How to Get Rid of Roaches in Your House

You can make your home quite unwelcoming for cockroaches.

It has been written that in case of nuclear destruction of our planet, roaches would be one of the few species to survive. Despite their level of toughness, it is possible to control roaches by following prudent tactics.

Things You'll Need

• Boric acid
• Sugar, flour or cornmeal
• Jar lids

Instructions

1. Rid your home of brown paper bags and cardboard boxes. The roaches lay their eggs in these items, and the babies eat the glue that holds them together. Roaches often come into your home in bags and boxes, and they continue to serve as a breeding ground.

2. Clean countertops of crumbs, dirty dishes and cups.

3. Mix boric acid with equal amounts of sugar, flour or cornmeal.

4. Place the mixture in jar lids and put the lids in cabinets or areas where roaches have been spotted. Look to distribute the lids in the kitchen, bathroom and basement. Place lids under the refrigerator, under sinks, along baseboards, behind the stove -- anywhere roaches like to travel and hide. The roaches walk through this mixture and take it back to their nest where it dries them out and they die.

Tips & Warnings

• If you still have a roach problem after following these procedures, you may need professional help. See my article about choosing pest control exterminators for some tips on hiring roach exterminators.

• Keep boric acid away from children and pets. While generally considered safe, it can be toxic in large amounts.

References

• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Keeping it Clean: Pest Control, Roaches and Ants
• Journal of Economic Entomology: Laboratory Evaluation of Boric Acid-Sugar Solutions as Baits for Management of German Cockroach Infestations