Cockroaches are some of the most common and resilient household pests. They are up there with bed bugs, rats, and termites. This is why many people ask, “does it take long to get rid of cockroaches?” It depends on a variety of factors. It can take a few days or several months.
When getting rid of cockroaches you need to consider…
1. The severity of the cockroach infestation
Minor infestations that have only a handful of cockroaches that are not yet established in the area can be eliminated in a few days. Moderate infestations that have several cockroaches that are already established in multiple rooms can take multiple weeks. And severe infestations that show abundant cockroach activity in multiple rooms can take several months. The number of cockroaches is not the only factor that determines the severity of the infestation. The natural pesticide resistance of the cockroaches present is also a factor.
2. Treatment method — can influence how long it takes to get rid of cockroaches
There are many pest control methods for cockroaches. You can buy commercial products like pesticides. But you can also use DIY methods like home remedies and natural solutions. And of course, using commercial products will be much more effective. Home remedies and natural solutions do work. But their effectiveness can only go so far, especially against severe infestations.
3. Type of cockroaches present — an often overlooked factor in getting rid of cockroaches
There are more than 4,000 species of cockroaches in the world. However, as a person who lives in cities and towns, you don’t really encounter most of them. There are only a handful of cockroaches that infest human homes. But even then, there are still varying degrees of resistance levels to pesticides among them. They also have varying habits that can make them difficult to eliminate. The American cockroach, for instance, is very good at hiding in damp and hard-to-reach areas. And the German cockroach has an incredible reproduction rate.
Different pest control methods for cockroaches
- Pest control professionals. The surefire way to get rid of cockroaches is by calling pest control professionals. Here’s the entire process. They assess the severity of the infestation first. And then they propose a treatment method and the number of treatment sessions. They then apply the treatment and even do follow-ups when necessary. But remember, even though they are professionals, they can’t magically get rid of cockroaches immediately. Even with their expertise, it may still take a while to completely get rid of infestations.
- Commercial products such as baits and bug sprays. Pest control professionals use a variety of baits, bug sprays, and traps to get rid of cockroach infestations. And thankfully, many of these products are commercially available even for amateurs who just want to get rid of the problem themselves. You may see more immediate results with bug sprays. But baits are still great because some of them can help get rid of cockroach eggs that bug sprays can’t affect. And traps are also still great because they are not as toxic as baits and bug sprays.
- Home and natural remedies. Most commercial cockroach control products attack the nervous system of the cockroaches, eventually killing them. Home remedies are sometimes more brutal. For example, baking soda can cause the stomachs of cockroaches to explode. And diatomaceous earth can cause their exoskeletons to dry out. But be careful in using home remedies. Some of them are not really effective, and maybe they are the reason why you are searching for how long it takes to get rid of cockroach infestations. You may not be seeing results. Look at bleach, for instance. It’s not just very effective. It can also damage your skin.
What to do after pest control
- Get a feel of cockroach populations. After hiring pest control professionals or applying treatments yourself, the first thing you should do is to get a feel of the cockroach population. Most of the cockroaches will die within the first week. You know that cockroaches are already dying when you see a significant reduction in their numbers after this time has passed. You may also see fewer signs of the infestation, such as cockroach eggs and musky odors. If you don’t see a significant difference after this time, follow up with your pest control professional or read the instructions in the packaging of the pest control product you have used to see if you actually followed them diligently.
- Seal potential hiding spots and passageways. Cockroaches can squeeze through the tiniest cracks, gaps, and holes around your home. They can use these as hiding spots and passageways. Seal them immediately to give cockroaches less room to operate. You may find these mostly in walls, and in the corners and edges of ceilings, floors, doors, and windows. Cockroaches also like to hide in clutter, such as old magazine piles and shoe boxes. Throw them away. These steps will not just make the pest control method of your choice more effective. They may also help prevent future cockroach infestations.
- Keep your home clean. You can have cockroaches even in a clean home. This is because cockroaches are not picky eaters. They will eat everything organic, including hair and grease, especially if food is scarce. But if you don’t even clean your home, you are not giving yourself any chances in getting rid of an active infestation. Clean up immediately after eating and throw away clutter.
Calling pest control professionals is your best bet
There is no clear-cut answer to the question “how long does it take to get rid of cockroaches?” It will depend on a variety of factors, such as the severity of the infestation, the pest control method used, and the habits and pesticide resistance levels of the cockroaches present. The range can be between a few days to several months.
If you are suffering from a cockroach infestation and you are not sure how long it will take to get rid of it, your best bet will be to consult pest control professionals. They can assess your specific case, recommend a pest control method suited for it, and execute their treatment plan expertly.