Roaches: the sight of seeing one makes everyone cringe. Unfortunately, these pests can be fairly common. The German Cockroach and American Cockroach are generally the species that make their into your home.
Getting rid of a cockroach infestation can be a hassle, but it doesn’t have to be if you have a couple tricks up your sleeve.
Use these tips to get rid of cockroaches for good:
Lower Room Temperatures
Cockroaches thrive in the hotter temperatures and may even fly with greater use of their muscles, in the warmer weather. Although you cannot drastically change your outdoor temperature, you can monitor your indoor temperatures. With colder temperatures you can at least keep cockroaches from flying, and then use one of the techniques below.
Make Your Own Organic Cockroach Bait And Insecticide
Most insects breathe through their skin, so blocking those passageways can suffocate them and kill cockroaches in your home. If you do not want to use pesticides with harmful chemicals, you can keep a simple solution of soap and water in a spray bottle. This should be enough to kill cockroaches safely.
Additionally, here are three types of natural insecticides that can help:
- Baking Soda
- Boric Acid
- Citrus
Baking Soda:
Combine this lethal ingredient with something roaches will be attracted to, such as sugar or onions. Once the cockroaches eat the mixture, they will die.
Boric Acid:
You can always lure a cockroach with sugar and use a bit of boric acid to kill them. With a three-to-one mixture of powdered sugar (3) and boric acid (1) you can lure cockroaches to you bait and kill them on site. Boric acid is not toxic to humans or pets, but may irritate the skin – so keep it out of reach.
Citrus:
If you want to take preventative measures before the cockroaches appear, mix citrus acid with some water. Roaches hate the smell of citrus, therefore it will deter them from entering. You can also leave a citrus peels around your kitchen to help.
Place any of these natural insecticides to high-traffic areas.
Fix Water Leaks
Photo by: HomeServe
Like all living organisms, cockroaches need water to survive. Cockroaches will be attracted to any moisture from leaks around your home. By fixing all leaks around your pipes and removing any standing water in your sink and indoor plants, you can help reduce cockroach populations in your home.
Clean, Clean, Clean
In addition to water, cockroaches are attracted to food residue and grease. Making sure to clean countertops and stovetops, sweep floors, and wash dirty at the end of each day will surely not leave any food left over for cockroaches to find. Plus, your house will be spic-and-span!
Seal Up Cracks and Holes
Photo by: HGTV
Using a tube of caulk and a caulking gun, you can begin to fill in cracks and holes where cockroaches can find a way in. Inside pantries, between countertops and walls, and baseboards are all areas that cockroaches can find their way in.
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