How to Get Rid of Cockroaches
Cockroaches can sneak in your home without you even knowing. They, just like many other pests and rodents have many reasons to try and come in. Their main reasons for coming in are food and water. No one wants to find cockroaches in the kitchen at night! Thankfully, there are many pretty simple ways you can keep them out.
Kitchen
Moving any and all appliances that are able to be moved and cleaning the crumbs, dirt and dust that have accumulated behind and around them. Removing all of this will give them less of a reason to stick around.
Wipe down all of the surfaces in the kitchen. Things like outsides of appliances, counters are places to focus on. Sweeping and mopping the floor very frequently is also very important.
Borax
Borax isn’t safe for household pets so when using this method be sure that it is placed in spots that they cannot access. Sprinkle a thin layer of borax behind the appliances before you slide them back in place.
Keep Things Dry
Cockroaches are likely coming in for water as well. If you eliminate the possibilities for them to find water they are less likely to come in. Check under all of your sinks to make sure those are dry. Checking under your water heater is important was well. Another place that is common for them to seek water is your washing machine hoses. Any of these places being wet will give them a reason to stick around.
Air Tight Seals
Keeping spices, condiments, pet food and any other food in air tight containers. Keeping the outside of the containers clean as well. Along with keeping the containers clean make sure to keep the containers sealed when they aren’t in use.
Vacuum
Vacuuming frequently will help to keep them out too. When you do vacuum make sure to get into all of the nooks and crannies that you may skip over sometimes.
Dirty Clothes
Keeping the ever growing pile of dirty laundry under control will too, especially if your laundry room is in the basement.
Peppermint Oil
Whether it is a peppermint spray or peppermint oil on a cotton ball, this is a perfectly natural way to deter cockroaches. Be sure to spray or replace cotton balls every few days in order to keep the scent strong.
Bay Leaves
Bay leaves are a smell that naturally repels cockroaches. This can be a more expensive approach as the price of these can add up quickly. Ordering online can help cut the cost a little bit.
Catnip
The active ingredient in catnip is Nepetalactone which is also a natural cockroach deterrent. The spray catnip is the most effective way to apply the catnip where needed. You can either buy the premade spray or, boil catnip leaves and make your own.
Petroleum Jelly
Jar
If you only have a few cockroaches, this is the way to go. Coat the inside of the jar in petroleum jelly and place a banana peel in the bottom. Place the uncovered jar in a dark place. The scent of the banana peel will draw the cockroaches in but, the inside of the jar will be slippery and not allow them to escape.
Box
If you feel like you are infested with cockroaches this may be the best choice for you. Using a cardboard box, coat the inside with petroleum jelly. In the center of the box place a food item (like a banana peel). Open the box lid at night to allow the cockroaches to get in and close it in the morning. This way the cockroaches that got in will die.
Cockroaches are pretty sneaky when it comes to getting into your house. Make sure to keep things clean and dry are your first defenses in keeping cockroaches out of your house. If they do happen to sneak in, I hope these solutions work for you.