How to Rid Your Home of Cockroaches

Cockroaches can transmit bacterial diseases and hepatitis virus and have been known to spread dysentery and typhoid fever. Many people are allergic to them.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Growth Regulating Insecticides
• Insecticides
• Pesticides
• Sugars
• Baking Soda
• Baking Soda
• HEPA Vacuums
• Lidded Metal And Glass Containers
• Caulks
• Pipe Insulation

1. Eliminate sources of food and water. Store food in tightly sealed metal, glass or hard plastic containers. Remove trash from kitchens promptly, and place in containers with tight-fitting lids. Repair any plumbing leaks in or under your home. Place pet water bowls in a pan of soapy water at night.

2. Vacuum all corners to remove tiny food crumbs. If anyone in the house is allergic to roaches, be sure that your vacuum cleaner has a HEPA filter.

3. Prune plants away from vents near your home's foundation where roaches can creep in. Remove piles of debris.

4. Caulk cracks and crevices wherever possible, both inside and outside.

5. Check furniture and appliances that have been in storage for egg cases.

6. Consider insecticide only if you must; cockroaches learn very quickly to avoid fast-acting insecticides such as insecticide spray. If you must use an insecticide indoors, dust a slow-acting one such as boric acid under cupboards and into cracks and corners. Remember that boric acid is permanently ineffective once it becomes damp.

7. Use baits and sticky traps as effective alternatives to spraying indoors. Add insect-growth regulators to baits to increase their effectiveness. Look for them where insecticides are sold.

Tips & Warnings

• Tropical in origin, cockroaches require humidity and warmth as well as a food source. They prefer to live in cracks and tight crevices and are nocturnal. Bathrooms and kitchens are favorite haunts.
• Avoid the use of aerosol foggers. These can make the problem worse by dispersing the cockroaches over a wider area.

[jeanamaire]

on 6/5/2009 I WAS TOLD TO USE MOLE CRICKET BAIT TO KILL ROACHES BY PUTTING IT IN THE LEAVES AND MULCH AROUND MY HOUSE. HAS ANYONE EVER HEARD OF OR TRIED THIS METHOD?JEANA HANCOCKVALRICO, FL

[fearlessfox]

on 3/14/2008 You never say what the sugar and baking soda are for or how to use them?!
Also, boric acid can be dissolved in water to paint on surfaces for up to a yr. of roach control,(see:http://www.dfwx.com/boric.htm), so your statement in Step 6 is false.

[fearlessfox]

on 3/14/2008 You never say what the sugar and baking soda are for or how to use them?!
Also, boric acid can be dissolved in water to paint on surfaces for up to a yr. of roach control,(see:http://www.dfwx.com/boric.htm), so your statement in Step 6 is false.

[fearlessfox]

on 3/14/2008 You never say what the baking soda and sugar are for or how to use them?!
Also, boric acid can be dissolved in water to paint on surfaces for up to a yr. of roach control, so your statement in Step 6 is false. (See http://www.dfwx.com/boric.htm)

[fearlessfox]

on 3/14/2008 You never said what the sugar & baking soda is used for or how to use it?!
Also, boric acid can be dissolved in water to paint on surfaces for roach control for up to a year(see:http://www.dfwx.com/boric.htm), so how can it be ineffective when damp??