How to Kill Roaches Without Chemicals

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Things You'll Need

  • Diatomaceous earth

  • Spray bottle

  • 1 tsp. liquid dish washing detergent

  • Cucumber

  • Knife

Depending upon where you live, cockroaches can be very small or large.

Cockroaches help to keep the environment clean by eating garbage created by spilled food and rotting produce in your garden. Despite the fact that roaches are helpful, their presence in your yard or home quickly becomes invasive as they multiply. Most cockroach insecticides contain chemicals that can also be harmful to your pets and children. Kill roaches without using chemicals to keep your surroundings roach-free and your family and pets safe from chemical exposure.

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Step 1

Sprinkle diatomaceous earth where roaches have been sighted. Spread the powdery substance along baseboards, on top of cabinets and appliances and behind your refrigerator and stove. Diatomaceous earth cuts through the roach's exoskeleton, causing it to dehydrate and dry within a week or so.

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Step 2

Pour 1 tsp. liquid dish washing detergent into a spray bottle and fill the bottle with water. Keep the soapy solution handy to spray on any roaches you see. The soapy solution causes them to die.

Step 3

Cucumbers naturally repel roaches and ants.

Cut and peel cucumbers and place the vegetable pieces near the cockroaches' entryway into your home. This will repel any new cockroaches from coming into your home.

Tip

You can substitute boric acid for diatomaceous earth but keep boric acid out of reach of pets and children as it can be toxic.

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