This article is about different remedies to get rid of cockroaches. Cockroaches are nocturnal insects which are found in almost every vicinity. Cockroaches are also known as palmetto bugs or water bugs. Cockroach or roach infestation at home is a very common problem. They are active in the night only, so sometimes it is hard to detect their presence. Though you must keep your house clean, however, once the cockroach enters into your house, it will start multiplying until you start following some remedy to get rid of cockroaches.
Roaches generally live in the moist and dark area where they can hide and breed easily. They are mostly found at the back of the refrigerator, stoves, sinks, inside the motor, under floor drains, under rubber mats and wall cracks. Since cockroaches can easily flatten their body so they can hide into the narrow areas also. The cockroach infestation can be detected by roaches eggs and faeces which looks like the coffee ground or black paper. The unpleasant smell and bodies of the cockroaches are the key indications of cockroach infestation. Cockroaches carry germs which are a root cause of many diseases. Read more, to know about the different remedies to get rid of cockroaches.
Types of Cockroaches:
- American Cockroach
The body of the American cockroach is reddish-brown in color. It is the largest species of the roaches.
- Brownbanded Cockroach
Brownbanded cockroaches are brown in color with the banding on their wings.
- German Cockroach
They have an oval shape body with six legs and antennae. The color of German Cockroach is light brown with dark stripes on the back.
- Oriental Cockroach
Oriental cockroaches are also known as water bugs because they live in water of drains and sewers. They have shiny, and dark colored body.
Causes of Cockroach Infestation:
- Uncovered or stale food
Cockroaches are attracted to the smell of the food. So make sure that you cover the food tightly. Also, do not leave stale food. Thrash it before it attracts the roaches.
- Water Source
Cockroaches enter in the home and in office through water source such as sink drains, toilet boils, open water bottles, leaky pipe, faucets and water in bathtubs at etc.
- Cardboard Boxes
Cockroaches lay eggs in the cardboard boxes. When people shift from one place to the other or bring boxes from the stores or use paper bags to carry their stuff then the possibility of cockroaches increases. Do avoid this check the cardboard thoroughly.
- From one building to the other
If the stores, apartment or buildings are attached, then cockroaches may enter into your house through walls, electrical wiring, water pipe or etc in search of food.
- Guest – Sometimes guest unknowingly brings cockroaches in their bags and further they keep on multiplying.
- Cockroaches can resist in any temperature.
Effect of Cockroaches on Human:
- A protein known as allergens is found in the cockroach saliva and body parts which cause allergies and can be harmful to people with asthma and children.
- The body surface of cockroach is covered with pathogens such as E. Coli and Salmonella which are the root cause of food poisoning and other problems such as leprosy, dysentery, bubonic, urinary infection and diarrhea among children.
- If the bacteria released from cockroach are spread in the blood stream of the human then he can die also.
- According to the recent research, cockroaches excrete certain virus that leads to hepatitis.
- Roaches destroy Belongings. As soon as cockroaches enter into the house they start destroying books, electric appliances, clothes and etc.
Contents
Remedies to Get Rid of Cockroaches:
1.) Coffee Grounds to Allure the Roaches
Cockroaches are attracted to coffee, also, it is an organic substance from where roaches get nutrients. On the other hand, it is considered as a home remedy to encounter cockroaches. Take a jar half filled with water and coffee grinds. Place the jar in the water source or at the area from where cockroaches enter. The aroma of the coffee grounds will allure the roaches and they will get inside the jar. Once they are in, they won’t be able to escape, discard the roaches along with water. You can put multiple jars containing water and coffee grounds for quick results.
2.) Sugar and Borax to Get Rid of Cockroaches
Like organic substances sweets particularly sugar also allure the roaches. On the other side, Borax is used to kill them. Make a mixture of equal amount of Borax and sugar. Apply this mixture at baseboard, in cracks and other key areas from where roaches enter. It is the bait to kill the cockroaches instantly. Use borax Cautiously and keep them away from the kids and pets.
3.) Fabric Softener to Avoid Fabric Destruction
Fabric softeners also effectively kill cockroaches. Since roaches breathe through their skin so if you spray fabric softener on them, they will feel suffocated and eventually die. Mix fabric softener along with water and spray it directly on cockroaches. Or spray it on the key areas where roaches are mostly found.
4.) Cucumber Peels to Get Rid of Cockroaches
It is believed that cucumber peels with aluminum reacts to metal and produces a stinky smell, which is not tolerable to cockroaches. Place the cucumber peels in the can and place it where you find cockroaches. Cockroaches will gradually leave the place due to the strong smell.
5.) Baking Soda with Sugar to Kill the Pest
Borax can be hazardous for children, so instead of it, you can use baking Soda. Backing soda affects the digestive system of the roaches and ultimately kills them. All you have to do is in a bowl make a thick paste of baking soda and water. Mix it thoroughly. Spill the areas which are majorly infested by cockroaches.
6.) Bay leaf as repellent to Get Rid of Cockroaches
Bay leaf is a natural repellent. It does not kill cockroaches rather it drive roaches away. Crush the bay leaf into powder and sprinkle it near cockroaches nests. They will not like the smell of it and so they will leave the place. You have to sprinkle it regularly.
7.) Ammonia Water Solution as Insect Repellent
Ammonia has a pungent smell so it can be also used as a repellent. Add two cups of Ammonia in a bucket full of water. Clean the hard surfaces with this solution. With the regular usage, you will not find a single cockroach in your vicinity. However, the children and pets away from this.
8.) Catnip to Get Rid of Cockroaches
Catnip or catmint is also considered as a natural repellent. Put the sachets of catmint at the common areas visited by the cockroaches. You can also make a spray of catnip and water and spray it on the damp areas. Regular use of this remedy will help you to treat the cockroach infestation completely.
9.) Boric Acid to Get Rid of Cockroaches
Boric Acid is toxic in nature. Sprinkle it over the place which is mostly visited by the cockroaches. However, it should be out of children reach. Moreover, cockroaches feed at high places only. Boric acid will not only kill the cockroach but when they will take the acid back to their nests the eggs will also be destroyed.
10.) Hair Spray to Get Rid of the Cockroaches
Hairspray is the easiest remedy to kill cockroaches and their leftovers. Once the spray is spread, roaches will not be able to breathe and as a result, they will die. However, keep it away from kids and pets.
11.) Essential Oil to Keep the Roaches at Bay
Essential oils such as rosemary, lemon, cedar, eucalyptus can also be used as a natural repellent to get rid of cockroaches. Dab a cotton wool into any of the above essential oil and place it in the infested area. These oils have a strong smell which is not liked by the roaches. Therefore, they will leave the place.
12.) Pest Control Services for Effect Results
If any of the above remedies does not work go for pest control services. It is the most effective way to kill cockroaches from the roots.
For more information read home remedies for cockroach removal.