How To Get Rid Of Cockroaches Permanently?

2023 Author: Lynn Laird | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 09:49

Summer passed away not long ago and with it flies, mosquitoes and all the insects used to the heat. And even as you recently learned how to keep flies outside easily, cockroaches are succeeding them. In a previous article, we listed a lot of remedies for mosquito bites, but this time our editorial staff will try to find the most effective to remedy the "how to get rid of cockroaches" problem.

How to get rid of cockroaches? - you have to know their habits

There is no one who can not testify to (at least) a nocturnal encounter with these black or brown bugs that sneak into the home and are in principle elusive. If you have seen one, do not ignore the calamity because they live in colonies, never solitary. Namely that these intruders exist in more than 3,500 species of which the most widespread are the Germanic, oriental, American and striped cockroach.

Also called cockroach or cockroach, with an elongated and flattened body, the cockroach can penetrate even in narrow places. Thanks to the "aerodynamic" shape and the long legs, the speed it can develop reaches 130 cm / s. So, with all of these features, you have almost no chance of winning, and “how to get rid of cockroaches” becomes an obsession and torture.

Added to the almost impossibility of coping with the situation is the fact that for thousands of years cockroaches have become accustomed to contemporary living conditions and can feed on anything.

Either way, they love everything we humans hate, including darkness and humidity. So, it makes sense that rooms like the kitchen and the bathroom are the favorite havens of intruders. In addition, they are attracted to the smell of food. Their reproduction is favored by the fact that the females emit a substance which serves as a magnet for the male specimens.

What food do cockroaches prefer?

Suppose you get up during the night, either to nibble something out of the fridge, or to go wee and of course! plague! A whole cavalry that sneaks under the pipes and the shower cubicle. Since it's worse on the counter, cupboard, or floor, you want to know how to get rid of cockroaches fast and efficiently. In addition, these pests can contaminate food, transmit dangerous bacteria and, worst of all, survive even the best-intentioned eradication attempts. That's why you need to go to an entomologist and a pesticide applicator to find the fastest and most effective way to keep intruders away. Otherwise, you and your family are at risk of enteric disease.

How to go about it during this unequal struggle?

Whether you're tackling a sneaky pest or an entire army of cockroaches, follow our relevant tips to stop even the most stubborn infestations.

Few things are more frustrating than a cockroach calamity. These persistent pests will feel at home in your kitchen, bathroom, and other living spaces when they are foraging for food. Unfortunately, they multiply quickly, intensifying the problem. If you're tired of sharing your home with these squeaky critters, let's see how to get rid of cockroaches! Zoom in on some landmarks!

Where to look for cockroaches?

Regardless of the type of pest - whether it is killing ants, termites, or rodents - they are most likely looking for the easy-to-find food and water sources in a home. Cockroaches, in particular, are attracted to hot and humid climates and are generally attracted to:

• dirty dishes in the sink
• crumbs on the floor or counters
• garbage
• pet food on the ground
• excess humidity
• leftover food in empty cans or containers

How do cockroaches get into your home?

Arguably, the most common type of passages through which sneaky pests enter your home are cracks and crevices, holes in vents and pipes. So, to block their way, we must repair the problematic places or completely renovate the plumbing by properly plugging the cavities. Even if you are a good housewife, remove dust in the nooks and crannies more frequently, as dirt is a good environment for cockroaches to accumulate.

So that there isn't a single reason to attract them, be sure to do the following:

• Don't leave dishes piled up in the sink, wash them after meals, wipe dry and store on shelves and cupboards
• Immediately clean up any crumbs scattered on the table
• Take out the trash before going to bed
• Remove the grease from the top of the stove
• Seal foods in containers
• Put the bread in a box
• Avoid stacking newspapers and cardboard boxes in the room (their favorite breeding places)
• Less clutter in the house, less hiding places for intruders
• Inspect regularly for water leaks
• Install a pet food dispenser and remove from the ground as soon as your pet is full.

What traps and baits to buy in specialized stores?

Apparently, an effective method of eliminating cockroaches is the type of trap found in supermarkets or home improvement stores. This device uses a scent or other bait to attract cockroaches. When they build up on the bait, they get caught in a sticky substance, effectively trapped inside. It may take up to two weeks to see results, so check the traps periodically.

Surely, another common way to get rid of cockroaches is to use store-bought baits. As the chemical bait disguises the insecticide as a food source, cockroaches ingest it and having returned to their nests, they die. Other cockroaches eat them, spreading the poison throughout the rest of the nest. Place chemical baits near garbage cans and under sinks and cabinets in kitchens and bathrooms.

Liquid concentrates to be sprayed into the holes

As long as you find a liquid concentrate available in stores, be aware that after diluting it according to the instructions, you should quickly spray it into cracks and crevices and other areas where cockroaches like to hide. You can also clean the floor and wipe down the countertops with the solution.

The effect of boric acid

Provided that boric acid is one of the best home remedies for cockroaches, if you want, take a DIY approach.

1. Mix equal amounts of boric acid, flour and sugar to make a paste.
2. Place balls of this dough anywhere in the house where cockroaches can eat it. As a result, attracted to flour and sugar cockroaches will swallow boric acid, which will kill them.
3. Simply place the dough where you know the cockroaches are roaming around or under your fridge, stove, and the backs of cabinets and drawers.

On the other hand, keep in mind that boric acid will kill cockroaches which will then become food for other cockroaches. While it is certainly effective, boric acid can be extremely dangerous for pets. If you have a four-legged friend in the house, don't try this at home.

Pro tip: call a licensed exterminator to get rid of cockroaches permanently

It is true that cockroaches are persistent creatures - even following all the tips for cleaning and preparing ways, you can still have an infestation. If you've tried these proven tips and it didn't help, you probably need a professional pest control exterminator to treat your home.

Important note: Do-it-yourself solutions are not a guarantee of functionality, especially against cockroaches which can breed and multiply quickly.

On the one hand, the pro knows well the habits and peculiarities of cockroaches. On the other hand, he is trained to do it effectively. What you don't see will be child's play for the professional.

For example, cockroaches enter houses by crawling under doors and cracks. You may not even notice the access areas as they can be difficult to see, but a professional should be able to identify the points of penetration. Problem areas include along the house and roof foundation, window and door cracks, attic and crawl space vents, holes used for electrical cables, gas and plumbing pipes.

We recommend that you inspect these areas at least once a year and if you notice any cracks seal them immediately.

Methods to get rid of cockroaches naturally

Since cockroaches are ubiquitous, you can use caulk to seal the little ones, while steel wool and moss are best for filling large spaces, especially around pipes. For larger openings around chimneys or attic vents, you can use a thin wire mesh to create a barrier.

Among the natural products to try in the fight with cockroaches, we rely on diatomaceous earth: a very effective and omnipotent insecticide. Either against bugs, fleas, ants, this natural product is composed of amorphous silica and crystallized silica, non-toxic for humans and animals. Therefore, to prefer indoors and also outdoors in the garden. While hunting for cockroaches, it is very important not to crush them, as their eggs spread quickly.

Thanks to a smell (that of white vinegar), stronger than theirs, cockroaches are dissuaded and retreat. It is necessary to spray their paths (baseboards, recesses, hollows under furniture, behind the refrigerator and other appliances) with white vinegar to be quiet for a period of a few days. To repeat after!

Can we know if there are cockroaches in your home even without seeing them?

Of course, there are several signs of the presence of critters in your home:

1. Tiny and black in color, cockroach droppings resemble ground coffee.
2. Dry cockroach bodies here and there.
3. Black marks on the walls
4. Eggs and larvae cocoons
5. Paper or packaging, even books with holes
6. Unusual odor

Finally, be vigilant and act quickly in the event of a cockroach infestation! Find an optimal way to often clean the house, for example, the famous Flylady method which is not at all stressful.