How To Get Rid Of Roaches: Cockroach Removal 101
The cockroach is one of the most annoying yet common household disturbances in the world. Knowing how to get rid of roaches is important for any homeowner no matter where you reside. They look for food, shelter, and water supply, which even causes cockroaches in a clean house. There are a few different kinds of cockroaches that invade homes, so being aware the type of roaches will help you to get rid of them sooner.
Cockroaches
The most common types of roaches around the world are the German cockroach, Oriental cockroach, and the American cockroach. While the German cockroaches are found everywhere, it’s the American cockroaches which are the largest and the most nimble as they scamper across the floor and make us shudder at the very sight of it. There are several ways to free your house of cockroaches. For example, German roaches are mostly inclined towards damp spaces and moisture prone areas, so you’d normally find them around your kitchen sink or bathroom. A simple tactic to rid of them is keeping these areas free from excess water or moisture.
German Cockroach
Cockroaches take shelter in homes in search of food and water. It does not take long for them to multiply quickly once they have infested an area. Infestation not only makes the house unhygienic but can bring about several diseases to those living there. You don’t want your children growing up with cockroaches as pets, do you? If not, the following is a list of ways on how to get rid of roaches invading your space.
9 Practices To Get Rid Of Roaches In Your Home Or Business
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Spot out the problem regions
In order to remove the problem of infestation, you need to first identify the areas which have been taken over by these insects. Unless you seek out the spots which are being used by these enemies, how on earth would you get rid of them?
Unless you plan to just kill it when you see it! Search for cockroach habitations under the refrigerator, behind closet spaces, door corners, kitchen cabinets and cupboards; mark those spots with chalk especially in high-traffic prone areas and map out an extermination plan for them. Closely monitor these areas for a few days and decide the spots which require the most effective treatments.
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Hygienic Environment
Hygiene and sanitation in your home are the foremost techniques to keep a cockroach infestation at bay. Cockroaches are mostly attracted to areas which have been unkempt and untidy for a long while and prefer to reside in such spaces. Not only should you keep the insides of your house clean, but make sure to keep the surroundings of your house clear.
Cockroach infestation. By Rachel So – Flickr: Audubon Insectarium, CC BY-SA 2.0,
Eliminate leftover food remnants. Keep your kitchen appliances clean from dirt and grease. Store your food in properly sealed containers. Cabinets and cupboards should be relieved of food crumbs and spills. Lastly, empty your garbage bins through proper waste disposal methods. Also, keep in mind to fix all leaky faucets and taps to keep moisture-free areas in your houses. Nevertheless, once you make sure to keep your house spanking clean, it would help prevent the admittance of such nuisance.
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Eliminate covert spaces
Cockroaches love to take refuge in dark, crummy spaces since such places are devoid of any kind of sunlight or exposure and that makes it the perfect spot for them to reside.
To avoid this, seal all small cracks and crevices and other tiny hiding spots, stuff copper mesh in the holes surrounding the pipes and fixtures in your kitchen sink or wash basin because these serve as the entry spots for roaches.
Avoid leaving open cracks or openings in your window sills and door frames which could be a nice place of harbor. Ensure to tape all those regions which are not used frequently to avoid creating a haven for these creatures.
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Use of sprays and liquids
The most obvious and common form of cockroach repellents would be the use of cockroach spray. Cockroach sprays are easily available in the market and are frequently used to arrive at a quick solution. Measure and creature a careful mixture of concentrated spray or simply buy a cockroach repellent spray and make use of it generously.
Use cockroach repellent spray to get rid of roaches
Pay special attention to counter-tops, kitchen cabinets, washbasin holes and pipes, bathroom crevices and many other such spots. Since sprays consist of harmful chemicals and insecticides, keep out of reach of children and pets and make sure to wash your hands after spraying. Next morning, Voila! All your problems are over.
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Au natural cockroach bait
Not many people are aware of this antidote, but you could make your own harmless cockroach bait to take care of cockroach infestation in your house. Mix three parts of boric acid with one part of powdered sugar and spread it generously across all the identified spaces of heavy infestation.
Boric acid is a natural mosquito repellent
While boric acid is harmless to humans or pets, its pungent smell could be disturbing so make sure you spread it on those surfaces which are out of reach of children and our beloved four-legged beings.
Powdered sugar lures the cockroaches towards the mixture since they are fond of sugary substances and as soon as they consume it, the boric acid kills them. This is a great technique to use for pest removal if you are not fond of using chemicals.
NOTE: Boric Acid is toxic if consumed by mouth hence keep away from children and pets.
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Call in the professionals
In situations of heavy infestation, something which is way beyond your control, it’s wise to seek help from the experts. Pest control companies know how to get rid of roaches efficiently, while you just sit back and relax! However, if you are specifically looking for a pest solution which avoids the use of strong chemicals, be on the lookout for natural pest control companies who will use organic substances such as diatomaceous earth.
This particular substance is completely harmless for humans and can be sprinkled in high cockroach traffic areas. The small particles present in this material cuts the exoskeleton of the cockroaches and kills the insect within 48 hours. Pest control companies are increasingly using diatomaceous earth for people who are apprehensive about chemical usage.
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Catnip
Unusually strange, right? Yes, my friends, Catnip can also be used as a very powerful tool of cockroach extermination. It serves as a natural repellent for cockroaches because of the active ingredient nepetalactone, which is completely non-toxic to humans or pets. Buy small sachets of catnip and spread it considerably in the cockroach-infested areas and wait for them to do their magic! You can also simmer small quantities of catnip in water, bring it to a boil and pour it into a spraying can and spray it generously across dashboards and kitchen counters to arrest the problem of cockroaches. Self-explanatory as it is, avoids using catnips in the presence of cats!
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Soap Water
Keep some soapy water handy and pour it into a spraying can whilst you apply it liberally to all your kitchen cabinets and counters to prevent the entry of cockroaches.
Moreover, once soap water comes in contact with the cockroaches, it forms a layer over the skin on the cockroaches and like most insects who breathe through their skin, soapy water essentially suffocates them and kills them. This is a great Do-It-Yourself (DIY) technique to get rid of cockroaches from your house.
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Keep your place cool and dry-
Cockroaches tend to breed more often in areas which are humid, hot and moisture-laden. Agreed, you cannot adjust the temperature outside, you can use all means necessary to keep your apartment or house cool and dry to avoid the multiplication of cockroaches. Keep this mind because, of course, you wouldn’t want a family of cockroaches keeping you company now, would you?!
So now that you know all the tips and tricks for how to get rid of roaches, get going and make your home cockroach free again! If you need an exterminator near you to handle the job, click here to find an exterminator near me.
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