Cockroaches would most definitely take the top spot as the most annoying insects on the face of the earth. Just 2 cockroaches in your home are enough to multiply x1000 and thus the need for a homemade roach killer. These annoying creatures carry disease and are also a sign that your surroundings are unclean.
Have you ever had to deal with flying ones? OMG, the horror! I remember when I almost had a heart attack because of the pesky little creature.
It was a Sunday morning and I had just arrived at my home, got into the house, and there it was, staring right at me, I was alone and had to be brave, so, I got a broom and tried to kill it, and the worst happened! Yes! It flew! I literally danced for a couple of minutes before giving that roach a well-deserved death.
If you are a cockroach hater like myself and would love to get rid of them completely, this article is for you. Using insecticides on them is something that could go on and on without getting rid of them for good.
Read on to find some ideas that will help eradicate roaches from your home and surrounding for good.
Table of Contents
What are cockroaches most attracted to?
The reason why you have roaches around your home could be due to certain factors. I’ll be listing everything you need to know below;
1. Trash Can
Your outdoor trash can is like an all-you-can-eat buffet for roaches. They have a very strong sense of smell and can easily tell where there’s surplus. Having a trash can inside your house is even worse because when cockroaches come to feed they aren’t going to leave anytime soon. You should try to empty and clean your trash can afterward on a regular basis.
2. Dirty Kitchen
No cleaning your kitchen and doing the dishes regularly would most likely invite cockroaches to your home. A dirty kitchen sink is a breeding ground for cockroaches. Do not leave dishes in the sink overnight. If you have a large family and it is always hard to wash dishes because there are too many, you can ask everyone to wash their plate after eating.
3. Food Particles On The Floor
The kitchen isn’t the only place that you would find cockroaches, they can also be found in your parlor, bedroom, and just about anywhere with food particles on the floor. This can be easily fixed by sweeping your home regularly. Using a vacuum cleaner is also a great way to get rid of food particles in nooks and crannies.
13 Tips For Killing Cockroaches
1. Boric Acid
This acid comes in a powder form and has proven to be very effective in killing cockroaches. It won’t work when in contact with water, so make sure you use it in a dry place and then give it some time to do its magic on the cockroaches. They’ll all die eventually. Here’s how to use boric acid to eradicate cockroaches in your home;
Instructions
- Sprinkle boric acid around the nooks and crannies of your home.
- Do not sprinkle on wet surfaces.
Note: Boric acid is poisonous, if you have kids, I wouldn’t suggest this option.
2. Use Neem
This is a completely natural memory that kills cockroaches. Neem is a pure herb that comes from the neem tree. The extract is what kills roaches and it is gotten from the seeds of the tree. It can kill other household pests too. You can get the oil or powdered form, all would be effective against insects. Here’s how to use it;
Instructions
- In a spray bottle, add neem oil.
- Top up with a little water.
- Shake the bottle and spray in areas where you have seen cockroaches.
If you got the powdered form of neem, all you have to do is sprinkle it in infested areas and at night and let it work its magic.
3. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil has proven to be very effective in the fight against various household pests and insects. With this oil, you can put an end to your current cockroach problem. The process is quite simple. You will need salt, a spray bottle, peppermint oil, and water.
Instructions
- Add a fair amount of salt into a spray bottle.
- Add water and then peppermint oil.
- Give the solution a good shake.
- Spritz the solution in areas where you have cockroaches.
- Repeat regularly and you’ll notice changes.
4. Coffee & Water Trap
If you would rather trap the little rascals, here’s a method that will work. For this trap, you will need coffee grounds, as cockroaches are attracted to the aroma. You will also need water, little cups, and a couple of jars to place at specific locations in your home.
Instructions
- Fill a couple of large glass jars with water.
- Put the coffee grounds inside the little cups.
- Place the little cups inside the large jars and let them float.
- Keep the large glass jars close to walls in your kitchen and other areas where you might have cockroaches.
- Check the trap daily and dispose of the cockroaches that have been caught.
- Repeat the process.
5. DIY Cockroach Trap
Here’s a DIY that shows you how to make a cockroach trap with vaseline, peanut butter, and a mason jar. The roaches will definitely fall for the peanut butter bait and then get trapped in the jar. Watch the video tutorial for more details on how to make this DIY cockroach trap.
6. Water & Fabric Softener
Cockroaches breathe through their skin. One way to kill them would be to block the flow of air and suffocate them. You can adapt this method if you are running low on cash to purchase an insecticide. Simply create a solution that contains three parts softener, and two parts clean water, spray it directly to kill them.
7. Hoy Hoy Trap A Roach
This method is for busy people who do not have time to make their own cockroach trap, you can simply purchase and use this one. It is very easy and has proven to be effective in trapping cockroaches. It fits almost anywhere and can be kept vertically and horizontally.
8. Baking Soda & Sugar
Baking soda has the ability to kill cockroaches, but in order to make them fall for the trap, you need to prepare a baking soda and sugar mix, the baking soda will attract them and the soda will kill them.
Instructions
- Mix baking soda and sugar in a bowl.
- Sprinkle the mixture around infested areas.
- Allow it to sit overnight.
9. Bay Leaves
Use this option if you do not have the heart to kill them. Crushing bay leaves and sprinkling them in areas like your cabinets, and other nooks and crannies will send them parking. You can alternatively add some bay leaves in a pot and boil, then sprinkle the water in affected areas to drive the cockroaches away.
10. Borax & Sugar
Not ready to use your precious baking soda on cockroaches? Here’s another alternative that does the trick just as well. In a bowl, mix borax and sugar and then sprinkle where necessary, this would damage their digestive system.
11. Roach Killing Bait
With this device, all your roach problems would be completely over. You won’t have to do anything but go about your business while this device kills cockroaches every day! It does not require activation and kills the nest of the cockroaches, leaving your home completely free of insects.
12. Cayenne Pepper Repellent
Using cayenne pepper is a natural repellent for cockroaches, it is still not certain why this works but it does work. A trial would convince you. If you intend on repelling cockroaches rather than killing them, I would suggest you make this recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper
- 4 cups of water
- 1 crushed garlic clove
- 1 small white onion
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix the cayenne pepper, onion, and garlic.
- Add water to a pot and allow to boil, add the above mixture into the pot.
- Allow it to boil for 10-12 minutes.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool down.
- Add the mixture in a spray bottle and spritz areas that are infested with roaches and they’ll be on their heels.
13. Soda Bottle Trap
That soda bottle you didn’t throw away is about to become a trap for roaches and I will show you how to make one. The making process is quite easy to follow, here’s what you will need; a soda bottle, knife, soap, water, and tape.
Instructions
- Using the knife, cut off the top third of the bottle.
- Remove the cap off the cut-off section and place it upside down into the other end of the bottle. (it should look like a funnel inside a bucket).
- Use tape around the rim to keep the top part of the bottle in place.
- Pour water and dish soap into the bottle.
- Keep the bottle in infested areas and cockroaches will fall for it.
How To Get Rid Of Cockroach Eggs
This is another serious issue to consider. You might succeed in killing or repelling cockroaches away from your home, but having too many eggs in your home means you’ll be having another infestation soon. This video tutorial shows you how to get rid of cockroach eggs.
Last Word
Getting rid of all the cockroaches in your home might not be an easy task especially if you have a serious infestation. Regardless, all the tips listed in this article should help you in your quest to combat cockroaches in your home.
Do not forget to always keep your kitchen clean, make sure to get rid of food particles in your home, and always seal the trash can else they just might return. Thanks for stopping by, I hope this article has been helpful to you, kindly share it with your friends and family!
Ask Me Anything