The cockroach is one of the most common household pests in developed countries. Despite their reputation as filthy creatures, they’re actually quite clean and prefer to not come into contact with people at all. Unfortunately, these bugs tend to contaminate human food when living inside homes or other buildings.
Cockroaches are nocturnal insects so they spend most of the day hiding in cracks and crevices close to where they feed. They’ve been around for over 300 million years so it’s safe to say these critters have adapted well to finding sustenance in even the filthiest locations; this is why they can be found under sewers, inside hospitals, restaurants, and more recently your house.
What is the main cause of cockroach infestations?
Before understanding how to get rid of roaches, we must understand the cause of the infestation. As it turns out, people are actually responsible for spreading cockroaches to new locations. Many of us don’t even realize when we transport these pests inside our homes or in our belongings when moving into un-infested areas.
However, there are also many other reasons that contribute to your house becoming a breeding ground for these unwelcome guests:
No Cleanliness
Cockroaches love dirty environments with lots of food and moisture readily available. And since they’re nocturnal creatures, you’ll never know they are there until it’s too late. So make sure you get rid of any organic material (used paper plates, burnt kitchen utensils, and so on) and maintain a clean home. Clean up any spills or leaks as soon as they happen and be sure to wipe the countertops and floors each day – even if it’s just with a dry cloth.
Cockroaches thrive in damp, dark places such as the kitchen scene depicted above. So keep your cabinets tightly shut after cleaning up all those crumbs that fell from your dinner plates!
Leaking water pipes
If you have leaking water pipes then take care of this issue first. Cockroaches need stagnant, moist conditions to survive and reproduce; and what better place than around a pipe with constant drips? So make sure you fix all plumbing issues before thinking about other pest control methods.
Also, note that cockroaches leave chemical trails in their feces and emit airborne pheromones for swarming and mating; so if you do not fix the root of the problem, you will always have roaches even after eliminating the ones you see!
Access to food sources
Why would a cockroach want to share your sandwich when they can eat the crumbs from it instead? This is why these creatures tend to follow human traffic: we usually lead them straight to delicious food and water sources such as kitchen sinks and pet bowls. So keep all your dishes clean by scraping plates before washing them. If you have pets, be sure to wash their feeding bowl each day too.
Even something as simple as being careful when opening your pantry can prevent cockroaches from getting inside!
Access to water sources
Cockroaches are not attracted to dirty water but they will drink the stale stuff if there’s nothing else available. So it’s important to keep your sink areas dry after washing dishes. This is why it’s especially annoying when you come home every day and find slimy trails all over the countertops because someone left the faucet dripping overnight. Remember that moisture attracts these pests so fix any leaks in your home immediately to avoid further infestation.
Kicking out this pesky pest at its’ source is always suggested.
What are some common types of cockroaches?
1. German cockroaches
German cockroaches are 1/2 – 1 inch long and brown in color, with two dark longitudinal streaks on the pronotum (a shield-like projection right behind the head). Their thorax has well-defined edges and their antennae are as long as or slightly longer than their bodies.
This particular species tends to be the most problematic because they reproduce rapidly and prefer warm indoor environments such as those found around heating appliances.
2. American cockroaches
American cockroaches look very similar to German roaches only larger – up to 2 inches long – and darker. And just like German roaches, they also have two dark stripes on their backs and a shield-like segment just behind the head. However, these bugs fly at night so you’re less likely to see them creeping around your home.
Cockroaches are usually brown in color, though there are many species that range from black to bright neon green. Also, some roach species have wings, while others do not; and they prefer either warm or cold climates depending on which type you’re dealing with. So make sure you know what kind of cockroach is currently in your house before trying any repellents!
Where do roaches hide?
Roaches can be found in almost every room in the home, but they usually prefer damp places such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. They will often hide under sinks or in cupboards when you turn on the lights so never underestimate these creatures just because you don’t see them.
These pests love to crawl behind kitchen appliances where dust buildup provides them with ample food sources; though they will also live in cracks in walls and crevices in furniture if there is not enough food available.
How to get rid of roaches: Home remedies
Wondering how to get rid of roaches using some home remedies? Below, we will discuss some home remedies on how to get rid of cockroaches at home;
Keep your home clean
Keeping the floor and surfaces in your home dry and free of crumbs will go a long way toward protecting it from roaches. A clean home is not only a remedy to roaches, but to so many other pests that could be a nuisance to your home.
Heat treatment
If there’s one room, in particular, that has a roach problem, heat treatment with boiling water can be an effective solution – just make sure to research this method before trying it out because it could damage some types of furniture. Note that steamers tend not to work on carpeted areas unless you use one that is also a vacuum cleaner.
Boric acid
This powdery substance can be spread out on countertops and under appliances where roaches congregate – just make sure to keep it away from food, kids, and pets! It’s toxic so don’t use this remedy if you’ve got children or animals running around.
Duct tape
A simple way of trapping these pests over an extended period of time is by placing sticky rolls of duct tape near their hiding places; then checking the roll every day to see how many you catch. Just be careful about touching any roaches that might get stuck to the tape as some people are allergic or sensitive to them. And make sure not to leave duct tape lying around if you have children or pets to avoid contamination.
Peppermint oil
This natural oil can be used in a spray bottle full of water and sprayed onto cracks and other hiding places where roaches congregate. The smell will be enough to repel them even after the spray dries! You’ll need quite a few bottles to cover all the likely hiding spots though so this solution may prove costly over time.
Diatomaceous earth
Roach powder is another alternative that can get rid of these pests safely without using caustic chemicals which might harm kids or pets. Simply place the powder in areas you haven’t been able to handle regular cleaning, such as under appliances and along cracks in walls.
Vinegar
To use this common household item as a roach repellent, mix equal parts vinegar and water and spray it on surfaces where you’ve seen roaches crawling; then leave the solution to dry for about 30 minutes before rinsing off with clear water and scrubbing off any remaining gunk with a sponge. Be careful not to let the smell of vinegar linger because it’s powerful! And make sure to repeat this process every day or two since it will wear off after a while.
Bay leaves
Another natural way to get rid of roaches without resorting to chemical sprays is by placing bay leaves wherever you’ve spotted these pests crawling. The smell will drive them away after a week or so!
Baking soda, sugar, and flour
This mixture can be used as bait and placed near cockroach hiding spots – just mix one cup each of baking soda, sugar, and flour into a bowl. Add water drop by drop until the mixture becomes thicker than pancake batter then spread it out on a piece of paper for these bugs to crawl through. You’ll need to replace this mixture several times because roaches will eat it all at once but it’s nontoxic so you can reapply as much as you want until your infestation is cleared up.
Oleic acid
You can use this fatty acid to create a spray that will kill roaches on contact – just mix it with water and spray the solution wherever these pests are seen scurrying around. The downside is that oleic acid can damage certain finishes so be sure to test the spray on inconspicuous areas before using it near furniture, floors, or other vital surfaces where you usually see roaches crawling!
Ammonia
Mix one part ammonia with four parts water in a spray bottle and spray this potent chemical mixture anywhere cockroaches might be hiding – behind appliances, under countertops, etc. Get rid of roaches by placing cotton balls soaked in ammonia near areas where these bugs congregate, such as behind large pieces of furniture and along baseboards. You can also coat roaches that get trapped on tape with ammonia to kill them once they’re stuck to the tape!
Ultrasonic repellers
These pest control gadgets emit high-frequency sound waves which only cockroaches and other small critters like rodents can hear; this drives them crazy and forces them out of your home. They usually work best in small homes or apartments but keep in mind that they won’t be able to kill roaches – they’ll only make your dwelling less desirable so these bugs will try to find another place to live!
These are some of the most effective ways on how to get rid of cockroaches. With regular cleaning and some elbow grease on your part and the right methods, you can make your home roach-free in no time.
How do get rid of cockroaches: Hiring a professional
If you do not have the time or patience to deal with the roaches in your home, you may opt to hire an exterminator to get rid of them for you. The trick in hiring professionals is finding one that’s experienced, reputable, and reliable enough to do the job right. There are thousands of exterminators out there (and new ones opening up each day) but how can you be sure which professional is worth hiring?
Here are five things to look into before deciding on an exterminator:
1. Experience
How long has the exterminator been in business? If they’ve been around for quite some time, chances are they’re experienced in dealing with insects so they know what methods work best when it comes to fighting off bugs like cockroaches. They also have a track record of satisfied customers so their service will attest whether or they really know their trade well.
2. Licenses and insurance
The last thing you want is to hire someone who’s not licensed or insured because it means they might mess up your home or cause more harm than good. A professional exterminator has the right license to do his job. Moreover, he will be covered by liability insurance in case anything goes wrong during their services.
3. Reviews
You can learn a lot about an exterminator just by reading through people’s feedback. Some of these reviews are posted on the company website so you can check them out for yourself before making any final decision regarding their services. If you have specific pest problems that need special attention, make sure to ask how well this particular service is provided so you’ll know if they’re the right pest control company for you.
4. Guarantees
A good exterminator should provide some sort of guarantee to make sure you’re happy with their service. If they can’t get rid of the roaches (or any other pests) in your house, the extermination company should be willing to come back and free your home of these insects at no additional cost.
5. References
Hiring an exterminator is like hiring any other service provider; you must check out previous customers’ feedback before hiring them to do a job! You may ask friends or family members for referrals so you’ll have an idea who to hire to get rid of cockroaches in your home. Additionally, you can also gather more information about what services they offer by checking out references.
Benefits of hiring a professional to get rid of roaches
- You don’t have to deal with chemicals yourself because these professionals do all the dirty work for you!
- Many experts will give a warranty that promises to get rid of roaches in the future, so if any new pests come back, these experts will get rid of them for free.
- A professional has the expert knowledge and the right tools to get rid of roaches in no time.
- You can do other things while a professional does what he does best – exterminate annoying insects!
- Professional cockroach killers know how to deal with these pests without leaving any harmful chemicals behind that might endanger your family’s health.
What Type of Professional Treatment is Most Effective?
There are two types of professional roach killing treatments:
1. Physical removal (a form of cleaning) in which all cockroaches insight are manually removed with a heavy-duty vacuum cleaner and then treated using insecticides in problem areas. This may take time but it’s a less dangerous approach to pest removal and it guarantees that all roaches will be disposed of.
2. Insecticide treatment (a form of chemical use) in which insecticides are applied around baseboards, along wall studs, and inside cabinets, behind appliances, and by the water heater too! These poisons will kill any cockroaches that come into contact with them; this method is effective but much more dangerous than physical removal.
How Can I Prevent Cockroaches From Coming Back?
To prevent pests from coming back, there are certain steps you should take after the treatment is over:
1. Clean your entire home, including behind appliances and inside cabinets because these are the most common places where cockroaches hide.
2. Keep all food sealed tightly in air-tight containers so that any remaining leftovers won’t attract insects’ attention anymore!
3. Get rid of trash regularly.. If you leave dirty dishes sitting around for too long, you’ll probably end up attracting cockroaches because they need water to survive just as humans do. Empty all trash cans often.
4. Fix any water pipes you have running through your home because cockroaches need water too. Make sure there are no leaks or drips keeping the areas around these pipes damp where insects could come in contact with any moisture.
5. Always keep your house neat and tidy so that cockroaches cannot hide anywhere inside it where they can easily escape from insecticides.
Conclusion
So, have you been wondering how to get rid of roaches? Having a cockroach problem in your home can be annoying and frustrating at times. However, it’s nothing that an exterminator or DIY cockroach removal won’t fix.
If you’re not sure whether to hire a professional or try removing roaches by yourself, consider the following: if one cockroach is spotted inside your house, there are almost certainly more hiding somewhere you can’t see them. In this case, hiring a professional is definitely the wisest approach because it guarantees 100% pest elimination! Moreover, professionals have access to hazardous chemicals that they know how to use properly so as not to hurt anyone.
Although chemical insecticides may seem like a good idea for people who try getting rid of roaches themselves, these poisons might actually cause harm to humans if they are used carelessly. That’s why it’s much better to let a professional deal with all cockroach extermination needs!
