Cockroaches are nasty. They thrive in filthy, unhygienic conditions and can spread that filth around your property. Cockroach infestations are not only disgusting; they are also potentially dangerous, because of the diseases these pests may bring into your home. But thankfully, there are some home remedies for getting rid of cockroaches.
Why you should use home remedies for cockroaches
There are a lot of ways to get rid of cockroaches, and hiring a professional pest controller is probably the best way. But most of these ways deal with chemicals that can be harmful to you, your family, and your pets.
The great thing about home remedies is that they are generally safer. They are also more accessible because most of them can already be found in your kitchen.
The difference between cockroach killers and cockroach repellents
Home remedies can kill or repel cockroaches. Cockroach killers and cockroach repellents are different. Cockroach killers are great at killing the cockroaches on your property. On the other hand, cockroach repellents don’t really kill cockroaches but repel those that are outside of your property. Basically, cockroach killers can get rid of cockroach infestations while cockroach repellents are great at preventing them.
Use either a cockroach killer or a repellent, depending on your needs.
Home remedies for cockroaches
Cockroach killers
1. Baking soda
Baking soda and water form a reaction inside a cockroach’s stomach. Their stomachs end up exploding and they die in the process.
Get rid of the cockroaches in your home by baiting them to eat baking soda. The cockroaches will eventually drink some water and trigger the reaction. Cockroaches are cannibalistic, so they will eat their fallen comrades. This is a good thing because it will create a chain reaction and the baking soda and water will kill a lot of the pests.
Simply mix baking soda and sugar in no specific ratio. Sprinkle the mixture on areas with high cockroach activity, such as in cabinets or areas below the sink.
2. Boric acid
Boric acid is another great home remedy, not just for cockroaches, but for a variety of pests. But remember that boric acid can be toxic to you and your pets. If you choose this home remedy, make sure you put it on spots where people and animals won’t be able to make contact with it, even just accidentally. Be particularly mindful of children and unsupervised pets.
Boric acid works the same way as baking soda. Simply mix it with sugar and sprinkle the mixture on areas with high cockroach activity. You can even add coffee to the mixture to make it more attractive and aromatic for the pests.
3. Diatomaceous earth
Diatomaceous earth is damaging to a cockroach’s exoskeleton. It dries out the cockroach’s body and basically dehydrates it to death. Using diatomaceous earth against cockroaches is simple enough. You just have to sprinkle it on spots where cockroaches can crawl over it. But this can be a little tricky.
Make sure that the spots where you sprinkle the diatomaceous earth are dry. It won’t be effective if the areas are wet. Also, make sure that you don’t sprinkle a generous amount. Cockroaches may not crawl over mounds of the stuff. Sprinkle the diatomaceous earth lightly across surfaces. Mix it with sugar to attract cockroaches craving for sweets.
Another great thing about diatomaceous earth is the fact that it’s not as dangerous as other options like boric acid. But use a food-grade version to still be on the safer side.
Cockroach repellents
1. Bay leaf
Bay leaves are great against cockroaches because the pests don’t like their smell. Cockroaches particularly don’t like eucalyptol. You can use bay leaves as a natural cockroach repellent on their own or infused in water.
If you want to infuse them in water, simply put bay leaves in a pot of water and let them boil for about 10 minutes. Let the solution cool down and seep the bay leaves. Once the solution has cooled down, pour it inside a spray bottle and spray it around your property.
2. Cinnamon
Cockroaches don’t like the strong smell of cinnamon. The good thing about cinnamon is that it’s very versatile as a cockroach repellent. You can use it in any form you want, like cinnamon sticks, cinnamon powder, and even cinnamon essential oil. Simply spread the cinnamon on the parts of your home where you don’t want the cockroaches to thrive.
3. Essential oils
Essential oils are great against cockroaches because of their overpowering smell. Cockroaches simply can’t stand their smell, especially cypress, lavender, and peppermint essential oils. If you can find bay leaf or cinnamon essential oils, that would be great too.
But essential oils are sometimes overpowering even for you, your family, and your pets. Dilute them in water before spraying them around your property to weaken the scents a bit.
Other ways to get rid of cockroaches
Home remedies are not magic solutions to all cockroach problems. They have downsides too. They are not as potent compared to insecticides that are specifically designed to get rid of cockroaches. Home remedies may suffice for minor infestations, but their potency may prove to be ineffective against more severe infestations.
In these cases, it’s best to ditch home remedies and use other methods to get rid of the cockroaches. Here are other methods you can try.
1. Call a pest control professional
Professional pest controllers are armed with experience, knowledge, and materials to effectively solve your cockroach problem. They are great, especially if you don’t want to be too hands-on. Cockroaches can be very disgusting after all.
2. Use insecticides
You can always just buy insecticides on the market. It will save you a lot of reading from all the home remedy articles you can find online. But make sure to always follow the instructions on the labels. If you don’t, insecticides can be both dangerous and ineffective. Also, make sure that the insecticides you are buying are specifically formulated for cockroaches.
3. Clean up
All your efforts of getting rid of cockroaches can go to waste if you don’t complement them with cleaning. Cockroaches can thrive in damp, dark, and unsanitary places. They can also thrive in areas with a lot of food and water. Make sure your home is clean and your food and water products are not accessible to prevent cockroaches from thriving.