Cockroaches are Hard to Find
Firstly, it’s important to note that getting rid of cockroaches is challenging, particularly once there’s an infestation. “Cockroaches are one of the most common and stubborn pests because they can hide in numerous areas, reproduce quickly, and develop resistance to treatments,” explains Ian Williams, an entomologist and technical services manager with Orkin.
1. Preventative Measures Keep Cockroaches Away
As noted above, cockroaches are a challenge to get rid of, and it’s often hard to know they’re there because they commonly nest in hidden places. Therefore, preventative measures are the best way to ensure you won’t find cockroaches in your home.
Cleanliness and blocked holes are key. For example, keeping a clean place and addressing crumbs and spills when they happen are both essential. Moreover, treating hard-to-reach places like under appliances for grease and food particles is another great way to prevent cockroaches, as they’ll have nothing to feed on. Next, take your trash out regularly or keep trash in a closed bin. Caulk any holes, pipe openings, and windowsills to keep cockroaches from getting indoors. “You also want to minimize the amount of free water they can have access to, so clean any spills and fix any leaking pipes or faucets,” Dr. Chad Gore, an entomologist and Technical Director with Terminix, disclosed.
2. Store-Bought Treatments
Although preventative action is a great way to keep cockroaches away, it doesn’t always work. Nor does it help if you already have a cockroach infestation. Luckily, store-bought sprays and treatments have proven effective. However, most people incorrectly use them, thereby rendering them ineffective.
For example, repellents “move the pests from one area of your home to another.” As a result, most treatments won’t be effective against a cockroach infestation. They’re great for killing one at a time and are convenient for getting into small nooks and cracks. However, they’re not great for your lungs and can cause an adverse reaction to bait traps. Sprays typically have pyrethroids/pyrethrins repellants, which Gore explains will prevent cockroaches from eating what’s in the trap.
3. Traps
While sprays and traps don’t go well together, they’re each effective in their area so traps make a great alternative if you’re worried about the chemicals in aerosol spray cans. These can be bought over the counter at most hardware stores or Walmart. Gore explains these are very effective, but only if there are enough traps to account for the entire cockroach population. As such, they may not be effective alone, if you have an infestation.
4. Natural Store Bought Products
A powder made with fossilized remains of small organisms called diatoms is a natural alternative to harsh sprays. It’s called Diatomaceous Earth and must remain dry to be effective. Furthermore, it must be used properly and specifically. “It must be light dusting, as cockroaches won’t crawl over large amounts, and getting them to crawl over it is essential,” explains another pest expert, Rocky Beninato, founder of Quality Affordable Pest Control. “Once they do, it will pierce their bodies and drain the moisture from them.”
“Just light puffs of the dust is generally sufficient,” Gore added. “Less is best, and more can actually repel them.”
5. Essential Oils can Supplement Protection
While essential oils aren’t strong enough on their own, scents like eucalyptus and lavender deter cockroaches. They should be used will other methods as they don’t last as long. However, they smell lovely to most people and they can help prevent cockroaches, so long as the scent is present. As a result, you may have to spray several times a day or keep an oil diffuser going as often as possible.
6. Vaccum Away Cockroaches
Another effective to remove cockroaches from your home is to vacuum them up. “Using the vacuum approach can allow a person to remove a large portion of a population and immediately impact their reproductive potential,” says Gore. “Discard your vacuum contents into a bag and goose-tie knot it to prevent escape.”
7. Call for Help
This may not be the cheapest method, but if all else fails call a professional. While many recommended methods for removing cockroaches will work on a few, an infestation of cockroaches is another issue and may require help from a professional. Many pest control companies are around nationwide so it should be easy to contact one nearby. Additionally, they’ll be able to help you identify the type of cockroach you’re dealing with, which may impact how they should be treated.
8. Effective Against Ants and Cockroaches
Boric acid is another natural alternative to sprays or traps. The cockroaches walk through the dust, collecting particles and eventually ingesting them. Like Diatomaceous Earth, “a light dusting” is sufficient. However, most boric acid bottles and boxes have free-flowing tops, so Gore suggests opening them part-way to ensure you don’t accidentally go overboard. Boric acid has also proven effective against ants, when used correctly. If you find the boric acid doesn’t work the first time around, there’s a homemade recipe you can follow that has been effective in treating homes for cockroaches.
Boric Acid Recpie for Killing Cockroaches
The homemade recipe contains boric acid and egg yolks. It’s simple, low-cost, and effective.
What you need:
- Roughly 3 tablespoons of Boric Acid
- 1 egg yolk
- Wax or Parchment paper
Then, mix the acid and egg until they have a “dough-like consistency.” Shape them into balls and place them on paper to dry. (This should take just over an hour.) Then, place them around your home, paying special attention to “cool, dark, and damp places.”
Getting rid of cockroaches isn’t always easy. Luckily, several methods are possible, giving you some flexibility regarding what feels best for you and your family.
