How To Make Cockroach Traps (Explained)

Welcome to the world of roach traps! Cockroaches are a common pest in most homes and apartment buildings, but that doesn’t mean you should have to resign yourself to living with them. 

There are plenty of ways that you can get rid of these nasty pests on your own: some are simple (like keeping food storage areas clean) and some require a bit more effort (like setting up traps). 

Before we dive into how exactly to get rid of cockroaches using traps, let’s talk about why they’re so effective at ridding your home or business of these creepy crawlies.

HOW TO: DIY Cockroach Trap
Key Takeaways
Cockroach traps come in different forms, including sticky, bait, and electric traps
Effective placement of traps is essential to catch or kill cockroaches
Homemade traps can be a cost-effective alternative to commercial traps
Cockroach traps should be used in combination with other preventive measures, such as keeping a clean and dry environment
Use caution and follow manufacturer instructions when using traps around pets and children

A Glue Trap

Glue traps are humane, but they can be messy.

Glue traps are effective because cockroaches are attracted to the sweet smell of the glue. Cockroaches can get stuck in the glue and die. 

The glue traps should be placed in areas where cockroaches are seen or where they have been seen previously.

Are you tired of cockroach odors in your home? Don’t worry, we have a solution for you. Check out our guide on how to get rid of cockroach smell to learn effective and easy methods to eliminate cockroach odors once and for all.

Cockroach Motels

Cockroach Motels: This is a cardboard tube that you can buy at the hardware store, or use an empty cereal box. 

Cover the outside of the tube with a sticky substance like peanut butter, or even glue. Cockroaches are attracted to salty foods, so they will climb into your trap and get stuck on it.

Make sure that you have enough traps placed throughout your house so that all areas are covered by at least one trap.

ProductDescription
Hot Shot Ultra Liquid Roach BaitKills both large and small cockroaches, works for up to six months
Black Flag Roach MotelTraps cockroaches and keeps them secured with no escape
Raid Ant & Roach Barrier SprayCreates a barrier against roaches and other crawling insects, lasts for up to four weeks
Combat Max 12-Month Roach Killing BaitLong-lasting bait designed to attract and kill cockroaches, works for up to 12 months
Harris Famous Roach TabletsKills roaches, water bugs, and silverfish, safe for use in households with pets and children

Boric Acid

Boric acid is a chemical compound that you can buy at the store. It’s toxic to cockroaches, but safe for humans. You’ll want to use boric acid powder (not crystals) in your traps.

A Sugar and Baking Soda Trap

Mix 1/2 cup of sugar with 1/2 cup of baking soda.

Spread the mixture in a line along the wall. Try to make it about 3 inches wide and no more than 4 inches long (you don’t want too much, because you don’t want your roaches to have too much room to move around).

Cockroaches will be attracted to this mixture, but they won’t be able to climb up the wall because of how slippery it is. The sugar and baking soda will kill them as they eat it up!

Keeping your bedroom free of cockroaches is essential for a good night’s sleep. Learn how to prevent cockroaches in your bedroom by implementing our effective tips and tricks.

Diatomaceous Earth

You can also use diatomaceous earth to kill roaches. Diatomaceous earth is a soft, sedimentary rock that can be used to bait traps. 

The sharp edges of the particles cut through roach exoskeletons, dehydrating them and causing death by desiccation. 

It takes about 24 hours for the powder to work, so you’ll have to wait a little longer than with boric acid before you can clear out your kitchen floor if it’s been infested with roaches.

However, since diatomaceous earth is nontoxic and completely safe for humans and pets alike (as long as they don’t eat it), there’s no reason not to give it a try if you’ve got an infestation on your hands!

Salt and Borax Powder for Killing Roaches

Salt and Borax Powder for Killing Roaches

If you’re looking for an effective way to kill roaches, then look no further than a trap made with salt and borax powder. This method is great at killing roaches because it’s easy to make, cheap and effective.

To make a cockroach trap with this mixture: Mix 2 tablespoons of borax powder with 4 cups of table salt (sodium chloride). Using small amounts will prevent the mixture from getting wet since it needs to be dry in order to work properly. 

You can also add some sugar or flour if you want the mixture extra attractive for your roaches! Once your bucket has been filled with this mixture, place it somewhere where there are plenty of cockroaches running around so that they’ll be attracted by its smell

Don’t wait until you have a cockroach infestation to take action in your home. Learn from an expert on how to avoid cockroaches in your home and prevent these pesky insects from invading your space.

A Vinegar Spray to Kill Cockroaches

Vinegar is a great natural way to kill cockroaches. It’s also a cheap and effective way that you can try. Vinegar is a good alternative to chemical pesticides and other methods that use harsh chemicals.

If you want to keep roaches away, spray vinegar all over the areas where they like to hide. The vinegar will get rid of them because it dries out their exoskeletons, causing them to eventually die when they can’t move around anymore!

StepsDirections
1. Mix 1 part white vinegar with 1 part water in a spray bottle.Helps to dilute vinegar and reduce its strong odor
2. Shake well to mix.Ensures the contents are evenly distributed
3. Spray the mixture directly onto cockroaches or their hiding places.Targets the insects and the places they frequent
4. Repeat as necessary.May take multiple applications to completely eliminate the cockroach population

A Lemon Juice Spray to Keep Cockroaches Away

If you’re dealing with an infestation of roaches, make sure to use lemon juice as your first line of defense. It’s a natural pesticide that works to repel cockroaches and other pests.

Use this spray to clean surfaces where the roaches are living and breeding, as well as in areas where they travel. 

You can even spray it on yourself when you want to step into an area that has been sprayed so that they won’t follow you there!

Dealing with dead cockroaches can be an unpleasant experience. However, proper disposal is essential to prevent further infestations. Follow our guide on how to dispose of cockroaches and get rid of these pests for good

Catnip as a Cockroach Repellent

You can use catnip to repel cockroaches. Catnip is a natural insect repellent, so you need to plant a lot of it if you want it to be effective. 

Catnip is easy to grow and can be found at most garden centers. If you don’t want to grow your own, there are plenty of places online where you can buy catnip in bulk for a low price.

Catnip also works well as an alternative for repelling cockroach infestations if the pest control professional cannot help you with your problem or if you don’t want them in your home at all (especially since they may spray chemicals that could harm pets).

A Spray of Essential Oils to Help Repel Cockroaches

Essential oils can be an effective way to keep cockroaches away.

Essential oils like peppermint, lemongrass and lavender are effective in repelling cockroaches. You can mix essential oils or use them individually.

The best time to apply your homemade spray is at night, when cockroaches are most active. After a day of cleaning, turn off all lights and leave the room for about 30 minutes before making the spray. 

This will give you time to set up shop in another room so that if any survivors do come out after being sprayed with your mixture (which shouldn’t happen), they will quickly die off once they try again later on.

Mix 1 teaspoon of water with 10 drops each of peppermint oil and lemongrass oil in a small spray bottle with a fine mist nozzle on top—or just put them into separate bottles if you prefer that method instead! 

Chicken Manure in Place of Boric Acid to Kill Roaches

If you have chickens, chicken manure will be a handy item to have around. Chicken manure can be used as a substitute for boric acid in homemade roach traps. 

As long as you are sure that the chicken manure is free of any other additives and has not been treated with anything, it should be effective at killing cockroaches.

To use chicken manure to kill cockroaches, scoop up some fresh droppings from your flock (without touching them) and put it into the trap with all other ingredients except water. 

You can also mix up some dry powder or pellets from your local feed store that contain poultry digest and add these to your mixture instead of using fresh droppings straight out of the coop.

If you choose this method, make sure that the poultry digest does not have any added chemicals or toxins!

Waking up to the sight of cockroaches in your bed can be a nightmare. Keep your bed bug-free by learning how to keep cockroaches away from your bed. Implement our easy tips to prevent cockroaches from invading your sleeping space

The Paper Towel Trap

This is a simple and effective way to trap cockroaches. Here’s how it works:

Tape two pieces of cardboard together to form a rectangle. Make sure they are facing opposite directions (one on top, one on bottom).

Cut out the middle section of the cardboard so that there is an open space in the middle, but leave it connected at both ends.

Put some water and honey in a small bowl and put this on top of the cardboard so that it won’t slide around when you go to set up your trap. You can also just use one piece of cardboard with no tape if you don’t have any lying around!

When roaches come out from hiding to get water after being sprayed, they will fall into this trap instead!

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed this guide on how to make cockroach traps. If you have any questions or comments about it, feel free to leave them below and we will get back with you as soon as possible. Thanks for reading!

Further Reading

If you want to know more about how to effectively utilize cockroach traps, check out these articles:

Cockroach Traps 101: How They Work, And How To Use Them: This article explains how different types of cockroach traps work and provides tips for how to use them effectively.

How to Trap Cockroaches: This wikiHow article provides step-by-step instructions for making and using various homemade cockroach traps.

How to Make a Homemade Cockroach Trap: This blog post offers a detailed guide for crafting your own cockroach trap using simple household items.

FAQs

What are cockroach traps?

Cockroach traps are devices designed to capture or kill cockroaches. They come in different forms, such as sticky traps, bait traps, or electric traps.

Do cockroach traps really work?

Yes, cockroach traps can be effective in reducing cockroach populations. However, the success of the trap depends on factors such as the trap’s design, placement, and the level of infestation.

Where should I put cockroach traps?

Cockroach traps should be placed in areas where cockroaches are likely to move or gather, such as along walls, in corners, or near sources of food and water. Avoid placing traps in areas with high air currents or extreme temperatures.

How long do cockroach traps last?

The lifespan of a cockroach trap depends on the type and design of the trap, as well as the level of infestation. Some traps can be effective for up to three months, while others need to be replaced more frequently.

Are cockroach traps safe for pets and children?

Most cockroach traps are safe for pets and children, as long as they are used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. However, it is important to keep traps out of reach of children and pets, and to avoid placing traps in areas where they may be accidentally disturbed.