Roaches are some of the most tenacious pests you can encounter. Apart from being a nuisance, they could pose health risks by exacerbating allergies and spreading infections.

You’ll be happy to hear that there are a number of easy and quick techniques to deal with infestations. You can permanently drive those opportunistic insects away with these ten doable hacks.

1. Identify the Problem Areas

Understanding their travel pattern and learning which places these pests are likely to infiltrate allows you to concentrate your efforts on the right areas. In return, this increases your chances of eliminating every last one of them.

These disagreeable bugs are nocturnal. During the day, they frequently hide in warm, humid, and dim places. Usually, these include basements, baths, kitchens, and laundry rooms.

Look for signs of their activity to uncover their hiding places. The earliest indicator of their presence will likely be their droppings. These are black or brown flecks, similar to ground coffee.

Oothecae, which is a fancy name for egg casings, are another clear sign. These are oval-shaped, sort of like inflated, curved beans. You will usually spot them in discreet corners or narrow spaces between cabinets and under appliances.

As these insects develop, they shed their outer covering, so be on the lookout for their dead skin as well.

2. Clean Thoroughly and Regularly

Food, water, and shelter are the three cornerstones those insatiable pests rely on for survival. Keeping your house clean makes it less appealing to them.

To cut off their access to these resources, sweep food crumbs and spills off the floor and wipe counters routinely. Even the smallest food particles will provide them with ample nutrition, so be as meticulous as possible when tidying up.

Pay especially close attention to the forgotten sections beneath the refrigerator and oven. Clean underneath your furniture and other appliances while you are at it to be on the safe side.

Additionally, keep sinks, bathrooms, and toilets clean and dry. Fixing leaks and tending to spills right away is quite important, too, as cockroaches are drawn to wetness.

You should routinely empty the garbage and make sure your bins are firmly shut as well.

Lastly, vacuum your carpets regularly to remove any concealed crumbs and clear away clutter so that those troublesome bugs would have nowhere to hide.

3. Seal Cracks and Gaps

These bugs are incredibly sneaky. They slither through the smallest openings and crevices. Once inside, they move freely from one room to another, searching for food and shelter.

You must secure all possible access points to stop them from getting inside and taking over your house.

Have a look around and try to spot any cracks and gaps around your windows and doors, along with any holes around your pipes and wiring. Seal these cracks with caulk, weatherstripping, or other appropriate fillers to make your home completely impenetrable.

Other common access points include baseboards, cabinets, and spaces under the sink, so be sure to block those as well.

4. Set Traps

Traps are the simplest and most successful method of cockroach removal out there. Usually found in hardware stores and supermarkets, these snares attract small, ravenous insects with bait and subsequently imprison them inside.

Sticky traps are the most common kind. They have a tacky surface on which bugs get caught as they attempt to get to the food.

Place them under the sinks or behind your appliances, where they usually hide.

Other types have a slow-acting poison disguised as bait. Since they cannot resist any type of food, those insatiable pests will eat the bait and then go back to their nests, where they die. If luck is on your side, they will expose their peers to the poison before they perish.

Regardless of which type you choose, be sure to set your snares in busy areas to deal with the infestation effectively.

5. Use Natural Repellents

Plenty of natural repellents can aid in removal if you prefer not to use chemical treatments. These can be just as successful in deterring different types of bugs. Plus, they are safe for households with pets and children.

Lavender, eucalyptus, and peppermint oils drive pests away with their strong smell. Mix a few generous drops of your chosen essential oil with water, and drizzle the solution in the locations where you have noticed signs of activity.

Be sure to sprinkle it around their entrance points as well to cover all the bases.

Diatomaceous earth is another natural yet powerful insecticide. It dissolves the bugs’ exoskeletons, drying them up from the outside in and ultimately killing them.

Once again, sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous in the areas they frequent, namely beneath appliances, in hidden crevices, and along baseboards. Then, forget about it until you start seeing their bodies. This is how you know it worked.

6. Fix Water Leaks and Eliminate Moisture

Cockroaches are drawn to water. Keeping surfaces dry, fixing leaks, and preventing moisture accumulation are all vital for their elimination.

These irksome bugs will find even the smallest amounts of water. In order to prevent moisture-related issues, spend some time inspecting your home.

Check for leaky pipes or fittings beneath sinks and behind appliances or toilets. Should you find any, tend to them immediately to avoid a bigger infestation.

Also, make sure sinks, bathtubs, and showers are free of standing water. Make it a habit to clean damp surfaces regularly to keep them dry.

7. Call a Professional Exterminator

Using a certified specialist can be a prudent decision if the infestation continues in spite of your best attempts.

Eliminating pests can occasionally be challenging, particularly if they have spread throughout your home. Experts in pest control have access to stronger remedies that the general public does not have easy access to.

Many cockroach removal services even provide safe, environmentally friendly treatments for homes with young children and pets. Apart from eliminating the current problem, a competent exterminator will also provide guidance on how to avoid future outbreaks.

8. Remove Food Sources

Even though they can survive on little amounts of food, those gluttonous bugs seek out every crumb they come across anyway. Eliminating them largely depends on making sure all food is securely kept.

Store every item, including pet food, in airtight containers. Choose tightly sealed glass or hard plastic containers, as these insects can easily slither through holes in cardboard boxes and plastic bags.

Additionally, you must deal with spills on the counter or crumbs on the floor right away. These opportunistic eaters can be tempted by even the smallest food scraps.

Eliminating food sources helps you diminish their chances of survival significantly.

9. Use Boric Acid for Persistent Problems

Boric acid is a tried-and-true approach for cockroach control. When applied correctly, this naturally-occurring chemical is safe for humans and pets yet deadly for bugs.

You must use it lightly for it to work. If you pour it in small mounds, those sly pests will avoid them. Instead, apply just a fine layer to draw them close enough.

Sprinkle a bit in the areas we have mentioned earlier, where they usually lurk. The boric acid will stick to their legs as they walk by. They will then consume it while grooming themselves and die a while afterwards.

Keep in mind that it acts slowly, though. Despite being quite efficient, it can take several days to kick in. So, be ready to reapply it as necessary.

10. Prevent Future Infestations

Just because you have successfully dealt with the infestation does not mean that your work here is done. You still need to ensure that they cannot return. This mostly depends on periodic maintenance and a few simple precautionary measures.

Keeping a clean house is a must to avoid future infestations. To achieve this, routinely wipe down surfaces, vacuum carpeted areas, and mop hard floors.

Regular inspections are crucial as well. Every couple of months, look for cracks and gaps around your house and seal them immediately if you come across any.

Lastly, never leave food uncovered overnight and always use airtight containers to store your dry ingredients.

If pest infestations are common in your neighbourhood, keep an eye out for any fresh signs of roach activity so you can deal with them before they spread.

Conclusion

With these surefire steps, you can successfully eradicate these bugs from your house and stop their return.

To address an infestation head-on, deal with vulnerable access points, remove food and water sources, clean regularly, and employ pest control tools and repellents.

Do not hesitate to contact a professional exterminator if needed to keep your home bug-free.