We all want to know how to get rid of cockroaches at home. The main reason? They’re pests!
Cockroaches are not just fast and ugly insects but also a source of many diseases. These insects are attracted to dirt and rotten things and spread them all around your home. It is very important to remove them from your house to maintain hygiene. But, cockroaches have a reputation for being indestructible. Do not worry. Here are some easy hacks on how to get rid of cockroaches without running behind them with a rolled magazine.
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Types of cockroaches
In Australia, there are 6 types of cockroaches commonly seen invading your home. These are
- Australian cockroach
- Oriental cockroach
- Brown Banded cockroach
- Smoky Brown cockroach
- German cockroach
- American cockroach
Amongst these, the German cockroaches are also known as small cockroaches.
What are white cockroaches?
Another kind of cockroach not mentioned in this list is the white cockroach. These are the baby cockroaches just starting to moult into adult ones. If you see these running around your house, it is a sign of cockroach infestation. Get rid of the cockroaches using the following methods.
DIY cockroach bait
To get a solution on how to get rid of cockroaches, you need to dice one onion and sprinkle a spoonful of baking soda on them. Place this in a shallow bowl near the source of their entry.
The onions will attract the cockroaches, and as soon as they eat the baking soda, their stomach will burst due to the reaction.
This cockroach killer method is very easy as the ingredients are readily available in any home kitchen. The only downside of this method is that you later have to clean cockroach or their remains.
Use citrus to deter the cockroaches
Another easy answer to how to get rid of cockroaches is using citrus. The refreshing fragrance of citrus fruits is well accepted by humans but has the opposite effect on cockroaches.
You need to mix the juice of a lemon in water and use this to clean your house. The cockroaches will leave your home soon after the application. This will, however, not kill the roaches but stray them away. For optimum results, use this technique regularly.
Use glue strips to trap the cockroaches
Buy good quality cockroach glue strips to get a solution for how to get rid of cockroaches. First, examine your home to find the source of the infestation. After marking the places, stick these glue strips on the floor and walls.
The smell of the glue strips attracts the cockroaches, and they get stuck on these strips. Remove the strips carefully when it fills with dead cockroaches or when you notice they have lost the sticking capacity.
Pour this into your drainage pipe
Make a mixture of hot water and white vinegar in a 3:1 ratio. This mixture acts like a disinfectant as well as the smell of the vinegar will keep the cockroaches away.
Pour this mixture into your basin to clean the pipe and prevent the cockroaches from climbing it. This is another brilliant idea on how to get rid of cockroaches.
Use boric acid and sugar
This is a very old remedy for cockroach infestation but a very effective solution to the problem of how to get rid of cockroaches. Just mix sugar granules with boric acid. Spread this mixture across all the areas you see high cockroach activities. The sweet aroma of the sugar will lure the cockroaches, but the boric acid will act like a cockroach killer.
Essential oils to the rescue
Apart from being great for a skincare routine, helping your insomnia, or being used for aromatherapy, essential oils help repel the cockroaches. Peppermint is the best oil for this purpose. However, you can even use spearmint oil, tea tree oil, or neem oil to get an equally effective answer to how to get rid of cockroaches.
Take a spray bottle and mix a few drops of the essential oil. Spray this solution on all the places you suspect cockroach invasion. This will make your house smell amazing while keeping the cockroaches at bay.
Add a little spice
Bay leaf and black peppercorn can be used to cook and keep these insects away. Just crush these two together and sprinkle in between your kitchen cabinets.
You can also try boiling the leaf and spraying the water all around your house if you want a more robust remedy of how to get rid of cockroaches.
How to get rid of roaches overnight
If these pesky tiny insects are still bothering you with their presence, it is necessary to try something strong. Sometimes even after trying everything, you wonder how to get rid of cockroaches.
For this, go to any departmental store and buy the best cockroach killer spray. These cockroach repellent sprays come with a long narrow pipe as a stout. Insert this pipe and spray in hard to reach places where the roaches reside.
For best results, spray it before going to bed and dispose of the bodies the morning after.
Clear the clutter
The best way to get rid of cockroaches is to cut off their food and water supply. This means you need to clear out the clutter in your house attracting these roaches. Here are some of the easy things you can do:
Keep your kitchen clean
If you wake up in the middle of the night to grab some snacks but instead get horrified by the sight of cockroaches, then it is time to clean your kitchen.
Cockroaches will invade your kitchen for the bread crumbs on the floor or the greasy gravy you have on your countertop.
Make sure to clean the kitchen every night before going to bed. Regularly clean your counters and throw away the expired food items. Avoid keeping food in your pet’s bowl all night.
Cut off the water supply
Examine and fix leaky faucets in your bathroom and kitchen. Even a few drops of stagnant water can attract roaches overnight. Swipe clean the basins before going to bed.
Seal the entry points
Look for cracks and crevices in the door and windows. Use clay or sticky strips to stop the cockroaches from entering your home. Stop their infestation before you start to question how to get rid of cockroaches.
Throw away your garbage
Your garbage contains all sorts of stale and rotten food, which is a treat for the roaches. Make sure to take out your garbage bag regularly. When inside, seal the bag completely to keep it cockroach free.
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