5 Ways to Get Rid of Roaches

It is not an easy task to get rid of roaches. Cockroaches are known to be difficult to kill and breed quickly, so if your house develops a problem with an infestation of roaches, act quickly. There are several ways you can try to get rid of roaches, but don’t waste time or they will start to multiply, and it will become an even more difficult task.

1. Homemade Roach Bait

Using something to lure roaches with is a good trap to try first. Mix together equal parts of flour, sugar and boric acid. Roaches are attracted to sugar and will track it down and eat it. The flour helps the substance stick to the roaches and the boric acid will kill them once they have ingested it. Mixing these three things together, you can place this mixture back behind stoves or cupboards where roaches are commonly found. Be careful if you have pets in the home or small children; put the trap somewhere that they will get into it.

2. Store Bought Roach Bait

If you don’t want to make your own roach bait, you can buy some at most stores. These usually come in a child proof case of some sort that the roaches enter, consume the food and then leave. The roaches will not die immediately; the poison takes some time to take effect. Some of these also work by allowing the roach to carry the bait back to the nest and share it with all the other roaches. This can kill off many of the roaches at once if effective. Replace the roach baits every few weeks.

3. Insecticide Spray

Check your local home improvement stores for a selection of insecticide sprays. Be sure to choose one that is labeled to be used for roaches or it may not be as effective. Use the spray along cracks and around the walls in your home so it will reach back to where the roaches are living. Use an outdoor spray around the outside walls of your house where they may be entering. Repeat this process once a month or so if you continue to see roaches around the home.

4. Cockroach Traps

Traps are different than bait because they actually trap the roach, usually with some sort of adhesive. Store bought traps use something to lure the roaches in and then they stick to the adhesive. Place them around your home in spots that roaches may frequent. Check them often and toss when they have collected a few roaches and then replace with fresh ones around the home.

5. Professional Insecticide

Some professional insecticide mixes can be purchased now and used on your own. Dilute them with water and spray using an empty spray bottle around cracks and crevices inside and outside the home. Respray every couple of weeks to keep roaches from reinfestation of the home. If all else fails, call an exterminator. They may have stronger chemicals than available through stores near you that will kill off the roaches once and for all.