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How to Kill Cockroaches Naturally

Member
By Amy Rose
User-Submitted Article
(3 Ratings)

Here's an old farmer's method for killing cockroaches (and many pests) using a simple product called diatomaceous earth, which is readily available at health food stores or online. As more and more people are looking for earth-friendly pest control, this method for killing cockroaches is coming more into favor. There's more than one way to kill cockroaches with this substance, but this eHow article shows one method to get you started.

This article is copyrighted and written for the eHow site. Contact author for permission to reprint.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions
  1. Step 1

    Obtain food grade diatomaceous earth. This substance, which looks like white flour, is a product of mined fossilized silica shell. It kills all insects without poison and without them ever becoming immune because it dries up the outer waxy surface of the insect, which causes it to dry out and die. But there's also industrial grade diatomaceous earth and you don't need this to kill cockroaches. You must get the food grade type to be safe and natural.

  2. Step 2

    Make a barrier to kill cockroaches. Mix one cup of the white powder with a gallon of water and spray around the foundation of your house. Though it's harmless to the bugs while wet, once the water evaporates and leaves the white residue, it will last quite a while as an effective natural method to kill cockroaches. I don't have a specific timeline for reapplying as everyone's weather and situation are different. When we use diatomaceous earth, it seems to keep bugs away without having to respray even after we don't see the residue anymore. But you'll need to discover your own spray timeline.

  3. Step 3

    Sprinkle the powder in hiding places to kill cockroaches. Sprinkle small amounts of the diatomaceous earth around in wood piles, underneath pots and stones around the house foundation, cracks, crevices, and other places cockroaches hang out. It's considered safe even for pets and is used as an ingested internal parasite control. Just don't breathe it in (see Warnings, below).

Tips & Warnings
  • Just because something is natural and safe doesn't mean it should be inhaled. Always apply diatomaceous in a manner that keeps micro fine particles out of lungs. Once it sticks and settles, it should be fine.
  • Author disclaims liability and offers article for educational purposes only. Parents are responsible for any activities involving their children. Author's articles are registered with the national copyright office and protected with Copyscape

Comments  

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on 11/11/2009 Great steps to getting rid of cockroaches without a chemicals.

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on 9/4/2009 Very nice tips on killing cockroaches.

sonni57 said

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on 9/2/2009
Getting rid of roaches is no fun thanks for the helpful advice.

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