How to Get Rid of Cockroaches: Effective Methods and Tips

Cockroaches are resilient insects that can thrive anywhere, whether in the sewers or in the comfort of your lovely kitchen. Common species, like the German and American cockroaches, are notorious for infesting kitchens and bathrooms — and anywhere they find food, water, and shelter.

These pests can carry and spread bacteria, like Salmonella and E.coli, that can contaminate food and cause food poisoning. Their droppings and saliva can also trigger allergies and asthma attacks, especially in children. Knowing how to get rid of cockroaches is important if you want a healthier environment.

But cockroaches are a tough bunch, and you may need to make some effort to get rid of them. This guide will discuss how to get rid of roaches, including what you can do to prevent them from entering your home and how to kill roaches.

Identifying the Cockroach Problem

Cockroaches are nocturnal pests— they hide during the day and are active at night. Here’s how to know if you have an infestation and where to find them:

Signs of a Cockroach Infestation

There are several ways to know you have cockroaches in your home. You may;

• See them during the day. Cockroaches hide well during the day, so if you see one or two roaches, there are probably more hiding away. 
• See their droppings. Cockroach droppings resemble coffee grounds or black pepper, and you’ll mostly find them near food sources and hiding spots.
• Smell an unusual odor or have unprovoked allergic reactions. Cockroaches have a musty, oily smell, and their droppings can trigger asthma and some allergic reactions. 

Where Do Cockroaches Hide?

Roaches like warm and moist environments, so you’ll find them in kitchens and bathrooms. They hide under sinks, behind and inside appliances, inside cabinets, and almost anywhere else that they can fit.

Use a flashlight to check these hidden spots and look for droppings and egg cases. They also shed, so you may find shed skins. They can hide inside appliances like your microwave or blender, especially if you don’t use them often. Turn these on to see if any scurries out. 

Best Ways to Get Rid of Roaches

There are several immediate solutions and long-term prevention strategies if you are looking for what kills cockroaches. These are some of them: 

Chemical Methods

Applying insecticides is one of the most effective ways to kill roaches. You can use sprays, baits, and gels to get rid of them. Apply sprays directly to visible cockroaches and their hiding spots. Most of these chemicals can also harm you if ingested, so follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Wear gloves and a mask, and ensure you wash your hands well after. Keep children and pets away from chemically treated areas. You may wonder, “Does bleach kill roaches?*. Yes, it can kill them on contact, but it’s not an effective long-term solution because it doesn’t have enough residual effect.

Natural Remedies

You don’t have to use a chemical, especially when you have children around. If you’re wondering how to get rid of roaches overnight DIY, try mixing solutions at home yourself, using materials you already have.

Boric acid is a common household item that can disrupt the digestive systems of cockroaches. Sprinkle boric acid in thin layers around the infested areas. You can also use baking soda mixed with sugar to act as bait. It creates a gas that kills the cockroaches when they eat it. Essential oils, like peppermint and eucalyptus, can also repel them. 

Sealing Entry Points

Besides knowing how to get rid of cockroaches at home or what kills roaches, you can also ensure they never get into your home. How?

Cockroaches can enter your home through the smallest cracks. Inspect if you have potential entry points, like gaps around the windows, doors, or a broken pipe. Use caulk or weather stripping to seal these openings. 

Maintaining Cleanliness

Keeping your home clean is a big turn-off for cockroaches. Make sure your food is stored in sealed containers, and clean up any spills or crumbs immediately. Vacuum your space regularly, and mop the floors, especially the dining and kitchen areas.

Take out the trash can frequently so the dirt doesn’t attract roaches. How you keep your trash also matters. For instance, investing in the VEVOR Pull-Out Trash Can, which has double bins to separate your perishable trash from plastic can be a great idea. The can can carry about 110 pounds worth of load, and you can mount it in your kitchen cabinet.

Using Traps and Baits

Glue traps are not very effective in capturing many roaches at once, but you can get them with bait. Lace foods with insecticide and drop them for the cockroaches to carry back to their nest. That spreads the poison faster. If you’re learning how to kill a roach, it’s good to know that the best place to put their baits is under sinks and in dark corners. 

How to Get Rid of Cockroaches at Home

Cockroaches are persistent, but you can eliminate them. Here’s a detailed guide on how to get rid of roaches in apartments: 

Step-by-Step Guide to Eliminating Cockroaches

If you’re wondering how to keep cockroaches away, follow these steps: 

• Confirm that you have a roach infestation. Common signs are droppings and egg cases. 
• Clean your home and dispose of clutter where roaches can hide. Focus on your kitchen, where food remnants can attract cockroaches. Clean behind your appliances, empty your cabinets, and clean them.
• Seal any cracks and gaps around your home. Check for space under your door; if it’s big enough for a cockroach, other reptiles can crawl in. 
• Use any method of your choice to kill them. 

Preventative Measures to Keep Cockroaches Away

Here’s how to keep roaches away from your home:

• Clean your space regularly. Make it a daily task to wipe down countertops, sweep floors, and wash your dishes. You should also take out the trash promptly. Dirty spaces will attract roaches, so don’t make cleaning a one-time thing. 
• Store your food properly. Roaches are drawn to food sources, and spills will attract them. Store all food and leftovers in airtight containers and keep pantry items sealed. This will provide a solution on how to reduce cockroach attraction. 
• Roaches need water to survive, so fixing leaks and making sure there are no puddles in the house can reduce their presence. You can use dehumidifiers in damp areas like basements and bathrooms. Make sure your sinks and bathtubs are dry and empty when you’re not using them. 

Professional Pest Control: When to Call the Experts

Even with your best efforts, some roach infestations may be too severe to handle on your own. In cases like this, you should call professional pest control services. Here’s how to know if you need to seek expert help on how to get rid of cockroaches fast: 

Situations Requiring Professional Help

Call a professional if you: 

• Don’t know how to kill a roach or what keeps roaches away. 
• Notice cockroaches keep coming back despite your efforts to get rid of them. 
• Have a severe infestation, where you see roaches in large numbers frequently. 

What to Expect from Professional Pest Control Services

Pest control services will inspect your home to identify the extent of infestation and locate nesting sites. They use specialized equipment and chemicals that are more effective than over-the-counter products. Professionals will create a treatment plan and offer follow-up visits to ensure the infestation is completely gone. They’ll also advise you on how to prevent another infestation. They will have valuable answers to questions like “how to keep cockroaches away at night, how to get rid of American cockroaches, and how do you prevent cockroach re-infestation?”

Choosing the Right Pest Control Service

You need professionals who are good at their jobs to effectively manage a cockroach infestation. Here are some tips for finding the right pest control service: 

• Research and read reviews. Consider companies with positive reviews and high ratings. Ask friends who have battled similar situations and which professional they called for help. 
• Check their licensing. Make sure the company you choose is licensed by relevant local authorities. This means they know what they are doing and will adhere to industry regulations and standards. 
• Prioritize experience. Choose companies that have dealt with similar cockroach infestations in the past. You can ask their customer representative, or read their portfolio online. Again, referrals are the best in this situation. 
• If you prefer eco-friendly options, ask about the company’s use of green pest control solutions. 
• Choose a company that explains its treatment plan in detail, from the chemicals it’ll use to safety precautions you should take in the house. Your preferred pest control service should also have a clear pricing structure—you don’t want a company that pulls out hidden costs mid-treatment.

How to Keep Cockroaches Away: Prevention Tips

After educating yourself on what kills a roach and how to avoid roaches re-infesting your home, you probably want to also know some prevention tips. We provide some tips on keeping the roaches away from your space here:

Maintaining a Cockroach-Free Home

To keep your home cockroach-free, do these:

• Clean your countertop
• Sweep the floor every day
• Store your food in containers
• Don’t leave food out, not even your pet’s food. Roaches can contaminate them
• Fix any leaks
• Clean under your sinks and toilet regularly
• Cockroaches like to hide in papers and cardboard. Throw away any paper you aren’t using
• Clean under your rugs
• Take out your trash regularly, whether you have a tight-fitting bin or not. Keep compost bins away from the house.

Regular Inspections and Maintenance

You can catch a cockroach infestation faster when you’re watching out for it. Inspect your home frequently, and make sure there’s no way cockroaches can crawl into your home from outdoors. You can use insecticides around potential entry points to keep them away. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Rid of Cockroaches 

What is the Most Effective Way to Get Rid of Cockroaches?

There’s no standalone effective way to get rid of cockroaches. The ideal way to get rid of them is to combine several immediate solutions with long-term prevention strategies. Identify that you have an infestation, then use chemical methods like insecticides and bait stations to kill visible roaches. You can also use natural remedies to chase them away. Then, maintain cleanliness and avoid keeping things that can attract cockroaches around. If you’ve tried all of this and nothing works, call professionals.

Are There Any Safe Methods to Kill Cockroaches Without Harming Pets?

Yes, there are pet-friendly methods to kill cockroaches. Boric acid is effective and less toxic to pets if used correctly. Sprinkle it in places where your pets can’t reach, especially in tight places. You can also use diatomaceous earth— it’s non-toxic to pets but lethal to cockroaches. If you’re using chemical methods, keep bait stations and traps away from your pet, and always follow the instructions on any product to keep them safe.  

Conclusion

Combine the different methods discussed in this article to eradicate cockroaches in your home — if one doesn’t work, another will. But besides killing roaches, you must also ensure you’re not inviting them back. Keep your house clean and uninviting for roaches, and the likelihood of a re-infestation could be minimal.