How To Get Rid Of Cockroaches In Home

While chemical solutions can be effective for eliminating cockroaches, there are also natural methods you can try for a more eco-friendly approach. Here are some key strategies to get rid of cockroaches naturally:

1. Maintain Cleanliness

Maintaining cleanliness is crucial as cockroaches are attracted to crumbs, spills, and dirty dishes. So, regularly clean your kitchen and bathroom, paying close attention to areas around the sink, stove, and refrigerator.

Don't leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight, and sweep or vacuum floors frequently to eliminate potential food sources.

2. Reduce Food and Water Sources

Cockroaches need both food and water to survive. Therefore, food should be stored in airtight containers and garbage should be disposed of regularly. Also, wipe down spills and leaks promptly to eliminate moisture sources.

3. Seal Entry Points

Cockroaches can squeeze through tiny cracks. So, seal any cracks or gaps around your home's pipes, windows, doors, and foundation. Additionally, repair leaky faucets and eliminate any standing water sources, like pet bowls left out overnight.

4. Moisture Control

Address any moisture problems in your home, as cockroaches thrive in humid environments. Fix leaky pipes, ensure proper ventilation in bathrooms and kitchens, and use dehumidifiers in basements or crawlspaces if necessary.

5. Step on Them

While stepping on a cockroach might seem like a quick solution for a single roach, it's not an ideal long-term strategy. This method won't eliminate an entire infestation, and dead roaches can attract other insects.

However, stepping on them is one of the popular methods that answers how to get rid of cockroaches as soon as you see them in your kitchen.

6. Use Baking Soda

To make this classic roach remedy, mix equal parts baking soda and sugar to create a bait. The sugar attracts roaches, and the baking soda dehydrates them after they ingest it. However, its effectiveness can be limited.

7. Diatomaceous Earth

This powder, made from fossilized algae, is abrasive and dehydrates roaches. Sprinkle it in areas where roaches frequent, but be cautious around pets as it can irritate their lungs.

8. Bait, Traps or Gels

These commercially available options contain attractants and insecticides. Roaches consume the bait and die, either within the trap or back in their nest, potentially killing others. Choose child and pet-safe options if necessary.

9. Citrus or Peppermint Sprays

Sprays made with natural ingredients like citrus peels or peppermint oil may repel roaches due to their strong scent. However, their effectiveness is often temporary, and repeated applications might be needed.

10. Apply Boric Acid

This powder acts as a stomach poison for roaches. While effective, it can be harmful to children and pets if ingested. Use caution and follow safety instructions carefully.

11. Use Chemicals

Chemical insecticides can be highly effective but should be a last resort. They pose risks to humans and pets if not used properly.  Always follow the label instructions and safety precautions meticulously.

12. Seek Professional Help

If the infestation is severe or these methods prove ineffective, don't hesitate to call a professional pest control company. They have access to stronger solutions and the expertise to effectively eliminate the roaches and prevent future problems.

But remember that a multi-pronged approach is often most successful. Combine natural methods with baits or traps, and address the underlying factors that attract roaches, like moisture and food sources. By being persistent and taking the right steps, you can reclaim your home from these unwelcome guests.

13. Use Catnip

Catnip contains nepetalactone, a natural cockroach repellent. Sprinkle catnip around areas where you’ve seen roaches, such as kitchen cabinets, under sinks, and around entry points.

You can also make a catnip tea and use it as a spray for more extensive areas. This method is safe for humans and pets, though it might attract cats.

14. Neem Oil

Neem oil is a natural insecticide that can deter cockroaches. Mix neem oil with water and a few drops of dish soap, then spray it around areas where roaches are commonly found.

Neem oil disrupts their hormonal balance, inhibiting their growth and reproduction. Regular application is necessary for effective results.

15. Use Cucumber Slices

Fresh cucumber slices can repel cockroaches due to their scent. Place cucumber slices in areas where roaches are seen, such as kitchen counters and under sinks.

While this method might not kill roaches, it can help in deterring them from certain areas temporarily. Replace the cucumber slices regularly for continuous effect.

16. Bay Leaves

Cockroaches dislike the smell of bay leaves. Crush a few bay leaves and place them in areas where cockroaches are likely to hide, such as cabinets and drawers.

This method is safe and natural, providing a mild deterrent that can help keep roaches away without using chemicals.

17. Cedar

Cedarwood has natural repellent properties. Use cedar chips, blocks, or essential oil in areas where roaches are common. Place cedar chips around your home or use cedar essential oil mixed with water as a spray.

The strong scent of cedar can deter cockroaches and other pests effectively.

18. Ammonia Solution

Cleaning with an ammonia solution can deter cockroaches. Mix a cup of ammonia with a bucket of water and use it to clean surfaces, floors, and drains.

The strong smell of ammonia repels roaches and makes your home less inviting to them. Regular cleaning with this solution can help prevent infestations.

19. Coffee Grounds

Used coffee grounds can act as a deterrent for cockroaches. Place coffee grounds in small containers around areas where roaches are seen, such as under appliances and near entry points.

The strong scent of coffee masks food smells that attract roaches and can discourage them from entering those areas.

Before you seek answers for how do i get rid of cockroaches, identifying the specific type of cockroach lurking in your home can be helpful in tackling the infestation. Here's a guide to some common cockroach culprits:

German cockroaches 

These little roaches, measuring only half an inch to five-eighths of an inch long, are light brown or tan in color. The giveaway feature for this unwelcome guest is the presence of two dark stripes running down its back, right on the area behind its head (pronotum).

They favor warm, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms, making them frequent house guests.

American cockroaches 

This large roach, measuring a full inch to two inches long, is impossible to miss. Their reddish-brown body is quite distinctive, but if you need further confirmation, look for a yellowish marking in the shape of a figure-8 on their head.

These roaches aren't picky about their habitat and can be found indoors in kitchens, bathrooms, and basements, or outdoors near drains and sewers.

Smokybrown cockroaches

This medium-sized cockroach, measuring about ¾  to 1 ¼ inches long, has a reddish-brown body with lighter-colored wings. While primarily an outdoor dweller in warm, moist areas, they can occasionally find their way indoors, particularly kitchens and bathrooms.

Asian cockroaches 

Another medium-sized roach, ranging from ½ inch to 1 inch long, the Asian cockroach is dark brown to black in color.  The key identifiers here are its ability to fly and the presence of yellow markings on its head.  They typically live outdoors in trees and shrubs, but can sometimes find their way into attics or kitchens.

Brown-banded cockroaches

This small roach, just about half an inch long, blends in with its brown coloring. But a closer look reveals light brown bands across its folded wings, making it a clear giveaway. These roaches prefer warm, dry areas and are often found in kitchens and bathrooms.

Cockroaches are sneaky creatures, but they often leave behind tell-tale signs of their presence. Here are some key indicators that you might have a cockroach infestation:

• Droppings: As mentioned previously, cockroach droppings, or frass, are small, dark pellets that resemble pepper flakes or coffee grounds. 

• Sightings: Seeing live cockroaches, especially during the day, is a clear sign of an infestation. Since they're nocturnal, daytime sightings indicate a large or disturbed population. You might spot them scurrying away when you turn on the lights, or hiding in cracks and crevices.

• Egg Cases: Cockroaches lay their eggs in protective capsules called oothecae. These oothecae are typically brown or reddish-brown, oblong-shaped, and about the size of a dime. Finding empty or discarded oothecae suggests past or present roach activity.

• Smear Marks: Cockroaches leave behind brown or reddish-brown smear marks as they travel along walls, floors, or near their harborage areas. These marks are caused by their oily bodies brushing against surfaces.

• Unusual Odors: Some cockroach species emit a musty, oily, or unpleasant odor, especially in heavily infested areas. This smell can become stronger as the infestation worsens.

• Shed Skin: As cockroaches grow, they shed their outer exoskeleton. You might find these shed skins around areas where roaches are active.

• Signs of Feeding: Cockroaches can damage food packaging and leave bite marks on food items. Additionally, they may leave behind fecal matter or shed skin near food sources.

• New Allergy or Asthma Symptoms: If you're experiencing unexplained allergy or asthma flare-ups, it could be a sign of a cockroach infestation. Their droppings and shed skin contain allergens that can trigger these symptoms.

While cockroaches aren't known for causing massive structural damage in your house, their presence can definitely be unwelcome and lead to a few issues:

• Contamination: This is the biggest concern. Cockroaches scavenge for food in unsanitary locations and carry bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella on their bodies. As they roam your house, they can contaminate surfaces and food with their droppings and shed skin, increasing the risk of foodborne illnesses.

• Allergen Source: Cockroach droppings and shed skin contain allergens, which are toxic, as we discussed above.

• Material Damage: While uncommon, cockroaches can damage some materials in your house if the infestation is severe and left unchecked. They can chew on book bindings, wallpaper, and even some fabrics like leather or silk.  They're particularly attracted to the glue or starch used in these materials.

• Unpleasant Odors: Certain cockroach species produce a musty or oily odor, especially in heavily infested areas. This smell can be unpleasant and become stronger as the infestation grows.

• Psychological Distress: Let's face it, cockroaches are creepy crawlies. Just seeing them scurrying around can be unsettling for many people, causing anxiety and stress.

Cockroaches play a surprising double role. They act as nature's decomposers in their natural habitat, breaking down decaying plants and animal matter. While breaking down these materials, cockroaches also ingest a lot of nitrogen, a crucial element for plant growth. The nitrogen gets trapped within the cockroach's body.

Their digestive systems help return nutrients to the soil. But when they release their waste (feces), this trapped nitrogen is deposited back into the soil.

However, around humans, they become unwelcome guests. They scavenge for food, often in unsanitary areas, and can spread germs and bacteria throughout a home as they scurry about. This can trigger allergies and asthma and contaminate surfaces and food.