How to Get Rid of Cockroaches in Your Home

In one year, around 11% of American households report seeing cockroaches—and many more may have roaches hiding out of sight.

Many people are terrified of cockroaches, and for good reason. These small but mighty pests can spread disease, cause digestive distress, and trigger allergy and breathing problems.

If you’re seeing cockroaches in your home, you must act fast to eliminate them for good. Read on to learn how to get rid of cockroaches in your home.

Keep Cockroaches Out

If you’re already spotting cockroaches in your home, it’s likely more will find their way in too. However, you can take a few steps to keep them out, making it easier to control the cockroach population.

To prevent new cockroaches from entering, be sure to:

• seal holes and gaps around windows and doors
• inspect your roof for any holes or cracks
• eliminate food sources
• regularly take out the trash
• place screens on windows, vents, and sliding doors
• inspect clothing and furniture before bringing it into your home, especially if it came from a thrift store or yard sale
• clean up your garden, eliminating standing water and gathering leaves and other debris

Following these steps can make your home less inviting to cockroaches looking for a place to hide.

Try Natural Solutions

If your cockroach infestation is minor, with only the occasional cockroach sighting, natural solutions may be enough to rid your home of these pests.

There are several natural agents that can be sprinkled or placed around your home, especially near windows and doors and in cracks, such as between your refrigerator and your kitchen counter.

Boric acid, borax, baking soda, and diatomaceous earth can be sprinkled around your home or combined with sugar to attract hungry roaches. When they come in contact with these substances, the cockroaches will eventually die—often in their nests, where other roaches are then exposed to the poison too.

Though these products are natural, they can be harmful to pets and small children, so apply them in hard-to-reach places.

You can also spray citrus oils and essential oils derived from peppermint or lemongrass to deter roaches.

Stock Up on Conventional Pesticides

If natural solutions aren’t enough cockroach control for your home, conventional pesticides may be your best bet.

You can find a variety of products that promise to trap and/or kill cockroaches, including bait stations, glue traps, and sprays.

For severe infestations, you can also try cockroach bombs, though this type of pesticide should only be used as a last resort.

Call Professional Pest Control

If you need to get rid of cockroaches fast, a pest control company can help. They have the chemicals and tools needed to tackle both small and large infestations. To find the best pest control company in Ohio or other areas, simply search for ‘Ohio pest control experts‘ on Google.

Read more about professional pest control services here.

Ready to Get Rid of Cockroaches?

If you’re tired of finding cockroaches scurrying through your home, get rid of cockroaches with the tips discussed above. Then, you can have the peace of mind you deserve.

For more home and lifestyle tips, check out our other articles!