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If you have seen cockroaches roaming around in your house, then it isn’t a small issue that you can ignore. It is a no-brainer that everyone hates the unpleasant appearance of cockroaches, but most people forget that cockroaches can adversely affect your family’s health.
Cockroaches are carriers for millions of bacteria and infectious agents and can lead to severe diseases from food poisoning to cholera.
Pest control for cockroach has become the need of every household as cockroaches breed quickly and can hamper the hygiene of your house. No need to worry, as there are various home remedies that help you get rid of cockroaches and make your house clean and safe.
What are Cockroaches?
Cockroaches are bugs that have flat bodies and long antennas. They spread diseases and are unwanted guests in any household. Cockroaches are usually found beneath the sink, drains, corners of cupboards, and other dark areas of the house. They can even live without food for a month. It is recommended that you get rid of cockroaches as quickly as you can, as they can create chaos and infect your whole house.
Here are 12 tried and true home remedies to remove cockroaches.
Baking Soda and Sugar Trap
Baking soda is one of the most accessible household items that can help eliminate cockroaches effectively.
How it Works: Mix equal parts baking soda and sugar. The sugar attracts the roaches, and when they consume the mixture, the baking soda reacts with the acids in their stomachs, creating gas that causes them to die.
Instructions: Sprinkle the mixture in areas where cockroaches are likely to gather, such as under sinks, near trash cans, or along baseboards.
Boric Acid and Flour Bait
Boric acid has been used for decades as a reliable cockroach deterrent, but it must be used cautiously.
How it Works: When cockroaches come into contact with boric acid, it sticks to their legs and bodies. When they groom themselves, they ingest the powder, which then disrupts their digestive system.
Instructions: Mix equal parts boric acid, flour, and sugar to make a dough-like bait. Place small amounts of the bait in the areas where roaches are frequent.
Note: Keep this away from children and pets.
Diatomaceous Earth (Food Grade)
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a non-toxic powder made from fossilized aquatic organisms.
How it Works: When cockroaches crawl over DE, it damages their exoskeleton, causing them to dehydrate and die.
Instructions: Lightly dust food-grade DE in cracks, crevices, and around baseboards. Ensure you use food-grade DE, as other types may not be safe for use around pets or children.
Essential Oils Spray
Essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, and lavender are natural roach repellents. No need to worry about which pest control is best for your house because essential oils spray can also get the job done.
How it Works: Cockroaches find the strong smell of essential oils unbearable, so they tend to stay away from areas treated with these oils.
Instructions: Mix 15-20 drops of essential oil with water and a few drops of dish soap in a spray bottle. Spray in areas where cockroaches enter or tend to gather.
Bay Leaves as a Natural Repellent
Bay leaves have a strong aroma that cockroaches dislike, making them an effective, natural deterrent.
How it Works: The smell of bay leaves repels cockroaches, driving them away without harming them.
Instructions: Crush a handful of bay leaves and place them in areas where you’ve seen roach activity. Replace every few days to maintain the smell.
Vinegar and Water Cleaning Solution
Vinegar is a natural cleaning agent that can also act as a mild roach repellent when combined with essential oils.
How it Works: Cockroaches dislike the acidic smell of vinegar, especially when mixed with peppermint or eucalyptus oil.
Instructions: Mix equal parts vinegar and water, add 10-15 drops of essential oil, and use this mixture to clean countertops, floors, and other surfaces.
Lemon Juice Spray
Tired of searching Pest control for roaches near me? No need to worry, as Lemon juice can get rid of cockroaches. Lemon juice not only cleans but also deters cockroaches.
How it Works: The acidic properties and scent of lemon juice make it difficult for cockroaches to navigate.
Instructions: Mix fresh lemon juice with water and spray it along entry points, in cupboards, and around baseboards.
Coffee Grounds Trap
Used coffee grounds are a surprising yet effective cockroach attractant and can be used as part of a simple trap.
How it Works: The scent of coffee grounds attracts cockroaches. When combined with water in a trap, the roaches become trapped.
Instructions: Place wet coffee grounds in jars and fill the jars with water to about halfway. Cockroaches will enter the jar for the coffee smell but won’t be able to escape.
Garlic, Onion, and Pepper Spray
This natural mixture has a pungent smell that repels cockroaches.
How it Works: The strong aroma of garlic, onions, and pepper deters cockroaches from entering treated areas.
Instructions: Blend garlic, onion, and cayenne pepper with water, let it sit for a few hours, then strain and spray around entry points and places where cockroaches are often seen.
Soapy Water Solution
Soapy water is an easy, effective way to kill cockroaches on contact. While a soapy water solution is excellent to kill cockroaches a complete pest control in Mumbai, Delhi, or wherever you live will provide you permanent relief from cockroaches.
How it Works: Soap suffocates roaches by creating a film over their bodies that disrupts their respiratory system.
Instructions: Mix a few drops of dish soap with water in a spray bottle. Spray directly on cockroaches when you see them.
Cucumber Slices
Fresh cucumber slices act as a temporary repellent for cockroaches.
How it Works: The smell of cucumbers is repelling to roaches, making this an easy deterrent.
Instructions: Place fresh cucumber slices around your kitchen, particularly near sinks and areas where roaches may enter. Replace them frequently to maintain their scent.
Catnip Tea Spray
Catnip contains nepetalactone, a natural compound that deters cockroaches.
How it Works: Nepetalactone in catnip is a natural insect repellent that cockroaches dislike.
Instructions: Boil catnip in water, let it cool, and strain it into a spray bottle. Spray it around your home where you see cockroaches.
Note: Keep this away from pets, as it may attract cats.
Tips for Preventing Cockroach Infestations
Prevention is key to keeping cockroaches out of your home. Cockroaches breed quickly, so always focus on preventing cockroach infestations to avoid asking everyone which pest control is best for cockroaches. Here are some general tips to keep your space cockroach-free:
1. Eliminate Food Sources: Keep counters clean, store food in airtight containers, and dispose of garbage regularly.
2. Fix Leaks: Cockroaches are attracted to water, so repair any leaky pipes or faucets.
3. Seal Entry Points: Cockroaches can enter through small cracks, so seal openings around windows, doors, and plumbing.
4. Reduce Clutter: Cockroaches like to hide, so keeping your home clutter-free can help discourage them.
Conclusion
With the above 12 natural remedies, you can control and prevent cockroach infestations without resorting to harsh chemicals. Each method offers a safe, effective way to combat cockroaches while keeping your home and family safe.
Try these remedies and enjoy a cockroach-free environment!
