Understanding Roaches
Cockroaches are both a nuisance and health hazard. These insects feed on a wide variety of food, making our homes the perfect place for them. They breed quickly and can go from an annoyance to an infestation in no time.
Because they’re nocturnal, you’ll most often see them at night, especially if you suddenly turn on the lights. During the day, roaches take cover and hide. When you’re looking for roaches, check in gaps and crevices, such as behind the fridge, beneath cabinets and under the sink. They also like warm areas and places where they have access to water, such as under the dishwasher, water heater or kitchen sink.
What Causes Roaches?
These are the major causes of roach infestations:
- Food: Leaving out leftovers or not wiping up crumbs can attract roaches. The more mess and grime, the more roaches you’ll have.
- Access to Water: Dripping faucets, leaky pipes and pet water bowls can all serve as water sources for roaches.
- Open Trash: Uncovered trash cans or ones that have loose-fitting lids can be a food source for roaches.
- Places to Hide: Roaches will settle in a range of places, from a crack in a wall to a pile of empty boxes.
How Roaches Get Into Your Home
These are the most common ways roaches enter a home:
- Doors and Windows: It’s difficult to get a perfect seal around every window and door, especially if they don’t close properly or the seals around them are old and deteriorating.
- Pipes and Vents: As with windows, if there are issues with seals or any cracks or holes, roaches will come in through pipes and ducts. They also use pipes and vents to move between apartments inside a building.
- Movable Objects: Roaches can be on furniture, in boxes or on any other object you might bring into your home. Be careful when you’re moving new objects indoors, as you could bring roaches along with you.
How to Get Rid of Roaches Quickly
Because roaches like to hide and breed quickly, it can be difficult to get rid of them. Choosing the best roach killer comes down to your specific situation and using the right method.
Many pest-control solutions are toxic. Always check the label and manufacturer’s instructions before use and follow the necessary precautions.
Sticky Traps
Sticky traps have sticky surfaces that trap roaches. Place these in an area where you suspect you’ll find roaches, such as under the sink or behind the fridge, and check periodically to remove or refresh the traps.
These traps are simple, easy to use and discreet. They’re best for handling smaller colonies of roaches, as they only deal with roaches that come to the traps.
Bait Traps
Poison bait traps lure roaches with the promise of food. After roaches ingest this poison, they carry it back to the roach lair, poisoning other roaches. These traps are also easy to use. Simply place them in the target zone and leave them.
Foggers
Foggers are usually cans that you set in a room and work well when you need to tackle an entire space at once. After you activate a fogger, it’ll fill the entire room with an insect-killing fog. The benefit of this method is that the fog can work its way into all the cracks and crevices where roaches might hide.
Before using a fogger, read the manufacturer instructions and follow all safety precautions, including removing items like food and dishes from the targeted room, staying out of the room while the fogger is running and thoroughly wiping down surfaces once the treatment is complete.
Aerosol Sprays
Aerosol sprays are fast-acting, targeted cockroach killers. Simply aim and spray to douse a roach in insecticide. Sprays are great for when you encounter a lone roach, but they’re not preventive, and you need to wipe away the residue from any surfaces when you’re done.
What Are Some Natural Home Remedies?
The following options are generally considered safer for people and pets than other formulas, and you likely have at least one option at home already. If not, you can easily find these at your local grocery store.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a fast and effective way to kill roaches, but it won’t work on its own. You’ll need to mix it with something else, like sugar, to make it appealing to them. Then simply sprinkle the sugar and baking soda mixture and leave it overnight near where you’ve seen roaches.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is a natural insecticide made of powdered fossilized algae, or diatoms. Simply sprinkle it where you notice roach activity and then clean the area the next day. This method may take several applications.
Avoid inhaling diatomaceous earth, as it can irritate the lungs. Wear a respirator mask during application.
Boric Acid
You can make another bait trap mixture using boric acid, sugar and flour. Apply the mixture at night where you’ve seen roach activity. Be sure to clean up any leftover powder the next day.
Avoid touching and inhaling boric acid. Wear gloves and a mask when making the bait and applying it to infested areas.
Preventing Roaches
Here are some simple tips for keeping your home free of roaches:
- Always keep your floors, counters and other food surfaces clean.
- Vacuum regularly.
- Store food in airtight containers.
- Make sure your trash can lid has a good seal.
- Seal any cracks, gaps or holes near doors, windows, pipes and vents.
- Fix any leaks that give roaches access to water.
- Be vigilant for signs of roaches, such as droppings, shed skin and eggs.
- Use sticky traps and check them regularly for signs of roaches.
Conclusion
Roaches are a health hazard that no one wants in their home. They can access your house through the smallest of gaps and cracks and are attracted to water, open trash cans and dirty spaces.
Do you have roaches? Here are a few products that you can use to get rid of them.
- Sticky traps
- Bait traps
- Foggers
- Aerosol sprays
- Natural remedies include: baking soda, diatomaceous earth and boric acid
Follow these tips to prevent roaches.
- Vacuum and mop regularly. Wipe down the counters and keep food surfaces clean.
- Store food in airtight containers and ensure the trash can has a tight lid.
- Seal any cracks and gaps around doors, windows, vents and pipes.
- Use sticky traps. Check them often for signs of roaches.