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How to get rid of stuff » Pest Problems » How to Get Rid of Cockroaches
 

How to Get Rid of Cockroaches

November 7th, 2009 by admin
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2. Eliminate sources of the cockroach infestation

In this step we will roach-proof all of your food supplies, water supplies and points of entry.

Roach-proofing food sources

Glass JarsRoaches will eat any available foods, but they prefer carbohydrates. The catch is that they can eat any type of carbohydrate, including those found in glues, bar soaps, and certain plants. Trade in the bar soaps for a liquid variety and apply petroleum jelly around the outside edges of potted plants to keep the roaches out. It is of utmost importance to overhaul your food storage routines as well. Roaches can chew threw paper, cardboard, and brittle plastics so any foods that rely on these things for storage are vulnerable. Purchase a set of glass or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids and immediately transfer anything that comes in bags or boxes into appropriate containers. Make sure the seal on your refrigerator is clean and complete, and keep all refrigerated foods sealed as tightly as the non-refrigerated foods.

FloorIt's important also to modify your kitchen routines. Immediately wipe down any surface used when preparing food, and sweep the kitchen out every day or two. Clean up spills and periodically clean anywhere that grease or cooking residues collect such as stovetops and inside ovens. Store organic wastes separately in a large, plastic container that seals tightly and either compost it outside or throw it away when you take out the trash. When the container gets soiled, soak it in a mild water-bleach solution for a few hours. Use a trash can that has a tightly sealing lid to deny roaches access to your refuse, and clean it as soon as it gets dirty. If you have exposed pet dishes, place them in pans of soapy water to create a moat around the food. Watch for crumbs spilled by your pet and don't let the moat dry up. At night, plug and dry your sinks to keep roaches from entering from the drains or easily locating water.

Roach shelters and breeding grounds

Roaches prefer dark, warm and moist areas. This means they are likely to hang out underneath refrigerators, inside electrical equipment and outlets, around stovetops, and near any leaky pipes. Thoroughly move through the areas that traps reveal as being population focal points and seal up all nooks, crannies, and cracks that you find with silicone caulking or an appropriate filler material . Cockroaches can fit into cracks as small as 1/5" so be thorough.

Roach-proofing methods of entry

Outside of your home roaches will accumulate anywhere there is decaying organic matter. Clean up and clear out dead leaves, overgrown grass and weeds, and any moist areas that collect organic wastes. Pay special attention to overgrowth that is right up against your home.

In apartment buildings, roaches can gain entry to your living space through unprotected vents, ducts and drains. Combat this weakness by removing vents and placing screens behind them. Seal the edges of the screen against the duct opening with silicone caulk and replace the vent. Next, check that all of your windows have undamaged screens. Any small holes you find in a screen can be repaired with a dab of silicone caulk. Doors should have weather stripping applied over any crack that could allow a roach to enter, and drains should be closed up every night before retiring.(Read, how to use silicone caulk)

3. Eliminate the current cockroach population

If the previous steps were not efficient enough to diminish the population by themselves, you will likely want to use them in addition to one of the following insecticides. Use chemical insecticides sparingly as roaches can easily become immune to new measures. Instead, start with an insecticidal dust. After implementing one of the following measures, be sure to repeat the trapping exercise you performed in step 1 to understand how the population was effected.

Insecticidal dusts

Popular insecticidal dusts include Diatomaceous earth and boric acid (Borax). Diatomaceous earth kills roaches by damaging their exoskeletons and then dehydrating them through the wounds. Boric acid works by poisoning them. Of the two, boric acid is the most effective because it does not repel roaches, they do not develop resistance to it, and it will last for as long as it is kept dry. The downside is that it can take up to 10 days to begin working whereas diatomaceous earth begins working immediately after application. When applying dusts, be careful to keep them out of the air.

Hydramethylnon based bait stations

Insecticidal baits are used to kill roach populations without covering your environment with poison. Use only those baits that come in tamper-proof bait stations and always keep them inaccessible to children and pets. Some varieties of Combat and maxforce roach bait stations use the poison Hydramethylnon which kills roaches within 3 days of consumption. These work well, but the bait can be quickly used up in infested areas, so replace them often at first - especially if you notice roaches living inside of them.

Avermectin

Avermectin (Avert) is another commonly used poison that is derived from the naturally occurring soil microorganism streptomyces avermitilis. It works exceptionally well but can only be applied by a licensed professional.

Insect growth regulators (IGR's)

Insect growth regulators work by impeding the developmental process of an insect. In cockroaches they cause sterility in adults. Adults that were resident before the application will be unaffected and will still be able to reproduce, but if there are no neighboring areas of infestation to replenish non-sterile adults this treatment method should eventually cause your roach population to wither and disappear.

Carbon dioxide fumigation

Call your local pest control professional to find out if they are equipped for carbon dioxide fumigation. The process involves filling huge plastic bags with roach infested belongings and then suctioning out the air and replacing it with carbon dioxide, killing any roaches inside. This may work well if you are about to move and don't want to bring the roaches with you.

Steam cleaning

Steam can also be used to kill roaches. It can be shot into holes, cracks, and underneath appliances to kill any resident roaches.

Foggers

Compared to the above methods, foggers are ineffective. They are marketed to people who do not want to expend the effort necessary to intelligently fight their roach infestation and they expose all of the home's occupants to whatever poisons are in the treatment. Any cockroaches will likely retreat into their hiding places and wait until the fog dissipates before returning to the open. The dried poison residue that remains on all of your living surfaces will not kill them. Stay away from foggers. For other information on cockroach control, learn the Seven ways to exterminate cockroaches.

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    1. pete Says:
      September 3rd, 2009 at 7:40 am

      I did try all of the tips above except for the pinesol mixture. i have a book “1001 all-natural secrets to a pest free property” with natural repellant tips which i did try and they work only temporary, including sprays varying from peppermint to jalapeno extract, the traps worked for a brief period (2 - 3 weeks) and now they are back! also the “home defense” spray mixtures you can buy from the store work marginal (otherwise they won’t sell to much and lose profit) so i think i have to put on my boxing gloves and give these little bastards a visit! :o)
      Good luck!

    2. Wolf Says:
      August 10th, 2009 at 9:59 pm

      A 50/50 mix of Pine Sol in a squirt bottle will ruin their day. The residue of Pine Sol is also deadly to roaches not to mention that rats and mice avoid it at all cost. Boiling or very hot tap water will put and end to their sorry life in under 4 seconds. Boiling water, 3 gal or so will also destroy any ant bed. They will cook, including the queen and eggs and they will not relocate or return. Others may but they will be toast.

    3. Roach murderer Says:
      April 4th, 2009 at 2:36 am

      Use Bay leaves, people! Roaches hate the smell, so just lay them by a corner and they will leave. I have a lot of roaches in my house but I read that bay leaves will help so I am going to try.

    4. Dee Says:
      March 13th, 2009 at 11:19 am

      Thanks for all the tips! I’m going through the new renter nightmare of previous tenants who were apparantly crowded and gross. One thing I plan on doing the following week is calling the health department. For renters moving in to an already infested area there should be something the health department can require of the landlords. I’ve spent so much money on traps, boric acid, roach gel, bleach, only to still have to listen to them everyday/night. It’s just a matter of it being sooooooo many! And they’re the big ones! The big load ones that you can hear them when they walk on stuff! And just the sight of them gross me out I’m not gone lie, so me personally stepping on them and chasing them is out of the question. I could tell the landlord didn’t even paint the walls because when I came to clean up, AFTER ALREADY SIGNING my lease, you can see where the previous tenants would obviously just smash them on the walls at will! For real! Just gross and that’s what I had to clean of the walls! Anyway, on top of the health department, because seriously, I can just imaging what’s going on inside the walls and over our heads, I’m going to try the peppermint idea and also the jar thing on top of throwing away all my paper wrapped products in my cabinets now that I know they are targets of these gross, scum of the earth creatures. And I didn’t know boric acid was so safe, I guess I forgot to read more on the bottle, so I’m glad to know that I can apply more of it.

    5. Cheryl Says:
      March 10th, 2009 at 1:07 pm

      I know this sounds weird but Roaches HATE peppermint, you can buy liquid peppermint soap online mix it with water and wash down the walls floors, furniture, and anything that you can wash keep doing this when the smell starts to become very faint and you’ll keep them away. The worst part your house continuosly smells like a candy cane but I prefer to live with that than the roaches.

    6. Marcos Says:
      February 26th, 2009 at 11:37 pm

      Just a tip from personal experience to avoid bringing cockroaches to your home. Last year I was on a rather a long holiday for 4 weeks visiting family in Pakistan. My suitcase was left unattended at my dad’s place for most of the 4 weeks and guess what, upon my return to the UK I noticed 1 or 2 cockroaches in the suitcase and killed them. Obviosuly some must have escaped and within weeks the house was full of cockroaches! All kinds of DIY control measures are keeping the population under control but they are not fully gone. I might have to take professional help.
      Message: IF you have been to a new place, just check your luggage!

    7. tess Says:
      January 24th, 2009 at 6:52 am

      thanks for all the tips i am in Eden NSW Australia and i have never lived in a place so infested with cockroaches,i will now stop stomping on them and start trying some of the remedies recommended.

    8. Phil Says:
      November 8th, 2008 at 2:38 pm

      My wife and I live in a townhouse. Some Spanish “pigs” moved in next door about 2 years ago. We never saw one coackroach until they moved in. Now, we have seen them pop out at night in our kitchen. We were usually seeing about 4 or 5 each night. The Spanish “pigs” got foreclosed and moved out and left the largest infestation of roaches in that house like you would not believe.
      Once they moved out I took it upon myself to go over there and bomb the hell out of that house. I set off 12 bombs two separate times with a six pack a bombs called REAL KILL. I also sprayed everywhere in my house a jug of some stuff called HOT SHOT. I also put out sticky traps which you use to catch mice on (the kind that smell like peanut butter). When I went back after leaving the house next door sealed up with no windows open I was shocked! It was like Jonestown in Guyana…there must have been a million coackroaches dead everywhere. I haven’t seen one cockroach since then. And if I do, I’ll just bomb the hell out of it again.
      Here’s a tip: Get some large sticky traps and cut them into little strips and put them on your counter tops along the edges (roaches love to run along the edges). Also, put one under your microwave and check it in a couple of days and I can almost guarantee you will see about 4 or 5 stuck on there.
      Also, use Boric acid and spray the shit out of it behind your fridge, behind dishwasher, behind the stove.
      One more tip: If you have pigs living next door, make sure they have gotten rid of all their food. These spanish trash that were living next door left rotten food,rotten meat in the fridge, and trash everywhere. Also don’t leave dirty dishes in your sink or water…roaches love that.

    9. dunnie Says:
      November 8th, 2008 at 12:08 pm

      im living in Cyprus at the mo been here since july got 2yrs left,ive come across 3 roaches i hate them the biggest one was today massive, how the f**k do i rid them its november.MMMMMMMMMMMMMMhh help any offers

    10. lizzie Says:
      October 29th, 2008 at 12:07 pm

      I am going crazy with these bugs they are allover my table which is a wood table and my laptop is on there and sometimes a roach pops out of it!!! i heard that roaches eat anything, even wires….. what can i do i dont want my computer to break!!!! also some guy came to spray and more seemed to come alive!!!

    11. Nadine Says:
      October 27th, 2008 at 4:49 pm

      No one has mentioned DIATOMACEOUS EARTH. Check it out. It is all natural and safe for humans and pets. Kills all types of bugs and lasts indefinitely if left alone.
      It works by dehydrating insects through a desiccating action. The absorptive properties of the fossilized cell-walls easily remove the cuticle’s outer waxy layer. This results in the loss of an insect’s ability to maintain proper fluid levels-ultimately leading to death. Unlike boric acid dusts that work best when ingested, diatomaceous earth only requires contact with the insect to be effective.
      Gardening stores should stock it along with a hand duster for application.
      Be vigilant in cleaning up all water, all sugars and all greases.
      Bug free wishes to all.

    12. Jennifer Says:
      October 25th, 2008 at 2:50 pm

      In my experience, roaches are extremely hard to control because there is such an abundant of them. I came across this website when i was researching pestmall.com and they had such helpful tips and useful information. The directions for the application was easy and understandable. I used Dupont Advion Roach gel and i got AMAZING results! I just applied the gel in moist humid warm areas because that is where roaches love to live. I applied the gel on the corners of the kitchen, in the cracks of appliances (refrigerators, microwaves, stove fans, etc.), under counters, cabinets, and sinks, and other small openings where cockroaches can enter and BAM! I received amazing results! People should go check it out! Its easy, simple, fast, and useful, not to mention CHEAP!

      http://www.pestmall.com

    13. wanda Says:
      September 25th, 2008 at 8:45 am

      I tried boric acid and combat baits. It seems to be working however, I did find one inside my washing powder box…

    14. rose Says:
      September 18th, 2008 at 5:46 pm

      what i do is to go to china town and buy its called chinese chalk

    15. Tae Says:
      September 8th, 2008 at 9:39 pm

      So my boyfriend and I just got a appartment ” Rental House ” and we went to look at it and the landlord told us that there were bugs ..after we have already payed our deposit and first months rent.. we went in the house to see how bad the problem was and there are thousands if not millions ranging from the size of a ball pin point to the size of a dill pickle ….theres a ton of them ..!! The landlord told us he has had the place professionaly bombed 3 times …and we sprayed everything down with Rid and boric acid ..and theres still a ton…!! we also have fleas …!! I have a 4 month old baby and don’t want to move all our and her stuff in and then find out that there not gone….what do you suggest to do to get rid of them for sure ???

    16. Erica Says:
      August 27th, 2008 at 5:55 pm

      I get roaches really bad sometimes. I bought something off the street (that is illegal in New York State) called Tempo. It comes in a white envelope with blue writing on it. It’s a strong powder and I put some up in the cabinets, behind the frige and stove and the roaches come out of everywhere and die. I have not been able to find it again this year.

    17. Jennifer Says:
      August 24th, 2008 at 9:07 pm

      This is not a tip… im just freaking out! i’ve got roaches really bad! Their out of control! im trying the traps tonight and we’ll see if it works, im just scared to clean up anything lol, i picked up some clothes off the bathroom floor and one come out of my clothes! and then i walked in the kitchen early in the morning and there were three out in my small small kitchen! all three in the open.and while i was putting out the traps i saw a few babies!! :( help! ITS FREAKING ME OUT!! AND TIPS PLEASE!! HELP, IM SCARED!!

    18. T Says:
      August 12th, 2008 at 9:10 pm

      I HAVE LIVED IN MY HOME SIXTEEN YEARS AND IT WILL BE TWO WEEKS THIS FRIDAY AUGUST 15TH 2008, I HAVE SEEN AND KILLED THREE ROACHES. IT’S NOW ELEVEN DAYS AND I’M STILL FREAKEN OUT! I BOMBED WITH NINE BOMBS, BAIT TRAPS AND BORAX, I HAVE SPRAYED RAID, BLEACH ON ALL WALLS AND CORNERS LINED THE EDGES OF THE FLOOR WITH DISH SOAP AND I’M STILL AFAID TO COME HOME. I HAVE LOST SLEEP OVER THIS AND LAST NIGHT I EVEN GOT THE DRY HEAVES AND SEARCH THE HOUSE WITH A FLASH LIGHT ( DIDN’T SEE ANY). I HAD A PRO COME OUT HE SAID HE BELIVES I FIXED THE PROBLEM. I DON’T BELIVE IT! SO WED 8/13/08 AT 7:30 AM ANOTHER ONE IS COMING OUT I CAN’T WAIT I JUST WANT SOME THHING DONE I WANT THEM GONE ! MAYBE I READ TO MUCH ABOUT THEM THEY ARE CEAPY. EVERY ONE THINKS I’M CRAZY NOW THEY SAY I’M MAKING A BIG DEAL OUT OF A COUPLE OF BUGS … THERE’S NEVER JUST A COUPLE. PLEASE HELP WITH ANY INFO I’M READY TO HAVE MYSELF COMMITED AND ALL LIGHTS MUST BE ON AT NIGHT TIME NOW … THIS IS CRAZY HELP ME! KEEP DRY, DON’T LEAVE BAR SOAP OUT,AND CLEAN CLEAN AND CLEAN THROUGH AWAY PAPERS AND CLUTTER AND DO NOT SQUISH THEM.

    19. AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH! Says:
      August 11th, 2008 at 2:25 am

      OMG I live in an apartment complex, and sometimes I would see a roach or two in the bathroom. Usually after keeping the drains plugged and setting some bait traps they would be gone for awhile… Now I’m starting to see them else where! My bedroom … and Now my kitchen cabinet!!! I have some of my food in sealed containers, but am I going to have to throw out everything that isn’t??? Like my mac & chreese and stuff??????? Will it be obvious that they got into it, or do I need to get rid of everything just in case?

    20. disgusted Says:
      August 7th, 2008 at 1:54 pm

      Im about to go out of my mind here. Family moved in here 3 years ago when their house caught on fire and people gave them stuff. They brought it all into my house and since they left I havent been able to get rid of them. I fogged my house which isnt very big you know I put 2 foggers in each room and left. Came back home and its like there worse now then they was before. Im so sick of looking at them it digusts me. Ive tried the boric acid but they turn the other direction. They sticky pads works for a bit and then quit after so long. Can anybody tell me how else to get rid of the nasty things. I aint got much money so I cant hire someone to do it.

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