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
- HEPA Vacuums
- Lidded Metal And Glass Containers
- Caulks
- Pipe Insulation
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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.
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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.
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3
Prune plants away from vents near your home's foundation where roaches can creep in. Remove piles of debris.
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4
Caulk cracks and crevices wherever possible, both inside and outside.
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5
Check furniture and appliances that have been in storage for egg cases.
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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.
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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.
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1
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.
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Comments
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lilstash
Oct 06, 2010
Cont: reuse it...this may be preferable due to the roach droppings in it that will draw in more. The droppings are loaded with pheromones which the females secrete when ready to mate. However, I would normally poor a bit of bleach in the jar, seal it, toss it out then reset another in the same spot/s. The only way we ever finally completely rid ourselves of a roach problem was to leave the house for 2 weeks, with the elec turned off, and allowed them to be frozen by the 15 degree F temps during one winter. Leaving the electric turned on, no matter if the heat is off, allows them to find warmth in your appliances, ie: refrigerator motor, microwave clock, alarm clocks, etc... Don't forget to turn off the gas as well, since water heaters and stoves have pilot lights. One tip regarding the traps: It is essential that you clean any and all droppings that you find...they will be stuck... -
lilstash
Oct 06, 2010
It's my understanding that Boric acid disrupts their nervous systems and digestive systems, eventually causing death. The powdered sugar/baking soda mixture by themselves would be effective in that following ingestion they will drink water...baking soda and water bubble up and would cause them to pop. I have never tried these, so can't say if it is true or not. After my in-laws moved in, bless their hearts, we became overwhelmed by what I found out were German Cockroaches. I fairly successfully controlled a roach problem by using what is called a Vegas trap. A canning jar with a small mouth is lightly oiled on the inside just under the lip...place irresistible potato peelings or chunks into the bottom and put the jar in a dark corner where nests are known to be. After a few days, if you have a bad infestation, the bottom will be covered in roaches. You can empty the trap and...
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lilstash
Oct 06, 2010
It's my understanding that Boric acid disrupts their nervous systems and digestive systems, eventually causing death. The powdered sugar/baking soda mixture by themselves would be effective in that following ingestion they will drink water...baking soda and water bubble up and would cause them to pop. I have never tried these, so can't say if it is true or not. After my in-laws moved in, bless their hearts, we became overwhelmed by what I found out were German Cockroaches. I fairly successfully controlled a roach problem by using what is called a Vegas trap. A canning jar with a small mouth is lightly oiled on the inside just under the lip...place irresistible potato peelings or chunks into the bottom and put the jar in a dark corner where nests are known to be. After a few days, if you have a bad infestation, the bottom will be covered in roaches. You can empty the trap and...
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jeanamaire
Jun 05, 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
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fearlessfox
Mar 14, 2008
You never say what the sugars and baking soda are used for or how to use them. I really need a non-toxic way to exterminate these things! I read somewhere that you can mix water and boric acid to paint it around their hideouts, but if water makes it ineffective how could that work?
