The mere presence of cockroaches going on all fours on your kitchen and countertops can be horrifying. But what’s worse than getting the heebie-jeebies at the sight of these pests is the disease-causing bacteria they can carry and transmit to humans. Cockroaches can contaminate your food, and not even the old best-laid techniques can banish them forever. However, it’s possible to get rid of even the most persistent infestation problems. Here are effective solutions to eradicate cockroaches in your home and keep them away forever.
1. Know Your Enemy.
There are about 3,000 identified species of roaches on this planet. The most common species are:
- The American cockroach ( Periplaneta americana)
- The German cockroach (Blattella germanica)
- The Oriental cockroach
- The brown-banded cockroach
Knowing which cockroach species is causing the infestation in your home helps you know the techniques to get rid of them fast. Different roaches have varied food preferences, and the more you know about which species you have, the better your odds of removing them from your home.
One way to identify the species you’re dealing with is by catching a few them with the use of sticky traps (or monitor glue traps) and them comparing them online (or consulting your local experts). These basic traps are made of strong adhesives and cardboard.
Here’s how:
- To make catching roaches faster, add some food crumbs at the center of the trap. This will lure the cockroach to the adhesive and it will be trapped before reaching the food.
- Choose the location of your traps wisely. Be strategic. You can place them on crevices, cupboards, and under your kitchen.
- Once you’ve captured a few of them, pick up the trap and inspect the roaches closely. Identify their species based on their physical characteristics. This is the fastest way to determine their species.
2. Learn Why They’re Attracted To Your Home
Cockroaches are pests that love to live indoors among humans. It’s because they thrive on the warmth, food, and water that indoor spaces provide. In short, your house is exactly what they’re looking for in an ideal home. Such necessities are what keeps your home under their radar. However, all these conditions don’t have to present in a home before they could deem it suitable for living. All it takes is to smell food from your place.
Once they find their way into your kitchen and discover it has everything they need for a shelter, they’ll signal the others until they eventually invade your home. Soon enough, they’ll multiply by leaps and bounds (unless you call a pest control expert early). They’ll nibble on your food, which can cause contamination and may lead to a host of diseases.
3. Seal Off All Entry Points.
Due to their soft bodies, roaches can flatten themselves and squeeze their way through the door cracks or torn window screens. Close off possible entryways by sealing those gaps found along your doors, windows, and floorboards. Use sealing materials like clear caulk, door sweeps, or steel wool. If you can see daylight around your door, it’s a sign that roaches can get in.
4. Maintain Cleanliness.
Along with removing food sources, you also need to maintain cleanliness and tidiness in every nook and cranny of your home. Clean as often as possible and lessen clutter. Remove potential hiding spots in all crevices so they won’t have any room for running around.
Daily cleaning requires time and a lot of work. If your schedule doesn’t permit it, try cleaning every few days. Using a repellent can help keep them at bay. Use electronic pest repellents and put one in each of your rooms. But for areas with a high infestation, use two or more.
5. Make Your Home Inhospitable To Roaches.
The best way to eliminate roaches is to keep your place clean. You won’t see these pests in your home forever if you cut off food and water at the source. Make sure they won’t find any of it in your home.
Reduce the food source by:
- Washing dirty dishes every night (dishes provide a rich food source for roaches)
- Covering food by storing food in sealed containers
- Vacuuming and sweeping all surfaces regularly
- Take out the garbage regularly
- Reducing clutter
Here are ways to minimize water sources:
- Cover your sinks and bathtub during nighttime
- Wipe and dry out spills
- Dry your kitchen, bathroom, and all other sinks every single night
- Empty and dry pet water bowls every night
6. Try Natural Roach-Busters.
If spray-on or electronic pest repellents don’t work (or if you prefer organic solutions), try these natural and inexpensive cockroach busters as an alternative:
- Coffee grounds – As a repellent, coffee grounds (wet or dry) do a great job at keeping away pesky cockroaches. You can also use this natural remedy for repelling other pests like ants and mosquitoes.
- Soapy water – If you’re not into using roach sprays, you can also use soapy water. Spraying soapy water on roaches creates a film around their body that eventually suffocates them. Mix dish soap and warm water in a spray bottle. Remember that spraying with soapy water only kills them on the spot but will not address the root of the problem.
- Bay leaves – Roaches (and other insects, in general) are repulsed by the smell of both dry and fresh bay leaves. Simply lay out the leaves in areas where you would like pests to keep away.
- Baking powder – This is a safe and effective alternative to boric acid and borax. Mix equal parts of baking powder and sugar so you can also use it as a cockroach bait. Once eaten, the baking powder solution creates a chemical reaction in the stomach of the roach, making its body bubble and expand.
When All Else Fails, Call The Experts!
If these attempts are not drawing you closer to a roach-free home, don’t hesitate to contact a professional pest controller. They have the necessary tools and expertise to banish cockroaches from your home and prevent their return.
Mr. Pest Control offers expert pest control services not only for cockroaches but for a host of pesky pests, including ants, rodents, and raccoons. Our team can provide you with effective pest and wildlife control solutions to keep your home safe and comfortable.
Call us at (705) 739-7378 (Barrie, Midland, and Simcoe) or (705) 326-3377 (Orillia), or visit our contact page to send us an instant message.
