This article – How to Keep cockroaches away 9 easy methods to keep bugs away and prevent cockroaches, is your one-stop solution for getting rid of a cockroach infestation from your house.
Here we have method conventional as well as non-conventional methods of saying goodbye to a cockroach infestation.
Table of Contents
What Type of Cockroaches Are in My Home?
There are various types of cockroaches, but only a few can become problematic for homeowners. These are the three most common roach species in the U.S.: German cockroaches, American cockroaches, and brown-banded cockroaches.
They can be found in a number of places in your home, including kitchens, bathrooms, and sewers.
German Cockroaches
German cockroaches are the most prevalent type of cockroach found in the United States. They are about 1/2 inch long, have a light brown color, and typically live in warm, moist environments.
They can be found throughout the country but are more common in the southern states. German cockroaches reproduce very quickly and can produce an infestation of more than 30,000 individuals in a single year.
They typically have two stripes going down their back. All cockroaches German cockroaches have flattened bodies, long hind legs, and antennae.
Brown-Banded Cockroaches
Brown-banded cockroaches are a common type of cockroach. They are about 0.7″ in length and tend to be dark brown. They like warm, dry areas and can commonly be found inside walls or electronics.
American Cockroaches
The American cockroaches are the largest type of cockroach and can be found throughout most of the world. They are reddish-brown in color and have a characteristic yellow band around their head.
They are omnivorous and feed on a variety of things, including food, pet food, paper, wood, and other insects. They are included in the category of a pest because they can contaminate food, spread disease, and cause allergies.
There are various ways to keep them away from your home or business.
What Attracts Roaches to My Home?
There are many reasons why roaches might be attracted to your home. One of the most common reasons is that they are looking for food.
Roaches are attracted to organic material and moisture in the environment, so if you have a lot of spills or leaks, it will make your home more appealing to them.
In addition, if you do not keep your home clean and free of clutter, it will be easier for roaches to hide and thrive. Prominent things that roaches are attracted to inside our homes include.
Food sources
Cockroaches are omnivores and will eat anything, including food sources that attract other pests. They are especially drawn to garbage, dirty dishes, and rotting food.
That is why it is important to clean up any spills or messes immediately and to store food in airtight containers. Additionally, cockroaches have a life cycle that includes four stages: egg, nymph, adult, and pupa.
If you can eliminate the eggs and juveniles, you can greatly reduce the population of cockroaches in your home or business.
Shelter
Cockroaches seek shelter in people’s homes. Roaches may reside behind picture frames, in hollowed-out wood, in wet spots such as by the sink or the toilet, or in the backs of your devices, depending on the species.
As the weather gets colder outdoors, roaches will seek refuge within. They prefer peaceful, neglected places and can be found living beneath huge appliances, in basement corners, and in attics.
Location
Roaches are attracted to locations where unsanitary conditions exist. A variety of factors can cause this but often includes areas where there is food or water present, as well as areas that are dirty or have high levels of humidity.
Gaps in window seals and doors can also attract roaches, as they provide easy access to my house.
Water
Cockroaches need water to survive and will enter homes looking for leaks. Leaky pipes and faucets are common attractants for roaches. You can fix your leaky pipes and faucets, or you can use a cockroach repellent to keep them away.
Landscaping
Landscaping plays a major role in how roaches interact with your property. Roaches are attracted to water sources, so it is important to avoid having any standing water in your landscaping.
Additionally, make sure there are no food sources available, as these will also attract roaches.
Should I Repel or Kill Roaches?
It is ideal for repelling cockroaches as a preventative approach, but eliminating them is the most effective pest management method.
How to keep cockroaches away: 9 easy methods to keep bugs away
Cockroaches are one of the most resilient and hardy creatures on earth. A very famous myth that goes around is that they can survive a nuclear blast and live in some of the harshest surroundings known to man.
However, they are very difficult to get rid of, but it is not impossible. There are various ways to put an end to cockroach infestations, including using pesticides, traps, and natural remedies.
Clean Up
Cockroaches love food and grease, so it is important to clean up after yourself. This means keeping your kitchen clean, disposing of garbage properly, and not leaving food out.
Additionally, you should keep decaying vegetation and materials away from your home as they provide a conducive environment for cockroaches.
Always remember that sanitary homes are happy homes.
Keep Them Out
There are various ways to keep cockroaches out of your home. One is to seal up any cracks and holes on the exterior of your home. You can also fix weather stripping around doors and windows, as well as any other areas where there may be holes in your baseboards or walls pr critters.
Don’t Give Them Water
Cockroaches can survive for around five days without their heads but will dehydrate quickly if not given water. One of the topmost essential things you can do to help keep cockroaches away is to fix any leaks in your house – even small ones.
This will help minimize the population of mosquitoes as well. Additionally, try to minimize water sitting around where mosquitoes can breed – this will help reduce the number of mosquitoes in your area.
Using Listerine
Listerine is said to be an effective baby roach repellent. As a result, using it to keep roaches at bay is successful. Take one quantity of Listerine and mix it with an equal amount of water.
You can also add five drops of dishwashing gel to make it more effective. Fill a spray bottle halfway with the solution and spray in areas where cockroaches are common.
Boric Acid Paste
The boric acid paste is a mixture of boric acid powder, flour, sugar, and water. It is non-toxic and harmless to humans and pets.
You can make your own boric acid paste by mixing all the ingredients in a bowl and letting it dry into a semi-solid form. You can then apply it to areas where you see cockroaches.
Baking soda is also an option to control cockroach activity in your house.
Bay Leaves
Bay leaves are a natural pesticide that can be used to control roaches. They work by releasing a scent that cockroaches don’t like and will drive them away.
Bay leaves are also effective in repelling other pests, such as spiders and bats, and improving air quality. You can place bay leaves around the home to deter pests and improve air quality. Neem oil can also be used.
Mint Spray
Cockroaches hate mint. Put about 18 drops of mint extract in 100 ml water and spray where roaches are usually found to stop roach activity in your house and yard. Lemon Juice can also be used.
Avoid Getting Paper-bags in Your House
One of the ways to keep cockroaches away is to avoid getting paper bags in your house. The team of roaches is attracted to the glue that holds paper bags together, and their eggs get laid in the glue. When you bring the paper bag inside, you are also bringing in the roaches and their eggs.
Acetic Acid Spray
Acetic acid is a natural compound that is found in vinegar. It can be used in multiple ways to keep pests away.
One way to use this cockroach spray is to spray it on cockroach nests and areas where they are known to congregate, such as sinks and drains. Acetic acid can also be used as a pesticide to kill cockroaches.
Scents That Roaches Hate And How To Use Them?
There are many reasons to keep cockroaches away. Not only are they unsightly and disgusting, but they can also cause a variety of health problems.
Cockroaches spread allergens and asthma, and they can also carry pathogens that can lead to serious illness. That’s why it’s important to use scents that roaches hate to help repel them from your home. A few scents that cockroaches hate are –
Minty Smells Repulse Cockroaches
The smell of mint repels cockroaches. In fact, they can’t stand it. This is why using a minty essential oil like corn mint oil is so effective at keeping them away.
You can use the essential oil in a variety of ways, but one of the most popular methods is to mix 12-16 drops with every cup of water. Then, you’ll want to spray it in areas where cockroaches might be, such as cracks, openings, and holes.
Cockroaches Hate Citronella
The scent of citronella repels cockroaches. You can use a citronella candle to repel them, but they are not very effective. Citronella oil is a more effective way to repel cockroaches. You can use it in several ways, including spraying it around your home, adding it to a DIY bug spray, or using a diffuser.
The Sweet Scent of Pine
There are many various ways to keep cockroaches away, but one of the most natural and effective methods is using a product that contains beta-pinene.
Beta-pinene is a terpene that comes from pine trees, cedar trees, parsley, and other plants. It has a scent similar to basil and hops, which cockroaches find unpleasant. In some cases, using a product that contains beta-pinene can eliminate cockroaches altogether.
You can buy products that contain beta-pinene in oil form. Simply add ten drops to a cup of water, and you’re ready to start spraying!
Thyme To Repel Cockroaches
Cockroaches are a common household pest and can be difficult to get rid of. One way to repel cockroaches is by using thyme. Thyme is an easy-to-find and inexpensive herb that can be used as a natural pest control method.
You can use fresh thyme in various ways to keep cockroaches away from your home. You can use it as a natural pest control method by incorporating it into your daily routine or adding it to your home remedies arsenal.
Use Basil To Keep Roaches Away
Basil is a well-known herb that has many different uses. One of these is as a roach repellent. The essential oil in basil, beta-pinene, drives cockroaches away. You can either grow your own basil in your yard or buy it at the store.
If you have an infestation of roaches, simply crush up some leaves and place them where the roaches are congregating. You can also put a few drops of the essential oil on a cotton ball and leave it in areas where you see the most activity.
Citrus Fruits Can Repel Roaches
Citrus fruits are effective in repelling roaches. The peels of these fruits contain a compound that roaches do not like and will keep away. You can place citrus rinds where you see the most cockroaches for the best effect.
How do Exterminators Get Rid of Roaches?
If you are experiencing a cockroach infestation, the best solution is to hire a professional exterminator. They will use pesticides and other methods to kill the bugs.
You may also see them do mechanical treatments, such as vacuuming. It may take several visits before the pests are eliminated completely.
Step 1: The Inspection
When you call a cockroach control expert, they will come to your property to inspect the infestation. They’ll look for areas where the roaches are accessing your home and sources of moisture or food that may be enticing them.
They’ll also identify the species of cockroach you’re dealing with and formulate a plan for cockroach control.
Step 2: The First Treatment
A treatment plan for your home is created based on the information gathered during the initial examination. Because cockroaches are a difficult pest to exterminate, a two-step technique is used to eliminate them.
Depending on the degree of your infestation, preliminary treatment may include cockroach baiting, monitoring, trapping, or spraying, as well as training, cleaning and sanitization services, or insect growth regulators. Cockroach monitors are placed at this step to gauge activity.
Step Three: The Follow-Up Visit
The follow-up visit is an important part of the cockroach treatment process. It is conducted a few days after the initial treatment to check the results and determine if any additional treatments are needed. If more treatments are required, they will be deployed as needed.
Summary
There are a variety of ways to keep cockroaches away from your home. To start, you can clear out any clutter in your bedroom and vacuum, sweep, and dust your entire home each week. You can also make use of caulk to fill in cracks and replace damaged vent screens. Additionally, you can wrap silicone tape around bedposts to keep bugs away.
