How to Kill Roaches in your Home

You can kill your roaches without using a roach exterminator. There are many at home treatments which can work. Cockroaches can spread germs to you and your family and they are disgusting to look at. If you see one roach then you have a problem and you need to take care of it as quickly as possible. Roaches hide during the day so the best way to find them is to use a flashlight at night and looking in places they love such as cabinets and pantries. There are many do-it-yourself ways to kill a roach. Keep trying until you find the method that works for you.

Instructions

1. Mix 1 part boric acid, 2 parts flour and 1 part cocoa to make a boric acid dust. This is less dangerous then many insecticides, but can still be toxic to kids and pets. Scatter a thin dusting of the powder in places roaches hang out - cupboards, under sinks, cracks, etc. This will not repel the roach, but they will drag it home to feed their families. If possible leave the powder out for a few days. Then cleanup up the powder using a wet rag and vacuum all of the powder that remains. You can leave some of it in dark places, under the stove and refrigerator and where you know roaches hide. Do not leave any where food is stored or where kids or pets can reach and touch the powder.
   If you have children or pets you may want to put the powder in small containers such as old plastic lids or just cut squares of aluminum foil. Place them in areas that the roaches like, but the kids where little ones cannot reach.
   Boric acid becomes ineffective over time, so it needs to be replaced periodically. Water makes it lose potency so using it outdoors isn't as effective. Remember to not breathe the powder; it can irritate your lungs.

2. Mix equal parts of sugar and baking soda for another effective roach control method. Roaches eat the sugar, and the baking soda gives them gas and kills them. It only takes about a cup of the mixture to treat a house. Place dabs in strategic spots. If you have pets, make sure this mixture is where they cannot get it because it may make them sick.

3. Purchase roach traps or bait. An easy, safe, and effective method of monitoring your cockroach problem is with traps. Roach traps can be found in a child proof case or applied as a gel. They contain a slow-working poison and are mixed with something cockroaches find attractive. These will trap the roaches and then you dispose of them. They are easier to contain and may be better around children and pets. There is another article in the resource section to show you how to make your own.
   Baits can also be bought or you can make your own using the Boric Acid or Sugar mixtures discussed in this article. Place the bait where children and pets cannot get them. The roaches eat the poison in the bait and take it back to the nest, where it eventually kills them.

4. Use a water and soap solution. Mix any kind of soap with water to make this solution. Spray or throw on the roaches and try to make contact with the roach's head and lower abdomen. The roach will die quickly, but you need to throw it out as soon as possible. Roaches breathe through their skin and the soapy water forms a thin film on the breathing pores. This causes the roach to suffocate. However, sometimes the roach can recover when the water dries up so get rid of it as soon as possible. This is a very effective yet simple method.

5. Prevent re-infestation by keeping your house clean. Clean up crumbs and spills promptly and remember roaches love grease. Dirty dishes in a damp sink would be a roach's dream. Empty trash regularly and keep trash away from the house. Roaches are attracted to water so fix any leaks or drips. Roaches can get into your house through cracks as small as 1/16 of an inch. Seal all cracks especially around the pipes.

6. If none of these methods work for you, it is time to call professional roach exterminators and ask about their least toxic treatment. Exterminators are licensed to use stronger chemicals while keeping your family safe.

Tips & Warnings

• Roaches breed quickly. Start your quest to get rid of them at the first sign.

• Fill empty pill bottles with the boric acid or sugar mixtures and lay them on their sides in places where roaches like.

• Read instructions on any product you use to keep you and your family safe.

Resources

• Make Your Own Roach Trap