Are you dealing with a cockroach infestation and don’t know how to get rid of them without hiring an exterminator?
Well, look no further! This article will show you safe ways to get rid of cockroaches in your house and kitchen cabinets without harsh chemicals or pesticides.
Table of Contents
What are Cockroaches?
Cockroaches are winged insects with segmented bodies and long, powerful legs.
These insects can be found in all parts of the world, including North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Cockroaches are nocturnal insects and feed on dead flesh, human and animal excrement, decaying matter, and plant material.
They can also eat other insects and their feces. They measure between 6-and 12 millimeters in length. Their colors range from yellow to brown to black.
Cockroaches are often confused with brown-colored termites, but cockroaches are not termites.
How to Get Rid of Cockroaches?
There are many ways to get rid of cockroaches naturally. These include:
1. Eliminate food sources
Cockroaches feed on dead flesh, human and animal excrement, decaying matter, and plant material.
This fact makes it essential to remove all food sources from the premises.
It is advisable to use natural cleaning methods that are not hazardous to human health.
You can also remove food sources from your kitchens, such as garbage cans, non-food storage containers, and dry food storage areas.
2. Eliminate sources of water
Cockroaches are known to breed in moist areas. Therefore, it is crucial to eliminate all wet areas in the home.
You can do this by eliminating leaks, cracks, and holes that provide entry for water into the house or building. You can also seal all cracks and holes that are visible.
If you notice any leaks, cracks, or holes, you can seal these immediately to prevent future infestation.
It is vital to use an appropriate remedy when dealing with moist areas such as toilet bowls, sinks, and tubs.
3. Destroy their nesting areas
Cockroaches often hide in wall voids, cracks, and crevices of walls behind baseboards or furniture. They can also be found in toilets, under sinks, and plumbing fixtures.
The best way to eliminate these is to inspect all of your home’s spaces and seal or remove any hidden infestation points.
By sealing up places where they can hide, you can prevent them from migrating and spreading.
4. Use natural remedies
Cockroaches have been susceptible to certain types of poisons. You can either use natural remedies, such as essential oils, or non-chemical methods safer for humans and pets.
This method includes the use of boric acid. Boric acid is a chemical found in many household products, such as granular or powder form.
You can also purchase boric acid at most grocery stores and pharmacies for about $10 for a small box.
Some people use boric acid in the form of a spray, but it is more effective when mixed with water and applied to the surfaces.
Boric acid is an effective way to kill cockroaches if you are the only one who has access to the areas where they live.
5. Use sanitizers and sprays
Cockroaches are most likely found in areas where food is prepared or stored, such as the kitchen, pantry, cabinet, and refrigerator.
Such areas should be cleaned regularly with home-made solutions to kill cockroach eggs and larvae. You can also employ a spray to kill cockroaches efficiently.
6. Set traps to catch cockroaches
You can use traps to catch cockroaches. These are baited with some food that attracts the cockroach and then releases a poison that kills it or drives it away.
You can also use glue boards placed in areas where you have seen cockroaches and other pests. These methods are effective only if they are used frequently.
It is best to be vigilant in your house to catch an early indication of a problem before it becomes a bigger problem.
If you see cockroaches, get rid of them immediately.
7. Make your home or office less attractive to cockroaches
You can make your home or office less attractive to cockroaches by ensuring clean glass surfaces.
This way, the cockroaches cannot climb up and find a way out of your house or workplace. You can also make sure that the lights are turned on at night so that cockroaches will stay away from your home or workplace.
You can also place sticky traps in areas where you have seen cockroach activity.
8. Kill the cockroach eggs or nymphs
If you have seen cockroaches, then it is likely that they are laying eggs or nymphs. It would be best to get rid of these immediately because they will hatch soon and start a new colony.
You can do this by putting them in a jar filled with water. It will drown them, and you can dispose of the dead cockroaches.
You should also check your garbage and remove any food waste that might contain cockroach eggs or nymphs. Scrape away the dirt around your garbage cans.
9. Destroy the nest by pouring boiling water on it, or light a fire to burn it up
Boiling water will kill the eggs and nymphs but will not kill the adult cockroaches.
Light a fire to burn up all of the cockroach nests in your kitchen. You can also use hot-air guns or heat lamps to destroy them.
If the nest is in a wall, you can put one or two gallons of boiling water to destroy it.
If there is no way to eliminate the nest without causing harm to your home, then you can take a metal spoon and light a fire under the nest and burn up the eggs.
This method may cause a small fire, but it will ensure the nest is destroyed.
10. Use a vacuum to get rid of the entire infestation
Another effective way to get rid of cockroaches is by using a vacuum to suck them all up.
You can use a vacuum cleaner every day to keep them away from your home.
You can also use a vacuum to suck up the eggs, stopping any new cockroach infestation in your home.
What are the steps involved in using a vacuum?
- Identify your vacuum cleaner’s model number and make sure that it has a vacuum hose with a nozzle that is small enough to fit through the cracks and crevices of your home.
- Turn on the switch of your vacuum cleaner and let it fill the bag with air.
- Place the nozzle of your vacuum in the cracks, crevices, and corners where you suspect that cockroaches are hiding.
- Turn on your vacuum cleaner, let it run for a while, and then remove the nozzle from each suspected location.
- Put the nozzle back in its original position and vacuum up the cockroaches that your vacuum has sucked up.
- Empty the bag and start over again.
- Repeat this process until you have vacuumed up all the cockroaches in your home.
Final Words
Cockroaches are one of the most hazardous insects to your home. They can cause significant damage to your house and many other household items.
These pests are powerful and can do a lot of damage to your home if care is not taken. If you want to eliminate them from your home, you need to act quickly.
The longer you wait, the more damage they will cause.
By using the methods described above, you can make your home less attractive to cockroaches, eliminate them, and reduce the amount of damage they cause significantly.
