Good old-fashioned soap and water is a safe, reliable, and inexpensive method. Create a soapy water solution that you can spray with a bottle. It will only take about 2 – 3 sprays to kill any roaches, as the soapy solution will cover their breathing pores and suffocate them.
The soapy bubbles clog up their roachy book lungs which usually kills them in under 90 seconds, unlike roach sprays that have them twitching for 5+ minutes after you spray them. The soapy water works especially well on roaches because it prevents them from climbing walls.
Something as simple as spraying soap water on cockroaches can haunt their existence. Pouring a soap solution on cockroaches blocks their pores and kills them instantly.
Body soap and shampoo can also be effective solutions, as they can block the roach's spiracles, or the respiratory pores, and essentially cause the roach to suffocate.
You may love the smell of fresh citrus, but cockroaches hate the scent. That means you can use citrus scented cleaners in your kitchen and bathroom to chase any lingering roaches away. You can also keep a few citrus peels around your home in strategic places.
Boric acid Some people find this to be the best option to kill roaches. Boric acid can work too, the only downside is that sometimes roaches will go away as soon as they smell boric acid.
The best way to keep cockroaches away permanently is to make the home less inviting. Make sure to keep the home clean, clean up food messes, take out trash at the end of the day, seal any cracks or gaps around windows, doors and the foundation, and fix any issue that might lead to high moisture content within the home.
By keeping a clean dwelling, you'll give roaches less of a reason to intrude upon your happy home. There is more to keeping roaches at bay than just having spotless floors, however. Let's look at potential trouble spots that you may have overlooked during your most recent cleaning spree or inspection.
Another home remedy for cockroaches is to spray them with isopropyl alcohol. But since this isn't a recommended form of pest control, there isn't much data on the exact amount and concentration needed to kill cockroaches. This is a less-than-ideal solution for several reasons.
Boric acid is a powerful natural home remedy for getting rid of roaches overnight. Mix equal amounts of boric acid, flour, and sugar until it becomes a dough-like consistency. Place small pieces where the roaches can feed on them.
Listerine and Washing up Liquid
Using listerine (or other mouthwash) with a bit of washing up liquid will help repel the roaches away. Mix equal parts listerine and water and add a few drops of washing up liquid. Give it a good shake in the spray bottle and either spray around the house or directly at the cockroaches.
Essential oils can be a very effective – and natural – way to deter roaches. But it's important to choose the right ones! So what smell do roaches hate? Oregano, rosemary, mint, eucalyptus, lemongrass and catnip are great herby options.
The conditions in a kitchen drain are conducive to cockroaches: damp, dark, cool, with easy access to bits of food and water. Discourage roaches from hanging out in this area, and coming further into your home, by pouring boiling water down the drain often. This kills any insects, as well as eggs, that may be hiding.
Soap and Water
Just like the fabric softener solution, mixing soap with water can kill roaches on contact.
Sprinkle the diatomaceous earth around areas where roaches travel and frequent. The sharp particles of diatomaceous earth damage the waxy, protective exoskeleton of the roach, causing it to dehydrate and die, typically within 48 hours of contact.
And it's not just artificial light that cockroaches dislike. They're not fond of natural light either. Because of this, you're unlikely to see them during the daytime. If you do notice one during the day, it may be because the roach got crowded out of its home or was forced out of hiding due to a lack of food.
Cockroach Bites
They have been recorded to eat human flesh of both the living and the dead, although they are more likely to take a bite of fingernails, eyelashes, feet and hands. The bites may cause irritation, lesions and swelling. Some have suffered from minor wound infections.
Distilled vinegar does not kill or repel roaches, making it completely ineffective. Distilled vinegar will help keep your kitchen clean, giving cockroaches less to snack on. However, roaches can live for months at a time without any food at all, and they will eat almost anything to survive.
It's a fact that cockroaches are afraid of humans and other mammals or animals that are bigger than them. They see us as predators and that fear triggers their instinct to scatter away. However, they dislike strong and distinctive scents such as citrus, peppermint, lavender and vinegar.
Do Roaches Get Worse After Spraying? Are you seeing more roaches after you spent money on professional pest services? Don't fret – that means it's working! You'll likely notice more roaches than usual immediately after beginning treatment, but that's because they're trying to escape the chemicals killing them.
Keep Your Home Clean: Cockroaches won't be quick to leave if they can find something to eat. Clean up crumbs and spills. Store food in airtight containers. Keep your trash covered and remove it daily.
Keep your sleeping quarters free of food and moisture. Reduce clutter. Regularly empty your trash. Make sure all openings to the outside (windows and doors, primarily) are well sealed.