How to Get Rid of Cockroaches?

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.

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