How to Get Rid of Cockroaches in your House

You can control cockroaches with cleaning, boric acid and baits.

Whether you are in the country or the city, cockroaches are a way of life. Even the cleanest of homes can be subject to an infestation of roaches, if bought in from outside via groceries and packaged food from an infested location. There is never just one roach, so if you spot one, it's time to take steps to rid your home of roaches.

Things You'll Need

• Lidded garbage can
• Caulk
• Boric acid
• Bait traps

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Instructions

1. Put away food and keep counters clean. Pull your stove and refrigerator away from the wall. Clean the floor behind them and the sides of the appliances.

2. Place kitchen waste in a tightly covered garbage can and take out the trash frequently. Rinse your recyclables. Wipe down the shelves and cupboards in your kitchen and bathrooms.

3. Seal cracks and holes in the walls and floor. Caulk gaps around wall outlets, plumbing and switch plates if you occupy a multi-unit dwelling. Caulk drains and fix leaks in the bathroom and kitchen that provide cockroaches water. Covers drain when not in use.

4. Clean up areas outside of the house such as lumber piles, animal droppings and garbage piles. Get rid of old boxes, paper, clothing or anything else not in use, as these can serve as roach nests.

5. Sprinkle boric acid powder lightly in secluded areas where roaches might lurk, such as behind the stove or fridge and under cabinets. If there is too much powder, the roaches won't walk through it. Boric acid gets on the roach's feet. When they lick the powder off their feet, they dehydrate and die.

6. Place plastic roach bait traps in hard-to-reach areas such as under the sink and gels in narrow cracks.

Tips & Warnings

• If you see a roach, it means you have a problem. Act fast!

• Keep the house exceptionally clean until you know the problem has been removed.

• Adhere to all warnings on roach bait and boric acid containers.

References

• University of California Integrated Pest Management; Cockroaches
• University of Kentucky College of Agriculture; Cockroach Elimination
• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Least Toxic Methods of Cockroach Control