Home Remedies For Roaches

Home remedies for roaches. These pests are a center of lot of attraction because of their abilities and skills. Cockroaches or simply roaches are not easy to get rid of. They are stubborn, intelligent and have a strong outer shell which protects them from most adversities. Most people call specialist pest control companies to get rid of cockroaches coming in the house. But, they can be controlled and driven out of the house using simple techniques.

Roaches are among the larger insects on planet earth. Some of the species of cockroaches are huge as compared to other insects. They are smart folks, with some intelligence as well.

Some facts about cockroaches.

Well, we can use some of these facts to our advantage. 


                                                                                                                       ( Photo Courtesy: kodomut )

Home remedies for roaches 

 Nobody likes to have cockroaches crawling in the house. So use these remedies to drive them away. Some of them can even kill them.


1. Use The Food Chain
Roaches are after all insects. There are many species above it in the food chain, and they absolutely love roaches for dinner.

So, I guess your cat or your bird can do the job of mopping up cockroaches. They find it delicious to eat and nutritious as well.
2. Vacuum the entire house completely
Vacuuming is a brilliant way to get rid of roaches completely. There are two ways of doing it. If the number of cockroaches is small, then there is no need to move the furniture around. Just vacuum those locations where cockroaches are generally found. If the number of cockroaches is large, move the furniture out of the house. Then, completely vacuum clean the house including the corners and crevices. Clean the furniture separately and then bring it back into the house. It is the simplest and easiest way to get rid of roaches.




3. Diatomaceous Earth for roaches
Diatomaceous Earth is a kind of powder obtained from a rock. It is available in many varieties, but for household purposes, we use food grade DE.

How to use DE ?
Sprinkle DE all around the house once you have dried the floor. Also apply DE to nooks and crannies, near kitchen cabinets, baseboards and near any other woodwork. It also works outdoors, so you can use it on your deck and patio.
How long does it take Diatomaceous Earth to kill roaches ?
It can take up to a week for all cockroaches to be killed.
Why it works ?
DE feels like a powder to us. But, for insects, it feels like thorns. DE has crystals that have razor sharp edges. When insects move through it, they are cut. This drains their fluids and they die.



4. Soap and water
Take a large bucket and prepare a soapy solution in it. Use this soapy solution to clean the entire house. Cockroaches can be trapped in this slippery solution and get carried away.
They are easily killed by soap solution. It is simple and effective against roaches.
The only problem with this method is a clogged up drain. You may have to collect the roaches and dispose them off in the garden, where they turn into compost.




5. Cornstarch and Plaster of Paris 
Make a mixture of Cornstarch and Plaster of Paris (POP). Apply it on small holes, open areas, crevices and sections from which cockroaches can enter. Then close these areas. When it sets, the area gets plugged and cockroaches are trapped inside that area.




6. Caulking for cockroaches
Perform simple caulking to plug holes and breaks in the house. This further prevents the entry of roaches.
Caulking is the technique of plugging holes using a caulk gun. It uses a silicone based filler material which plugs holes. Just run it across baseboards, kitchen cabinets, any cracks and other possible entry points for the roaches.

Caulking, if done correctly, effectively closes all entry points. You just have to deal with cockroaches trapped inside the house, no more coming from outside.




5. Roach Traps 
Take few large jars. Keep something in it for the cockroaches, like some waste food. Rub a lot of petroleum jelly on the inner rim of the jar. Cockroaches would come for the food and enter into the jar. Then they will not be able to get out. Then, when the jars get filled with roaches, take these jars out in the wild or hand them to a pest control team.

You can also try other things besides crumbs of food, things that attract them most.






6. Night Bulbs
Is your home too dark in the night ? Well, you can illuminate some parts of it for the roaches. Since they hate light, they can't stand it and flee out, never to return.
Take low power color night bulbs or some LED lights, and install them in corners and baseboards. Also put them near the garbage cans and in the kitchen. The light penetrates their hideouts and they will eventually flee.
This technique may not work for all roach species.




7. Secure The Drain Plugs
One of the most popular entry points of roaches is through the drains. They live in the drains, and come up through leaks. So, secure all places where water enters the drains.




8. Natural substances that repel roaches : 
These substances deter roaches and can be placed at strategic locations in the house to prevent roaches from entering. 


9. De - Clutter Your Apartment
If vacuuming does not get rid of cockroaches, there is need for more thorough cleaning. De clutter your house by doing the following things.


10. Vinegar In The Drains
If there are thousands of roaches waiting to come up the drains, then pour white vinegar 


These are safe and effective remedies to get rid of roaches in the house without using any toxic chemicals. This is also a cheaper than a professional pest removal job.