Cockroaches are insects that can sometimes be found in houses and apartments. The main problem with these bugs is that they reproduce at high speed, and can quickly colonize a home.
Cockroaches are also unpleasant carriers of a number of serious diseases, such as tuberculosis, which are potentially transmissible to humans. For this reason in particular, but also for health reasons, it’s best to get rid of them quickly.
Easier said than done, getting rid of cockroaches in your home can sometimes be an obstacle course. If you’ve spotted cockroaches in your home, it’s high time you took action. Here are some of the best techniques for getting rid of them.
How to keep cockroaches at bay
Cockroaches are attracted to homes for many reasons. Knowing and avoiding them will help you keep these insects at a safe distance from your home.
- For a start, cockroaches are attracted to food. The first good habit to adopt is not to leave any food lying around on your worktops or in the kitchen in general. This includes bread and fruit. You should also avoid leaving dirty dishes in the dishwasher for too long.
- Next, all food should be stored in airtight boxes. Likewise, it’s best to opt for a hermetically sealed waste garbage can.
- You also need to be vigilant when it comes to your pets’ bowls. These should be kept clean and free from leftovers after meals.
- Water and humidity can also attract cockroaches. It’s therefore important to keep droplet traces to a minimum near sinks, washbasins, showers and so on. And keep toilet seats closed.
- Vacuuming regularly, and in every nook and cranny of the house, is a habit worth adopting. Finally, air the house as often as possible.
- As a general rule, cockroaches are attracted to food and water. So avoid tempting them as much as possible. It’s also a good idea to clean your home as thoroughly as possible to eliminate any eggs they may have laid. Don’t hesitate to scrub everything so that these little creatures don’t proliferate in your home.
- Cockroaches are hardy insects. Don’t hesitate to bring out the heavy artillery to get rid of them effectively.
A few natural tricks to keep cockroaches at bay
If you’re not a fan of chemicals, you should know that there are 100% natural products that can effectively repel or even kill cockroaches. There are a number of products you can use to get rid of cockroaches in your home.
1 – Eucalyptus essential oil
There’s a simple, natural trick you can use to keep cockroaches at a safe distance from your home, and scare them away if they’re already established. The solution is eucalyptus essential oil.
To put this trick into practice, simply soak cotton balls in eucalyptus essential oil and place them in all cockroach-infested corners. Don’t hesitate to target small nooks and crannies, the backs of furniture and appliances, etc.
2 – Baking soda and sugar mix
Equal parts bicarbonate and sugar, this mixture is a death trap for cockroaches. Cockroaches are attracted by the sugar and ingest sodium bicarbonate at the same time. This mineral powder then dehydrates them from the inside, killing them in a matter of hours. All you need to do is place it in small containers where the cockroaches come and go.
3 – Boric acid mixed with sweetened condensed milk
Boric acid, also known as borax, is a product sold in pharmacies, among other places, that can be used to kill cockroaches and get rid of them effectively. Mixed with condensed milk, borax becomes a formidable bait that attracts cockroaches and kills them in just a few hours. The small pellets created can be deposited around the house in problem areas.
Caution: borax is aggressive to the skin. Also, this tip is not recommended for use on pets.
4 – Diatomaceous earth
Diatomaceous earth has many uses, including eliminating cockroaches. Simply sprinkle on infested areas. As the roaches pass over it, they become impregnated with silica, which dehydrates and kills them. Diatomaceous earth is not harmful to humans or animals.
Other effective ways of trapping and eliminating cockroaches
5 – Traps
To get rid of cockroaches, you can use special traps. There are two main types: glue traps and insecticide traps. Glue traps immobilize insects by gluing them to a dedicated surface. Insecticide traps, on the other hand, contaminate cockroaches, which then return to their nests, contaminating and killing their fellow cockroaches.
6 – Insecticides
There are several cockroach insecticides available to get rid of these pests in the home. They come in many forms: aerosols, sprays and even powders.
Sprays, however, are said to be the most effective insecticides against cockroaches, as they enable the product to be deposited in the most inaccessible nooks and crannies. Exactly where cockroaches like to hide and set up their nests.
7 – Gels
Gels are effective cockroach killers. They come in syringe form and enable small dots to be applied to cockroach-infested areas. This treatment is carried out twice a year and is generally sufficient to eradicate any infestation in just a few days.
In conclusion:
Cockroaches can be particularly difficult to eliminate. If, despite your best efforts, you still can’t eradicate them from your home, you should consider calling in a professional exterminator.
