These Order Blattodea (Latin name) can measure over 50 mm (2 inches) in length with tropical species tending to be larger than those found in other climates. Cockroaches have six legs, two antennae and some have wings. However, most winged cockroaches are not particularly adept at flying. Cockroaches have flat, oval-shaped bodies. The bodies of cockroaches are oily to the touch and maybe cool or warm, depending on the temperature of their environment. The head of a cockroach is small and is covered by a shield-like pronotum. A cockroach’s mouth is directed down and backwards. Male cockroaches are typically smaller than females. Female specimens often tend to be larger and, in some species, the females lack wings where the males possess them. Cockroach eggs are encased in egg cases called ootheca, which is commonly oval-shaped and dark brown. Are you looking at methods on how to get rid of cockroaches? Well, enough about them, and now let’s get rid of them, shall we?
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10 Most Effective Home Remedies to Get Rid of Cockroaches
Wondering how to get rid of roaches overnight? You can try a few of the below-listed home remedies:
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 baits 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 way to get rid of roaches.
Read: How To Get Rid of Spiders at Home?
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3. Neem
Neem has been used as a desi natural remedy for a lot of things including pests over the years. Neem oil or powder contains potent components that can kill cockroaches. To use it in oil form, mix a small amount of neem oil with water in a spray bottle and spray it in places where you have spotted these pests. However, if you are using neem powder, all you need to do is sprinkle it in cockroach-infested areas at night and repeat the process in the morning. Make a paste using a handful of neem leaves and water. Now, filter the water and pour this liquid into a spray bottle. Spray the mixture in the infested areas at night. This is one of the most sought how to get rid of cockroaches home remedies.
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.
Read: How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs from Your Home
6. Fabric Softener
If you’re looking for an alternative for 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.
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?
Cockroaches 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 how to remove cockroaches from 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 dropping that can vary in size and length.
- Unusual odor: An unpleasant area in the odour is a sign of roach infestation.
- Shed skin: Another clear sign of cockroach infestation. An adult cockroach sheds its skin 4-5 ties 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 trace of horizontal brown coloured smear.
- Damage: Unsual sign of damage to food, packages and Furnitures can be tracked to roach infestation.
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.
a. 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
b. Outside
Outside, cockroaches are commonly found under decks and 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
c. 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
d. 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.
Controlling the Cockroaches in Your House
This option will likely cost you the most, but if you have a serious infestation, you should call a professional to help. Don’t try and handle it on your own. A professional pest control company can help eliminate the roach problem in your home through effective bug-killing treatments. If you have pets and children, make sure to ask for an option that is safe for little hands and paws.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Where can I find a cockroach in my house?
Ans. Cockroaches live in and adapt to a variety of environments but prefer warm conditions indoors. They tend to gather around garbage and in the kitchen.
Q. What do roaches eat?
Ans. From meat to bread, sugar to alcohol, decaying garbage, sewage, and even toothpaste, cockroaches enjoy eating it all, why is it that they find solace in our kitchens to get easy access to food spills, open food products, crumbs, and scraps in pet food bowls.
Q. What suggests a cockroach infestation?
Ans. Cockroaches are nocturnal by nature, so if you catch one roaming in your house during the day, there are chances that it was forced out of the nest due to overcrowding, which in turn suggests that you may have a roach infestation on your hands.
Q. How often should pest control be done in the house?
Ans. The frequency of your pest control service schedule should totally depend upon the instructions given to you by the company from which you are taking pest control treatment services.
However, if you are a DIY person, then the time frame in which you can get it done is usually a bi-monthly (every two months) treatment in case of normal infestation, but in more serious cases, monthly treatment may be required to get the situation better under control.
Q. What are the factors that determine pest control frequency?
Ans. Pest control frequency is determined by the following factors, including:
1. The quality of the pest control measures used;
2. The type of pest;
3. The severity of the infestation;
4. How well the points of entry were identified and plugged or repaired; and
5. How well you followed the pest control technician’s prevention advice.
