10 Best ways to get rid of cockroaches: Natural and Professional Solutions 2025

To get rid of cockroaches, a mix of natural and commercial methods is really effective. Some of the best ways to get rid of cockroaches include using baking soda and sugar baits, peppermint oil sprays, neem powder or boric acid paste. These home remedies are cheap and are generally under ₹300. Store-bought options like sprays or gel baits range from ₹150 to ₹500, depending on brands. Keeping your home clean, sealing cracks, and fixing the leaks are some of the ways on how to eliminate cockroaches. Try to avoid food crumbs, cover drains, and empty the bins daily, but still the infection persists, then it is advisable to do pest control, which costs ₹800 to ₹2000, depending on the area and how serious it is. Combining home remedies with hygiene practices ensures a roach-free and safe environment for the house. 

Best Home Remedies for Cockroach Control - Quick Information

Discover effective home remedies for cockroaches using simple ingredients like baking soda, bay leaves and neem. These natural solutions are safe, affordable and help to control cockroaches quickly. Below are a few remedies to check: 

Method	Ingredients	Best For	Notes
Boric Acid + Egg Yolk	Boric acid, egg yolk	Kitchen, sink cabinets	Keep away from pets
Baking Soda + Sugar	Baking soda, sugar	Any hidden corners	Works overnight
Neem Oil Spray	Neem oil, water	Bedroom, dark areas	Safe and natural
Peppermint Oil	Peppermint oil, water	General use	Effective natural repellent
Bay Leaves	Dried bay leaves	Wardrobes, drawers	Repels, doesn't kill
Diatomaceous Earth	Food-grade powder	Behind appliances	Avoid wet areas
Coffee Grounds Trap	Coffee, water, jar	Kitchen drains	Traps and drowns roaches
Fabric Softener Spray	Softener, water	Direct kill	Temporary and contact-based
Onion + Pepper + Garlic Mix	Onion paste, pepper, garlic	Infested kitchen spots	Smell repels cockroaches
Pine-Sol + Bleach	Pine-Sol, bleach, water	Bathrooms, trash zones	Chemical mix, use with caution
Cucumber + Tin Jar	Sliced cucumber	Pantry, cabinets	Smell repels roaches
Lemon Peels or Juice	Lemon juice	Sinks, counters	Natural disinfectant + repellent
Alcohol Spray	Isopropyl alcohol	Visible roaches	Kills on contact
Camphor Bowls	Camphor, water	Bedrooms	Long-lasting repellent
Citronella Oil Spray	Citronella, water	Entry points	Strong aroma, eco-safe

 Best Home Remedies to Get Rid of  Cockroaches - overview

Remedy	How It Works
Boric Acid	Acts as a poison for cockroaches, damaging their digestive system. Sprinkle in corners and behind appliances.
Baking Soda	Mix with sugar to attract and kill roaches when they ingest it.
Neem	Natural insecticide. Leaves or neem oil repel and kill cockroaches.
Peppermint Oil	Strong scent repels cockroaches; mix with water and spray in infested areas.
Bay Leaves	Place in cupboards and corners to naturally deter roaches
Fabric Softener	Mix with water and spray to kill roaches instantly on contact.
Silica Aerogel and Sugar	Sugar attracts roaches, silica absorbs moisture and kills them naturally.
Pepper, Onion, And Garlic	Boil together and spray in corners; strong odour drives roaches away.
Pine-Solution and Bleach	Mix and clean surfaces; kills roaches and prevents infestations.
Cucumber	Peels act as a natural cockroach deterrent when placed in kitchen corners.

10 Most Effective Home Remedies to Get Rid of Cockroaches

Wondering how to get rid of cockroaches naturally? These 10 effective home remedies use common ingredients to keep your house pest-free. Below are a few effective ways which are safe, simple and effective for quick cockroach control. 

1. Boric Acid

Boric acid is believed to be one of the best home remedies for cockroaches. For best results, dust a little bit of this powder in corners and floors and let it sit while roaches come in contact with it and die. Boric acid is not effective when it is wet. A word of caution - this powder is poisonous and should be kept out of reach of children and pets at all times.

2. Baking Soda

This method is a classic example of the fish and bait technique. A concoction of baking soda and sugar is an effective way to control the multiplication of these pests. Sugar acts as bait to attract cockroaches, and the baking soda will kill them. You just need to identify their hideouts and sprinkle this mixture in those corners. This is one of the best ways to get rid of roaches.

3. Neem

Neem is a powerful natural remedy for cockroach control. Mix neem oil with water and spray it in infested areas. You can also sprinkle neem powder or spray neem leaf water paste at night for effective results. It is one of the best ways to get rid of cockroaches at home. 

4. Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil is one of the most effective essential oils for keeping cockroaches at bay. Make a mixture of saltwater and peppermint oil and spray it on the infested areas at home. You will notice a difference after continuous application. 

5. Bay Leaves

Crush some bay leaves and sprinkle them in your cupboards or where you spot them often. Alternatively, you can boil some leaves and spray the water in infected corners. This desi tactic should keep them at bay. One of the easiest how to get rid of cockroaches forever home remedies is known to get rid of cockroaches effectively.

6. Fabric Softener

If you’re looking for an alternative to market repellents, then try mixing fabric softener with water and store it in a spray bottle. Whenever you spot a cockroach, spray this mixture on it directly and watch it die. But, this might not be the best solution for a large-scale infestation.

7. Silica Aerogel and Sugar

Silica aerogel is an effective ingredient to get rid of cockroaches. Mix silica aerogel and sugar in a 3:1 ratio. Sprinkle this mix around the cockroach-infested places. Repeat the process for the best results.

8. Pepper, Onion, And Garlic

Prepare a solution of pepper powder, onion paste, and garlic, and then mix it in one litre of water. Sprinkle the solution around the infested places. The smell of the mixture will keep them away.

9. Pine-sol and Bleach

Boil these two ingredients in water and pour the mixture into the infested areas. This can be a very effective chemical-free way to drive cockroaches away from your home.

10. Cucumber

Keep a few slices of cucumber in a tin jar and leave it as it is. The reaction between cucumber and tin jars can emit a smell that cockroaches do not like.

Preventive Measures Against Cockroaches

Preventing cockroach infestations is easier than eliminating them. Maintain a clean, dry home, seal entry points, and store food properly to control cockroaches and protect your family’s health naturally.

Preventive Measure	How It Helps
Maintain Cleanliness	Removes food crumbs and waste that attract cockroaches.
Seal Cracks and Gaps	Blocks entry points and prevents new infestations.
Store Food in Airtight Containers	Keeps food inaccessible to pests.
Dispose of Garbage Regularly	Eliminates breeding grounds for cockroaches.
Keep Surfaces Dry	Cockroaches thrive in moisture; dryness deters them.
Reduce Clutter	Limit hiding spots for cockroaches in storage areas.
Regular Monitoring	Early detection prevents large infestations.

What Attracts Cockroaches to a Clean Home?

Many people believe that keeping the surfaces of your house clean will help you avoid a cockroach infestation. However, cockroaches can even be found infesting a clean surface. There are a lot of reasons that make an area suitable for roaches. A humid, moist environment is a typical area where we can see cockroaches. If you are looking at home remedies on how to get rid of cockroaches forever, the first step is to know what attracted these roaches to your house in the first place. Here are some of the most common factors that aid cockroach infestation in a clean house:

• Food
• Shelter
• Water
• Warmth

These 4 factors are very necessary for roaches. Food waste lying around, uncleaned dishes, leaky faucets and pipes attract cockroaches in a clean house. To avoid cockroach infestation in your home, make sure you read our complete guide on how to get rid of cockroaches at home.

How to Check for Cockroaches in your Home?

ockroaches are very adaptable and can survive in any kind of climate and environment. So, once an area is infested by roaches, it's pretty tough to get rid of them on their own. Cockroaches can survive on all kinds of foods, and over-the-counter sprays and pesticides aren't very effective if you are looking for ways to remove cockroaches from your home forever. An important step before you try any of the home remedies is to check your home for roaches. It can be easily found out if your home has a cockroach infestation. Check for these signs:

• Egg capsules: One of the easiest ways to spot cockroach infestation in a home. Roaches leave behind a capsulated egg.
• Cockroach droppings: Cockroaches leave a black-coloured dust of droppings that can vary in size and length.
• Unusual odor: An unpleasant area in odour is a sign of roach infestation.
• Shed skin: Another clear sign of cockroach infestation. An adult cockroach sheds its skin 4-5 times a day as it matures. This can be tracked to find where the roaches are sheltering.
• Smear marks: In areas with abundant humidity and moisture, roaches leave behind a trace of horizontal brown coloured smear.
• Damage: Unusual signs of damage to food, packages, and furniture can be tracked to a roach infestation.

How to Remove Cockroaches From Home?

Cockroaches are the most dreaded pests that create an unsanitary environment in our home and kitchen. It’s not easy to maintain hygiene with cockroaches roaming around. To get rid of these, you don't need harsh chemicals; your everyday kitchen essentials can do the job easily. Here’s a curated list that works effectively with no extra effort and time put: 

1. Apply natural remedies: Use boric acid, baking soda, neem, or peppermint oil in corners, behind appliances, and along walls.
2. Set bait traps: Place traps in dark, hidden areas where cockroaches frequent.
3. Seal entry points: Close cracks, gaps, and crevices to block new pests.
4. Maintain cleanliness: Keep kitchens, bathrooms, and storage areas clean, dry, and clutter-free.
5. Regular monitoring: Check high-risk areas for eggs, droppings, or live cockroaches and repeat treatments weekly.

How to get rid of cockroaches from the kitchen?

Cockroaches in the kitchen are unhygienic and hard to ignore. Here are simple and effective tips on how to get rid of cockroaches in the kitchen permanently. 

• Keep the kitchen clean by wiping the kitchen counter, washing dishes, and removing crumbs to eliminate food sources for cockroaches.
• Seal cracks and entry points around the kitchen to prevent cockroaches from entering.
• Store food in an airtight container and avoid leaving the leftovers uncovered to keep cockroaches from coming.
• Use baking soda and sugar bait near the kitchen hiding spot to kill them naturally.
• Spray a mix of neem oil and water in corners and under the sink to repel cockroaches.
• Place bay leaves in cabinets and drawers, as they have a strong smell and can drive cockroaches away.
• Use gel baits or roach traps available in the store for long-term kitchen cockroach control.
• Call pest control service if the infestation persists for permanent elimination.

Where Do Cockroaches Live in Homes?

A cockroach is a resourceful pest and is able to survive almost anywhere that food, water, and shelter are available. Because humans have similar needs, it’s no fluke that the pests thrive in houses.

1. Inside

Trash or lawn clippings that collect too close to homes may lure the insects indoors. Because they prefer to be close to food and water, these pests can often and quickly move into kitchens and bathrooms, preferring to hide in:

• Cabinets under sinks
• Inside or under garbage cans
• Near food prep areas
• Porous surfaces like wood and cardboard

2. Outside

Outside, cockroaches are commonly found under decks and in places where plumbing and sewer leaks are found, as well as in or around:

• Brush
• Crawl spaces
• Dumpsters & Garbage Cans
• Fallen logs
• Leaf litter
• Mulch
• Storage sheds

3. Where to Check for Cockroaches

To spot an infestation early, search common places where cockroaches live, including:

• Around food prep areas
• Inside cabinets under sinks
• Within or underneath garbage cans
• In dark, cool spaces like cellars

4. Cockroach Control

• Prevention: To avoid problems with these pests, sanitation is key. Target areas where cockroaches live, such as under appliances and in cabinets, for regular cleaning. Crumbs and dirty dishes also attract pests. Limit issues by dealing with messes promptly and sealing pantry goods in airtight jars.
• Removal: There are many pesticides and baits for cockroaches, but these chemicals may not be safe or effective for inexperienced users. Experts can do a thorough inspection to find the places where cockroaches live and stop them at the source. For easy and reliable removal, contact suitable services.

How Are Cockroaches Harmful to Humans?

It’s commonly known that rodents and mosquitoes carry disease, but cockroaches are equally dangerous in this regard not to mention they don’t smell great as they use cuticular hydrocarbons to communicate. Roaches can carry bacteria and viruses on their bodies and spread disease via their droppings. Some of these diseases include:

• Cholera
• Dysentery
• Salmonellosis
• E. Coli
• Leprosy
• Plague

Although cockroaches won’t directly contaminate you with a disease, a population of roaches—particularly roaches that come in contact with bacteria from sewers, latrines, or drains—can quickly contaminate large swaths of your house or business. This is problematic because they don’t even need to be in sight for their diseases to reach you.

When to call a Professional Cleaner?

Some stains, pests or deep cleaning tasks are too tough to handle alone. This is the time when you need to call a professional cleaner because they use tools and high-quality cleaning products to clean. Below are a few reasons as to why you need it:

• Call professionals like NoBroker when cockroaches and pest infestation spread because they offer expert pest control services. 
• When there are stubborn stains and grease, you need an expert to clean them
• During home shifting or rental handovers, you need deep cleaning, and NoBroker helps you with this.
• If cockroaches keep returning even after using all the house remedies, call the NoBroker expert to get the pest control done.

How NoBroker Can Help?

 A clean, dry and clutter-free house is the key to keeping the cockroaches away. Regular cleaning, sealing entry points can reduce the chances of returning. Still struggling with a cockroach infestation? Let NoBroker handle the creepy-crawlies for you! Our professional pest control services can eliminate roaches effectively, keeping your home safe and hygienic. We use advanced treatments that are safe for children and pets, ensuring a pest-free environment without compromising your family’s health.

Frequently Asked Questions