Have you discovered that you are sharing your room or your home with highly infectious, disease-causing insects?
Cockroaches are annoying! Not just annoying, they are disgusting to be witnessed in any household. But more than a discomfort to the eyes, they could be the reason behind some major health issues your family might face.
And they are excellent at hiding, so it is difficult to get rid of them.
They are mostly found in wet, humid and warm places, and they like to hide away in corners. So, basically, they nest in water pipelines and kitchen corners. They can easily be trapped with anything that is sweet, for sweetness is their weakness.
Even something that has a strong, sweet smell is just enough to trap them. However, the right strategy is even more important, as they are good at escaping, too.
Numerous options available in the market promise to help relieve you of your common household trouble, but they are rarely of any great help. Plus, they are toxic, which may pose health threats to your loved ones.
So, are you confused about how to get rid of roaches permanently? Before you go for those chemical exterminators, try out these natural and safe remedies that are even more effective at solving your problem.
There are many natural and readily available ingredients in your kitchen that act as repellents and will help you get rid of roaches without putting your family at risk of toxicity.
Here are four home remedies to help you get rid of roaches fast in your home without an exterminator.
Contents
Method 1: Using Borax
A. Borax, Sugar and Flour
Things you’ll need:
- Borax powder – 3 parts
- Refined flour – 3 parts
- Powdered sugar – 1 part
Step 1. Put 3 parts of boric acid in a bowl
Borax is a good ‘at home’ option to control and prevent the growth of roaches and other insects in your premises.
Borax dehydrates the pests’ exoskeleton and damages their digestive system, thus leading to their death.
Step 2. Add 3 parts refined flour and 1 part powdered sugar
For increased effectiveness, borax should be used along with sugar. Sugar helps attract the roaches to the borax.
Step 3. Mix and spread
- Mix the ingredients and spread this mixture along places where roaches are usually spotted.
Borax may be poisonous, so it is recommended to wear gloves while preparing and spreading the mixture. Wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
The next morning, you will see many dead roaches along these lines, which you now need to discard.
Repeat for a few days.
B. Borax and Cocoa Powder
Things you’ll need:
- Borax – 1 part
- Refined flour – 2 parts
- Cocoa powder – 1 part
Step 1. Put 1 part of borax in a bowl
Borax is effective in getting rid of roaches. Poisonous in nature but sweet in aroma, it draws roaches closer and kills them.
Step 2. Add 2 parts refined flour and 1 part cocoa powder
- Add 2 parts refined flour and 1 part cocoa powder to the borax.
While refined flour deceives the roaches as a food item, the aromatic cocoa powder instantly draws the roaches closer.
Step 3. Mix and sprinkle
- Mix all the ingredients together and sprinkle this mixture along places where you usually spot roaches.
The next morning, you will see many dead cockroaches. All you have to do is discard them now!
Borax is poisonous in nature. So, wear gloves while preparing and spreading it, and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
Method 2: Using Baking Soda and Sugar
Things you’ll need:
- Baking soda – 1 part
- Sugar – 1 part
Mix the ingredients and sprinkle where roaches will find it
- Put equal amounts of baking soda and sugar in a bowl.
- Mix them together.
- Sprinkle the mixture on the edges and corners of the rooms where roaches mostly appear.
Baking soda will affect the digestive system of roaches by building up too much gas. The excess acidity will lead to their death.
Sugar, with its sweetness, will attract the roaches to the mixture. Baking soda and sugar is one of the most effective baits for getting rid of cockroaches.
This is also one of the safest methods for those of you with kids and pets at home. Borax is toxic in nature and any contact with it might pose a threat to their health. Baking soda, on the other hand, is a safer option.
Method 3: Using Petroleum Jelly
Things you’ll need:
- Jar (preferably glass, but plastic will do)
- Petroleum jelly
- Bait
Step 1. Pour the bait into the jar
- Pour the bait in the glass jar.
Here, we have used the borax, flour and sugar bait prepared in the above method. But you may use anything that has a strong, sweet smell, enough to attract the roaches. This could be fruit, peels and even beer.
Step 2. Grease the inside of the jar
- Line the inside of the jar with petroleum jelly.
This makes the inside of the jar very slippery, making it difficult for the roaches to climb out after they have been lured into it.
Keep this jar in a corner or a place where there are roaches. Discard the roaches that you find in the jar.
Method 4: Using Liquid Soap and Water
Things you’ll need:
- Liquid soap – 1/2 cup
- Water
- Spray bottle
Mix and spray
- Pour about 1/2 cup of liquid soap in a spray bottle.
- Fill the remaining portion of the bottle with water.
- Splash or spray the solution on the roaches, ensuring that it comes in contact with their heads or lower abdomens.
A light solution of bath soap and water is effective at getting rid of roaches. This is because roaches breathe through their skin. The solution blocks their breathing pores by forming a layer over their skin, thus suffocating them. The roaches will run, but will eventually stop and die.
However, they may at times get revived as they breathe through their skin. So, it is best to throw them out soon after spraying the solution.
Additional Tips
- The best way to get rid of roaches is to cut off their very roots of existence. They cannot live without food and water for more than a week, so get rid of these tiny insects by cutting off or limiting their food supply.
- Always store food and other items in clean airtight containers. Raw fruits and vegetables should be stored in the refrigerator.
- Make sure that no dirty dishes or leftover food is left out overnight. Wash your dishes immediately after meals and discard any leftovers. If you wish to store the leftovers, always cover them and store them in the refrigerator.
- Keep your garbage cans covered and empty them daily. Do not let moist garbage linger, even in your garden.
- Keep your counter, table, stovetop and all the other areas in the kitchen clean and free of any food particles.
- Humid environments attract more pests. Use a dehumidifier in your house to reduce humidity and moisture.
- Do not keep heaps and piles of newspapers, paper bags, cardboard boxes, rags or sacks out in the open.