasy floors).
| Cleaning Material | Time |
|---|---|
| Microfiber mop | 5 minutes |
| Damp cloth | 10 minutes |
| Sponge mop | 15 minutes |
| Broom | 20 minutes |
Seal The Cracks And Holes
After cleaning your kitchen, take a look around for cracks and holes. The most common places for cockroaches to enter are the gaps under the sink, around plumbing pipes, behind walls and floorboards and in between cupboards.
To seal these gaps use steel wool or caulk/silicone sealant. Steel wool can be used to plug any small holes you find with it as well as create a barrier across larger gaps if used correctly.
When applying steel wool effectively make sure you don’t leave any voids where pests can get through then apply silicone or another sealant over top to prevent escape routes from being reopened once they’ve been sealed up by the steel wool.
Don’t let cockroaches overrun your home. Follow these 15 Effective Ways to Get Rid of Cockroaches in Your Home to keep your kitchen and living spaces clean and pest-free
Stuff The Cracks With Steel Wool
For the more adventurous, and for those who don’t mind getting a little dirty, steel wool is an excellent option.
It’s cheap, reusable, and easy to find at any hardware store. Just grab yourself a few rolls of it, stuff some into the holes around your home (especially under sinks) and watch as your roach problem disappears.
The reason steel wool works so well is that it doesn’t rust or corrode like other materials might do over time; plus, it can be washed and reused multiple times before eventually needing to be replaced.
It’s also not very expensive—you can get enough steel wool to fill all those pesky gaps in no time flat!
Don’t Forget To Use Traps
As you’re cleaning up and getting rid of the roaches, don’t forget to use traps. If a roach has been able to get into your home, there are probably more hiding out in close proximity. Once one is gone, other roaches will soon follow.
While traps are an important part of getting rid of cockroaches in your kitchen, you also need to be sure that you’re using the right kind.
Cockroaches are crafty little creatures who can find their way around pretty much any trap if it doesn’t work properly! So here are some tips when choosing your bait:
Use a sticky trap that has been specifically designed for this purpose (like this one). This will ensure that they can’t escape easily by climbing over or under it because it sticks directly onto surfaces without any gaps between them at all.
Place several traps around different areas where you’ve seen signs of infestation so that there’s always food nearby no matter where they go next time! Your goal should be 100% saturation here; otherwise, these pests might just go somewhere else instead.
Regular inspections and treatments are key to preventing a cockroach infestation in your home. Learn more about why this is important in our article on The Importance of Regular Cockroach Inspections and Treatments
Use Sprays, Powders Or Other Chemicals
In the battle of roaches vs. humans, it’s time to put on your big girl (or boy) pants and use sprays, powders and other chemicals.
While these options are certainly effective at killing roaches, they can also be harmful to the environment in general.
The chemicals in these products are toxic to both children and pets, so it’s important not to let them get access to any of these materials when they’re still wet or dry (so always keep them out of reach).
Besides being harmful to you and yours, using sprays can be harmful for the environment too! These products contain harsh chemicals that kill all kinds of bugs including beneficial insects like bees and butterflies not just cockroaches.
For this reason alone I recommend using alternative methods when possible; however if you want/need something more heavy duty try one of our top picks below:
Make A Mixture Of Boric Acid And Sugar
- Make a mixture of boric acid and sugar.
- Put it in places where roaches can’t reach, such as under your refrigerator or behind the stove.
- Leave it overnight and clean up the next day. Repeat if necessary!
Nobody wants to deal with cockroach problems in their house. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to prevent them from getting in. Check out our guide on How to Keep Cockroaches Out of Your House for handy tips and tricks
Make A Mixture Of Flour And Baking Soda
The first thing you can do to get rid of roaches is to mix flour and baking soda together.
Place the mixture in a bowl, and place it in the kitchen. The roaches will eat it, and die. If you have any other food that has been left out for a long time, remove it from your kitchen immediately, because this mixture will keep killing roaches for a long time.
Use Bay Leaves As A Repellent
Another way to get rid of cockroaches is by using bay leaves as a repellent. Bay leaves are natural insect repellents, so it makes sense that they could be used to deter cockroaches. To use bay leaves as a cockroach repellent, you can place them in the corners of rooms or in your kitchen drawers and cabinets.
Nobody wants to deal with cockroach problems in their house. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to prevent them from getting in. Check out our guide on How to Keep Cockroaches Out of Your House for handy tips and tricks.
Get Some Diatomaceous Earth
Get some diatomaceous earth. This is a powder made from fossilized remains of diatoms, tiny planktonic algae that lived in oceans and lakes millions of years ago.
It’s very effective at killing insects because the insect’s exoskeleton absorbs the sharp edges of the powder, causing it to dehydrate and die.
Diatomaceous earth is safe for use around people, pets, children and plants—so there’s no need to worry about using it around your family or pets
Try Using Cucumbers Against Roaches
- Place slices of cucumber in containers and leave them on the counter. The strong smell will repel roaches.
- Leave sliced cucumbers on the floor overnight; this will also deter cockroaches from entering your home.
- Don’t leave them in your kitchen for too long, as they might attract other pests, like ants or mice. Also, don’t keep them if you have pets around — unless you want to risk having a pet vomit on all that rotting food!
Not sure if you’re dealing with a cockroach infestation? Our article on How to Identify a Cockroach (Explained) can help. Learn about the different types of cockroaches and how to identify them, so you can take the right steps to eradicate them from your home.”
Conclusion
If you have roaches in your kitchen, then hopefully this article has given you some ideas on how to get rid of them.
You should try out several techniques and see what works best for you. Remember that roaches love moist environments so keeping things dry will help keep them away from your home or apartment.
Also, be sure not to leave any food lying around because these bugs are always looking for something yummy!
Further Reading
Effective ways to get rid of cockroaches: Read about the best ways to get rid of cockroaches, including tips for both chemical and natural solutions.
How to Get Rid of Roaches: This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about cockroach infestations and how to get rid of them.
7 remedies that prevent cockroaches and bugs in the kitchen: This article provides you with 7 natural remedies that can prevent cockroaches and other bugs from infesting your kitchen.
FAQs
How do I know if my kitchen has a cockroach infestation?
Signs of a cockroach infestation include a musty odor, fecal matter, and egg cases in your kitchen. You might also see live cockroaches scurrying around at night.
What are some natural remedies for getting rid of cockroaches?
Natural remedies for getting rid of cockroaches include using boric acid, diatomaceous earth, or essential oils like peppermint or tea tree oil. You can also use a mixture of baking soda and sugar as a bait to attract and kill them.
Can cockroaches cause health problems?
Yes, cockroaches can cause health problems as they can carry harmful bacteria and allergens that can exacerbate asthma symptoms. It’s important to keep your kitchen clean and free of cockroach infestations.
How can I prevent cockroaches from entering my kitchen?
You can prevent cockroaches from entering your kitchen by keeping it clean and dry, sealing up cracks and crevices, and using natural repellents like bay leaves or cucumber peels.
When should I call a professional pest control service?
If your cockroach infestation is severe or persists despite your best efforts, it may be time to call a professional pest control service. They can help you identify the source of the problem and implement more effective solutions.
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!
