Actisol Treatment For Roaches? The 49 Latest Answer

Compact unit – general information

The Actisol® Compact Unit mixes a small amount of insecticide with a large amount of air and atomizes the mixture in a special nozzle. The atomizing nozzle produces a high proportion of ideally sized insecticide particles in a continuous, high volume stream of air. The aerosol penetrates further to reach target insects in the most hidden recesses of cracks, crevices and cavities. This enhanced penetration is DEEP HARBORAGE pest control.

anodizing option

All Actisol® Compact units are available with a special anodizing treatment.

Available colors are: Black, Blue, Clear, Green, Red

The benefits of anodizing include:

Cost – Lower initial completion costs combined with lower maintenance costs for greater long-term value.

Health and Safety – Anodizing is a safe process that is not harmful to human health. An anodized surface is chemically stable, will not degrade; is non-toxic; and is heat resistant up to the melting point of aluminum (1,221 degrees F). Because the anodizing process is an enhancement of a naturally occurring oxide process, it is non-hazardous and produces no harmful or hazardous by-products.

Ease of Maintenance – Scars and wear and tear from manufacturing, handling, installation, frequent surface cleaning and use are virtually non-existent. Rinsing or cleaning with mild soap and water will usually restore an anodized finish to its original appearance. For more difficult deposits, mild abrasive cleaners can be used.

Durability – Most anodized products have an extremely long service life and offer significant economic benefits through maintenance and operational savings. Anodizing is a reactive finish that integrates with the underlying aluminum to ensure complete bonding and unmatched adhesion.

Aesthetics – Anodizing offers a wide and increasing number of gloss and color alternatives and minimizes or eliminates color variations. Unlike other surface treatments, aluminum retains its metallic appearance when anodized.

Color Stability – Anodic exterior coatings offer good stability to UV rays, will not chip or peel, and are easily repeatable.

Preparations and guidelines for ULV aerosol applications

(Malli’s Handbook of Pest Control, Ninth Edition)

Everyone in the treatment area must wear an approved respirator during treatment and when re-entering a treated area when the aerosol may still be present.

Turn off all pilot lights or sources of open flames. Ventilation systems and air movement systems should be shut down. Devices that regularly generate high heat should be turned off. Computers and other electrical devices should be turned off, covered, or removed from the treatment area.

All employees who are not pest control workers must leave the treatment area. Cover or remove ornamental plants. Cover and seal all aquariums. Aquarium filters must be turned off and only turned on again when the aerosol is no longer present. Pets, including exotic pets (birds, amphibians, reptiles, arachnids) must be removed. Re-entry for exotic pets is not recommended for a 24-hour period.

All exposed food must be removed or placed in containers that prevent contact with the insecticide. Food preparation utensils and surfaces must be covered or thoroughly cleaned before reuse.

Close and lock all entrances. Professionals should consider posting warning signs on doors leading to the treatment site.

Open all doors, cabinets, closets, and drawers in the treatment area.

Thoroughly ventilate treatment area before reoccupying.

Do not use gasoline-powered equipment in grist mills, corn mills, grain stores, or grain processing areas. Grain/flour dust can be highly explosive. Electrically operated units must be certified as explosion-proof for these locations. Check with manufacturers for certification details.

credentials

Fighting cockroaches can make you feel like you’re on the losing side of an all-out invasion. After all, these insects did not survive for hundreds of millions of years because they are easy to get rid of. But armed with some know-how and the right products, you can at least keep them out of your kitchen. We spoke to two cockroach experts, each with more than 40 years of experience. After combining their input with our own first hand testing, we recommend starting with some free resources and then upgrading to Terro T500 Multi-Surface Roach Baits when needed.

Also, skip the sprays. We’ve discovered roach remedies that don’t work — and some of them come with their own risks.

Bait stations can work. You may also need to switch to gels or powders. We have tips for everyone.

Roaches are stubborn, so you may need to broaden your approach to include bait gels and powders. We’ve got recommendations for these, as well as advice on things that don’t work, including kill-on-contact sprays, bombs, and smoke machines.

Our Pick Terro T500 Multi-Surface Roach Baits Best Roach Killer Terro’s traps are easier to monitor than the competition. And they stay put on vertical surfaces, so you can place them near roaches. Purchase Options $9* on Amazon *Price at time of publication was $10.

The Terro T500 Multi-Surface Roach Baits are small cartridges filled with insect bait – a mix of food and a slow-acting venom. The delayed action of the venom increases its overall potency, as it allows a roach to pass the venom to other roaches before the roach dies (and even after; if you want to go straight to the disgusting details of how this works, be our guest ). The Terro bait stations have a number of features that most roach baits lack, making them the most convenient and user-friendly option we’ve found. The top of the bait station is exposed so you can easily monitor how much bait is left and if the roaches are entering at all. The Terro stations are also one of the few that come with adhesive strips so they can be mounted to a vertical surface. This allows you to place the bait station near cockroaches. Gels are also effective, but the trapped terro station has far less potential to get messy or be accidentally consumed by a pet or child.

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If the Terro Bait Stations aren’t available, we also like the Advion 68663 Cockroach Bait Arena. These share the same great features as the Terro stations: a clear top (for monitoring) and the adhesive strips (allow for versatile placement). With the Advion lures, the plastic top is heavily tinted so it is not as easy to see the inside. Advion is a brand that caters to pest professionals, so these baits are not that easy to find in brick-and-mortar stores. They’re also sold in bulk – the smallest bag available contains 12 baits (Terro stations come in packs of six). So you can end up with a huge surplus.

If you’ve been trying baits for a few weeks with little success, experts recommend that you switch to a powder or gel and we’d start with Combat Max Roach Killing Gel. Each powder or gel gives you more uses per purchase and more versatile placement options. But powders and gels are messier than bait stations and less safe from interference from pets and children. (Combat’s specific Material Safety Data Sheet (PDF) lists mild potential reactions from skin or eye contact.) The active ingredients here are no better than those in the Terro or Advion baits, but a simple product switch can help resolve your infestation. The main advantage of the gel over a bait (or powder) is that it is flexible as to where you can place it. Cockroaches like to live in small cracks and crevices. So applying the gel there in a thin bead is a type of targeted approach often chosen by pest controllers.

The Terro T530 Roach Bait Powder is another option. And while it’s not quite as neat as a bait station and isn’t able to stick to a vertical surface, it’s effective if you can attach it right where roaches live. This powder bait comes in a pump dispenser with a 2 inch long applicator, and each pump dispenses less than 1/16th of a teaspoon of bait powder. The applicator nozzle is very precise and is good for getting into hard-to-reach places, e.g. B. under the fridge. Other powders we’ve tried come in larger squeeze bottles and are much more difficult to portion out in small amounts. One thing we really appreciated in testing is that a powder doesn’t get totally sticky if you accidentally poke or rub your hand in it. The Terro Bait Powder is also a very economical choice if you are dealing with a larger infestation or if you may be dealing with roaches on a long-term basis. Each small canister contains around 150 bait applications, allowing you to bait in many different places, increasing your chances of success.

Cockroaches are nothing less than a disease. They thrive wherever they can, spreading disease and inspiring fear in the bravest of hearts. We bet you would like to know how to get rid of cockroaches overnight. While getting professional help to get rid of roaches is a good option, we also have several home remedies for roaches. These methods involve things that are usually available at home. Read on to find out how to get rid of cockroaches with home remedies.

What attracts cockroaches?

Cockroaches thrive in dirty, damp conditions. If you want these home remedies to work against roaches, make sure there aren’t any leftover food or spilled water for them to thrive in.

#1: Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink

A dirty sink is a breeding ground for cockroaches

One of the most common causes of a cockroach infestation is dirty dishes in the sink. It’s always a good idea to wash your dishes right after you eat. Avoid leaving them in the sink overnight.

#2: Clean up your trash

Open garbage cans attract pests

Garbage and every roach home remedy you can think of will never go hand in hand! If you have open and overflowing garbage cans in your home, there are bound to be some pests around. Opt for trash cans with lids to maintain hygiene. Separate rubbish and dispose of it regularly.

#3: Scoop up any food crumbs

Keep your floors clean

Cockroaches can generally be found near food crumbs and scraps. No wonder the kitchen is her favorite room! Always keep your kitchen clean. Sweep the floor and wipe down the kitchen countertops after cooking.

Home remedies for cockroaches you can try

Indians love to use home remedies for cockroaches. We are always armed with our lakshmanrekhas, acids and other approved remedies. Building on that, here is our list of how to get rid of cockroaches using home remedies.

#1: Sprinkle a pinch of boric acid

Just a squirt of this insecticide can kill cockroaches

Boric acid is considered one of the best home remedies for cockroaches. If you’re wondering how to get rid of roaches with boric acid, just sprinkle a little of this powder in corners and floors and let it sit. If cockroaches come into contact with it, they die. However, boric acid is not effective when wet. A word of caution – this powder is toxic and should be kept out of the reach of children and pets at all times.

#2: Baking soda is a handy home remedy for roaches

Mix baking soda with sugar for a killer combo

This method is a classic example of fish and bait as a solution to getting rid of roaches. A mixture of baking soda and sugar is an effective roach killer and controls the reproduction of these pests. Sugar acts as bait to attract cockroaches and the baking soda kills them. All you have to do is identify their hiding places and sprinkle this mixture in those corners.

#3: Home remedies for roaches recommended by grandma: Neem

A spray of salt water and peppermint oil acts as a natural repellent

Neem has been used as a home remedy for cockroaches and other pests over the years. Neem oil or powder contains powerful components that can kill cockroaches. To use it in oil form, mix a small amount of neem oil with water in a spray bottle and spray on spots where you have spotted these pests. However, if you use neem powder, all you have to do is sprinkle it on cockroach infested areas at night and repeat the process in the morning.

#4: How to get rid of roaches with peppermint oil

Saltwater and peppermint oil spray acts as a natural repellent

Essential oils have countless uses like aromatherapy, skin care, etc. But did you also know them as one of the home remedies for roaches? Peppermint oil is one of the most effective essential oils for keeping cockroaches at bay. Make a mixture of salt water and peppermint oil and spray it on the affected areas at home. However, this is not how you get rid of cockroaches overnight. Only after continuous use will you notice a difference.

#5: Count bay leaves in the list of effective home remedies for cockroaches

Crushing a few bay leaves is another answer on how to get rid of cockroaches

Did you know that raiding your spice cabinet can help you get rid of roaches? If you are looking for home remedies for cockroaches that won’t kill them, then this trick might help you get rid of them too. Crush up some bay leaves and sprinkle them in your closets or where you see them often. Alternatively, you can boil some leaves and spray the water into infected corners. This desi tactic should keep them at bay.

#6: Find some home remedies for roaches in your bathroom

Kill them on the spot with a mixture of fabric softener and water

If you’re looking for an alternative to commercial repellents, mix fabric softener with water and store in a spray bottle. Whenever you spot a cockroach, spray this mixture directly on it and watch it die. However, this may not be the best solution for a widespread infestation.

How to get rid of cockroaches at their source?

Prevention is better than cure. While we have several home remedies for roaches, a few good practices can help you keep the pests at bay.

Tip #1: Clean up the mess to make the home remedies work against cockroaches

A tidy home will never attract pesky cockroaches

There’s no cure if you’re wondering how to get rid of roaches overnight, but a clean room will go a long way. A well-stocked pantry may be a favorite midnight hunger pang, but if you’re spilling food while feasting, then you’re in trouble. Exposed trash cans, spilled food, clutter and dirt act like a magnet for them. Therefore, keep your surroundings as clean as possible.

Tip #2: Say no to water leaks

Damp spots in the house are a magnet for pests

Cockroaches need moisture and water to thrive. They love living in humid places, which is why you can often find them in humid environments. Something as simple as a leaky water pipe is enough to attract them. Be careful not to let standing water stay near your home for too long.

Trust us, these home remedies are tried and tested. You can’t go wrong with these. So what are you waiting for? Try these and stay in a roach-free and clean home.

Want some easy tips for removing turmeric stains? Check out this: 5 Easy Ways to Fight Turmeric Stains on Kitchen Surfaces.

Send your comments and suggestions to [email protected]

How can Livspace help you?

We hope you found our ideas helpful! If you want beautiful interiors for your home then look no further. Book an online consultation with Livspace today. Providing safe living quarters is our top priority. Click here to find out how interiors are delivered in compliance with all safety protocols.

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Cockroaches are among the most common house pests you can encounter these days, and it’s no surprise. They are stubborn and adaptable, making them a formidable enemy. And you can be sure that once they find the perfect living environment, they will only breed and hide their eggs in places out of your reach.

In this post, you will learn how to identify roach eggs, where roaches typically lay their eggs, and how to kill the eggs by natural and other means.

How to recognize the eggs

In fact, the appearance and breeding location of the eggs will tell what kind of species is infesting the home. The eggshells, also called oothecae, are reminiscent of small round beans with distinctive edges on the sides.

Protasov AN / Shutterstock.com

The usual color is dark brown, but this can vary depending on the cockroach species. For example, the German cockroach ootheca may be light-colored and yellow. Size also varies, with American and Oriental cockroach eggs being significantly longer.

Tip Some types of cockroaches, such as the German cockroach, do not immediately lay their eggs in cracks and other hidden places. Instead, they remain attached to the female’s body until it is almost time to hatch. Therefore, it is important to find out what species you are dealing with early on so that the pest control method can be effective

See also: The most common signs of a cockroach infestation

Where do cockroaches usually lay their eggs?

The main driving force for most types of pests is food, and roaches are no different. They prefer a humid environment and need to be close to a food source to feed themselves and the future roaches.

Therefore, the kitchen and bathroom are among the high-risk areas in which the insects can nest. Check out the list below for more specific parts as well as other attractive house areas.

countertops

Countertops in cabinets

In cabinets behind and under appliances

Behind and under appliances Under the sink

Under the sink drainage areas

Drainage areas skirting boards

Baseboards bathroom cabinets

Bathroom cabinets laundry room

laundry room basement

basement laundry room etc.

These are just a few. You know your home best, so check any other parts of the property that are warm, humid, and have easy access to groceries.

How to get rid of cockroach eggs

These insects can be very annoying. Once your home is infested, getting rid of the roaches and their nests can be very difficult. Something that can destroy the adult roach doesn’t necessarily kill the eggs as well. And of course, killing the adults won’t eliminate the ootheca already hidden on the property.

So what can you do? Well, divide and conquer. If the infestation persists, caring for the eggs is a good place to start. How to care for the cockroach eggs:

Find the Eggs – First you need to find their hiding places. Since we’ve already mentioned some of the most common locations, you can start investigating them. Remember that the eggs are well hidden, often in hard-to-reach places.

– First you need to find their hiding places. Since we’ve already mentioned some of the most common locations, you can start investigating them. Remember that the eggs are well hidden, often in hard-to-reach places. Eliminate the Ootheca – Once you spot a cockroach egg, use gloves or a paper towel to remove it (you can also use a vacuum). Then, crush the ootheca and throw it in a plastic bag. Don’t throw the plastic bag in your local trash can. Dispose of it as far from your home as possible.

Sometimes the process is not that simple. That’s why we’ve outlined some other DIY methods to help you in your fight against these pesky invaders. Some of them are eco-friendly in case you are worried about the safety of your kids or pets while others are chemical products. Hope you find the solution that works best for you!

kieselguhr

Diatomaceous earth is a good choice when it comes to killing cockroach eggs. We recommend trying this method if you are certain that there is already an ongoing infestation in your home.

It is made up of marine phytoplankton, which is toxic to cockroaches and can dry out the ootheca. Be sure to buy the food version. Then sprinkle the powder in places where you often see cockroaches.

baking powder and sugar

As we mentioned earlier, to completely rid your home of the pest, you’ll need to go after both the eggs and the adults. You can try this method to eliminate the producers of the eggs.

In a small container (or bottle), make a mixture of equal parts baking soda and sugar. Sprinkle it in places where you have seen roaches. This is one of the easiest cockroach killers. The sugar will attract the roaches while the baking soda will do the rest.

Learn more about: The best home remedies for cockroaches

growth regulators for insects

Insect growth regulators are special substances that are often used to control pest infestations, especially cockroaches. One of the ways they help is by sterilizing the adult insects, thus eliminating the possibility of an infestation spreading via oothecae.

They can also stop the normal development of roaches’ eggs, leading to their death. While effective, these products are also considered non-toxic to pets and humans. However, one downside is that they may not be cost effective depending on the type or quantity you need to purchase.

Nevertheless, if you decide to use them, it is important to carefully read and follow the instructions that come with the product. You can also consult a professional if you are unsure of where and how to apply it correctly or if there is already a heavy infestation at the site.

Need help dealing with the cockroach eggs? Find a reliable specialist in your area. Enter your zip code. Add a valid zip code, e.g. SE1 2nd

Snack:

Cockroach eggs (ootheca) are capsule-shaped and dark brown.

Cockroach eggs (ootheca) are capsule-shaped and dark brown. Identifying the type of roaches infesting your home is an important step in solving the problem. The eggs and nesting site can help you with this.

Identifying the type of roaches infesting your home is an important step in solving the problem. The eggs and nesting site can help you with this. Dark, moist, and warm areas with easy access to food are ideal nesting sites for the roaches.

Dark, moist, and warm areas with easy access to food are ideal nesting sites for the roaches. There are both chemical and eco-friendly methods that can help kill roach eggs as well as adult roaches. You can choose one based on your specific situation.

Last updated: August 17, 2021

Posted in All Articles, Pest Problems

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You’ve probably heard warnings about how quickly roaches can breed and spread throughout a home. When cockroaches settle in a house, it’s because they’ve found conditions they like. A lot of.

But do cockroaches really nest in houses? And what does a cockroach nest even look like?

In this short guide we will teach you how to:

How Roaches Hide How to find a roach nest and how to get rid of a roach nest – possibly forever.

Need product recommendations? A handful of easy-to-use products can solve most roach problems. See below

Ready? Let’s go.

What does a cockroach nest look like?

Illustration of a cockroach colony. Live cockroaches, nymphs, and egg cases alongside dead cockroaches, shell shells, and debris.

A roach nest is not a tightly coiled basket of twigs and grass like you would expect a bird to be. And it’s not the kind of carefully assembled nest of material you’d expect from a mouse or rat.

Cockroaches “nest” wherever they can find a hiding place near food and water. A better word is colony: roaches live in colonies, and their “nest” is simply the hotspot of the colony, where the roaches lay their eggs and hide from daylight (and humans).

Basically, a cockroach “nest” doesn’t look like a nest at all. It’s more like the roaches’ messy bedroom where everything is lying around in the same general area.

Finding a roach nest means finding several (or several dozen) roaches and probably a few dead roaches.

You’ll also see loads of cockroach droppings and old egg crates lying around. Cockroach poop is tiny and looks like coffee grounds or black pepper. In areas of high activity, feces begin to collect. You might even find it in kitchen appliances.

Egg boxes, on the other hand, are usually brown and less than 1/4 inch long. Each egg box you can see can equal 40 or more baby cockroaches.

A cockroach nest also contains old skins that the baby cockroaches have molted. These young cockroaches, called nymphs, shed their exoskeleton six or more times before they are fully grown. Depending on the size of the infestation, there may be dozens or hundreds of skinned exoskeletons lying around.

If there are many cockroaches present, you might even see some of the nymphs. And you could just confuse them with completely different insects. Nymphs sometimes appear white right after moulting while their new exoskeletons are still developing.

As the roach population continues to grow, you may see more and more adults outdoors as they are driven out or forced to cover more ground in search of food. They will also give off a strong, musty odor. Not only that, but everything they touch — including food — will also start smelling oily and stale. It’s a pungent smell that you can’t miss, but if you hadn’t seen a cockroach you might have mistaken it for something else.

Where do cockroaches live?

Most cockroaches love damp places. Depending on the species of roach, some like it hot and some like to hang out in cooler, damp spots. But they all have one thing in common: the need for moisture.

Because of this, cockroaches almost always live near sources of food and water. Anywhere they have easy access to snacks and drinks, they will find a hiding place nearby.

And hiding isn’t just something cockroaches do. It’s one of their most effective adaptations, a skill they’re good at and spend most of their lives practicing!

Even the largest roaches (like the oriental roach or the even larger American roach) are small enough to squeeze into cracks and crevices you probably didn’t notice before. They will also live under carpets and floor mats. Small species can even squeeze under loose wallpaper and use this tiny space as a hiding place.

It’s hard to find cockroaches because they make it hard; They like tight, fenced places where they won’t be seen and won’t be disturbed. Therefore, they often build colonies in crawlspaces and basements. This is also why spotting even one live or dead cockroach is a warning sign to be aware of. Because there could be many, many more that are just out of sight.

Tip: If you came here because you have already found a cockroach in your house, here you can identify and learn about the 8 worst types of cockroaches.

How to find a cockroach nest

Cockroaches nest in secluded places near sources of water and food.

Get ready, because finding cockroaches means thinking like them too. You have to get on your hands and knees and poke around in hard-to-reach and sometimes awkward places. You’re probably going to get a little dirty, so put on some old work clothes and maybe a pair of gloves – ready? you go in

Thinking like a roach means identifying food and water sources, so you should start in the kitchen and bathroom, where either or both are plentiful.

You should be thorough and check all of your closets, pantry, and any shelves or storage containers. You will want to look behind and under things, as well as into things. It helps to use a hand mirror and a flashlight to check under appliances and behind the fridge.

Tip: If the thought of opening a closet door to suddenly see an active roach nest worries you, remember: they won’t hurt you. The worst thing they will do is scurry away as fast as possible. You can do that.

Aside from the kitchen and bathrooms, the most common nesting areas are dark, cluttered, and damp places. If you’ve found a cockroach in the attic or basement, you need to check all the boxes and containers stored there – they could be in all of them or just one of them – to make sure they haven’t “nested” them.

It’s a lot of work, but it’s better to be safe than sorry when dealing with pests! Also, as the problem continues to grow, it will only become harder to control.

How to get rid of a cockroach nest

If you found a cockroach nest in your house, all hope is not lost! With a combination of baits, pesticides, and esprit, you can control a cockroach infestation.

Suggested Products

To find roaches hiding spots and kill them quickly if you only have a few

Recommended for all cockroaches

Exterminator’s Choice Sticky Glue Traps Used to measure and monitor a roach infestation and provide additional control. Check the price on Amazon

BASF PT P.I. Contact Insecticide P.I. is a pyrethrin-based spray insecticide that kills cockroaches quickly. Best used as an adjunct to other treatments, it’s not cheap but far more effective than commercial sprays. Check the price on Amazon

To kill cockroaches in your house when you have a serious problem

Recommended for German and Brown Banded Cockroaches, American Cockroaches (Palmetto Bugs, Water Bugs, Tree Cockroaches, Canal Cockroaches) and Oriental Cockroaches when invading in large numbers.

HARRIS Diatomaceous Earth Powder Duster Insecticide dusts like CimeXa work best when applied with a feather duster. This inexpensive diatomaceous earth duster works well with CimeXa, Delta Dust, and other recommended dusters. Check the price on Amazon

Syngenta Advion Cockroach Gel Bait Advion first poisons the roaches that eat it and then others in a secondary kill. Combine with CimeXa Insecticide Dust and Gentrol IGR for the most effective indoor treatment. Check the price on Amazon

Gentrol Point Source IGR Gentrol is an insect growth regulator (IGR) that disrupts cockroach reproduction. It is most effective when used in conjunction with Advion Gel Bait and CimeXa Insecticide Dust. Check the price on Amazon

To kill outdoor cockroaches before they have a chance to get inside

Recommended for American cockroaches (palmetto bugs, water bugs, tree cockroaches, sewer cockroaches), oriental cockroaches and smoky brown cockroaches.

Bayer Polyzone Suspend Insecticide When used on outdoor foundations, doorways and walls, Suspend Insecticide Liquid stops roaches before they enter. It requires a separate sprayer (see below) and works best in conjunction with a granular outdoor bait like Intice and an outdoor crack and joint treatment like Delta Dust. Check the price on Amazon

Chapin 1 Gallon Multipurpose Sprayer Liquid pesticides require a separate sprayer. This inexpensive pump sprayer is good for smaller jobs. Check the price on Amazon

InTice Bait Granules for Perimeter Insect Control InTice is a granular bait that kills roaches outdoors and in spaces like your garage or attic. Used in conjunction with a spray treatment like Bayer Suspend and a crack and crevice treatment like Delta Dust, it can protect the entire perimeter of your home. Check the price on Amazon

Delta Dust Insecticide Dust Waterproof and durable, Delta Dust is a crack and crevice treatment effective in high moisture areas such as attics, exterior walls and plumbing lines. Delta Dust is regulated and not available in some areas. Check the price on Amazon

Start with gel baits

A safe, inexpensive and easy-to-use roach gel bait is a good place to start. Use small baited swabs around the most likely entry points that roaches use, whether they’re holes in the wall or gaps between the stove and cabinets.

Baits are effective and easy to use, as roaches do most of the work themselves, first eating the venom and then carrying it back to their “nest” where others in the colony can also reach it.

Baits will help you kill roaches, but for long-term roach control, look to a combination of products, including insecticide dust and IGR.

Insecticidal dust works in tandem with baits to kill roaches in other ways, damaging their bodies if they crawl through and eventually causing them to become dehydrated (death).

Food grade boric acid and diatomaceous earth are popular dusts that work well, but an even better product is CimeXa, which is both faster and safer. Dust coupled with gel baits is a really effective way to reduce roach populations.

The third part of the trio is the insect growth regulator (IGR), which renders newborn cockroaches infertile. IGR products like Gentrol are easy to use and complete a very effective cockroach control plan.

Finally, you or a professional pest controller (who should be consulted in the event of an overwhelming roach infestation) can use bait, dust, and insecticide sprays to treat the perimeter of your home as needed.

The best long-term plan is a good defense. That means cleaning your home regularly and keeping it tidy. You should also keep an eye on areas outside of your home — including your garage, garden, patio, and yard — for dirt and clutter that can attract roaches and other pests.

It’s scary to think about a colony of cockroaches living in your house, sneaking out at night and crawling around the kitchen. But it’s a problem you can deal with! Armed with the information in this article, you are ready to find the cockroach nest and get rid of it for good.

frequently asked Questions

Where do cockroaches nest? When roaches establish themselves in a home, their favorite habitats are in kitchens and bathrooms. Cockroaches spend most of their time hiding, so they look for dark, unreachable places to set up their colonies. Large devices can hide cockroach colonies. These tiny insects can hide behind appliances, live in furniture, and squeeze into closets and cracks. What are the signs of a cockroach nest? Usually the first sign that roaches are present is… seeing a roach! Otherwise, you might not even consider that there is a cockroach nest in your home. Other signs include dead roaches or old, skinned exoskeletons, roach droppings (which look like black pepper), and the musty smell that roaches typically produce. Keep a close eye on any signs you see to find out the size and location of a possible infestation you might be dealing with. How many cockroaches nest at once? A roach colony can contain anywhere from a few roaches to a few hundred roaches. If you find any established “nest” in your home (i.e. multiple roaches, droppings and signs of molting), you should treat this as a serious infestation. Cockroaches reproduce quickly, and only a few females can produce hundreds of offspring in a year. Where do German cockroaches nest? German cockroaches don’t build nests, but these extremely common pests usually live very close to their food sources. They are common pests that congregate in warm, humid places. German cockroach colonies hide around appliances like stoves and dishwashers, in cupboards, and anywhere else that’s dark and hidden from humans.

Written by Andrew Martin, reviewed by Helene Steenkamp, ​​PhD.

Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only. When using insecticides, remember that the label is the law. Insecticides should be used correctly and safely when needed and in accordance with the laws of your state or country.

Andrew Martin Author/Editor Andrew writes for and co-publishes Cockroach Facts with his daughter. You can read more about him here.

Helene Steenkamp, ​​PhD. Science Editor Helene is a Namibian-born South African national with a great love of nature and its intricacies. She received her PhD in Molecular Phylogenetics from the University of Pretoria, South Africa, in 2011 and has since worked as a postdoctoral researcher in this field at the university and at the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa. She has published several peer-reviewed scientific articles using genetic, taxonomic, and phylogenetic tools, specializing in entomology, taxonomy, zoonoses, epidemiology, and bacterial and viral genetics. Today she is the housewife of two lovely boys with whom she loves to discover nature from a different perspective. She also works as a freelance writer, editor and researcher on everything related to science. You can learn more about our contributors here.

Sources

How do you get rid of a heavy infestation of cockroaches?

Significant allergen reductions occur in response to dramatic reductions in cockroach infestations. Recent studies have shown that bait-based integrated pest management approaches are highly effective without resident training or professional cleaning.

Initial Population Knockdown:

Place Crawl Trap Sticky Trap Monitors in every room of the house. The purpose of this is not to kill the roaches, but to determine where they are around the house. Focus intensely on cleaning near traps that catch nymphs. Thoroughly vacuum where monitors have caught roaches. Work as a team: Use hot air from a hair dryer to flush roaches out of cavities and behind appliances and suck them up when they leak. If possible, use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter.

Initial cleaning:

Clean open area food sources: counters, floors, drawers, cabinets, walls, stove top, range hood, around stove and around refrigerator. Do not use strong, smelly detergents. Consider these green cleaners instead.

pesticides:

After the monitors have been out for at least two nights, have a PMP use pesticides according to label directions. Bait formulations are the most effective and the least risky. The PMP will apply insecticide bait to any room where the Wardens have caught roaches. Replace the monitors with new ones when the area is treated. Use an insecticidal dust in wall cavities and other sheltered areas. When dry, the dust application remains effective for a long time. Note: If you can see the dust, it’s probably too much. Always follow the label! Apply an insect growth regulator (available in many formulations) to areas where pregnant females are hiding.

Continued Monitoring and Baiting:

Check the bait – if the roaches eat it all, put out more. If they don’t eat the bait, try a different bait product – cockroach populations develop an aversion to bait. Suck thoroughly and suck up any dead roaches and their eggs. Even the dead can make asthma and allergies worse. If possible, use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. Check the monitors and replace them if necessary. If you can’t catch or see roaches for two weeks, consider the problem solved! The device can return to a regular inspection schedule.

Prevent future infestations

Thoroughly clean.

Paint walls, make repairs, seal cracks and crevices, and replace any fixtures or appliances. See the Pest Prevention by Design guidelines for more specific recommendations.

Keep monitors out to catch infestations early and let residents know how to report pests.

Read about an entomologist’s experience with German cockroaches in this popular blog post.

Note: Do not rent out an empty apartment until the monitor lizards can stay outside for at least two nights without catching an insect.

Cockroaches are one of the worst household pests. They’re fast, fit into extremely small spaces, and tend to wreak havoc when we’re not looking or when we’re sleeping. If you’re dealing with your own cockroach problem, you’re probably wondering how the heck do you go about getting rid of these creepy crawlies?

Cockroaches have an incredible sense of smell, which they use to find food. You can capitalize on this fact by using scents they don’t like like thyme, citrus, basil, mint and citronella to ward them off from your home.

Below we explain exactly how to repel roaches with scents they don’t like. We’ll cover where to put these scents and what else you can do to rid your home of these pests for good!

Just to add – if you shop through links from Pest Pointers, we may earn affiliate commissions if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Why Use Scents to Repel Cockroaches?

When it comes to your home, there’s no question: cockroaches do NOT belong in it! So when you see these scurrying critters, you might want to run to the store and grab the strongest stuff you can to get rid of them.

So why even bother using scents they don’t like?

Cockroaches are stubborn and resilient

Cockroaches have a certain reputation. They are survivors.

If you’ve dealt with a roach problem in your home, you know these guys are persistent. It is this persistent trait that renders some commercial insecticides useless. Cockroaches reproduce so quickly that they can quickly develop resistance to certain insecticides.

Because of this, it’s not a bad idea to try something different. Something that is not mass-produced in the market and that a cockroach is likely already resistant to.

Fragrances can of course be used

We’re all familiar with the gross chemical smell associated with pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides. We’ve all read the warning labels on such products and seen the giant exclamation mark that catches our attention.

Using scents and smells to repel roaches is a more natural, and sometimes organic, approach to pest control. The chemicals and ingredients of the fragrances are found in nature, e.g. B. Limonene, an odor control agent derived from citrus fruits.

You don’t have to worry about your home smelling like a chemistry lab. Many of the scents and smells are appealing to humans, like peppermint, but repellent to roaches.

Scents help prevent a cockroach infestation

Fragrances are an excellent option for those who don’t already have a cockroach infestation. If you see one or two scurrying around, it’s time to start using off-putting scents.

When a home becomes infested with roaches, the use of odor repellents must be combined with other management strategies to effectively eliminate the pests. More on that later!

For now, just know that scents and smells are good deterrents for roaches. It won’t fix your problem if it’s already out of control. In this case, you should consult a professional to get rid of your pest problem.

8 Scents Cockroaches Hate (And How To Use Them)

Cockroaches can cause all sorts of problems in the home. Just because you only see one or two scurrying around doesn’t mean there aren’t dozens or *gulp* hundreds of them lounging around.

Those who are sensitive to allergies can have a really hard time when roaches are around. Cockroach droppings and dander can cause allergic reactions and asthma.

Also, cockroaches didn’t get their reputation as dirty pests for nothing. These pests will eat EVERYTHING, including feces. Because of this, they see no real difference between food left on the counter and animal droppings from mice or other pests.

When cockroaches move between feces and food, they can spread pathogens that can cause illness.

Needless to say, cockroaches need to be repelled! Here are some scents you can use to ward off those creepy crawlies from your home.

Minty smells repel roaches

Everyone loves the fresh scent of mint. Some like it in their chocolate, ice cream or candies. Whatever your preference, people seem to enjoy the smell of mint.

cockroaches? Not as much.

But this is good news for us! In a study of German cockroaches, cornmint oil was found to be highly effective at repelling roaches.

Without getting too bogged down in science, cornmint oil contains menthol and menthone, both of which repel roaches. You can buy it online, e.g. B. Plant Guru’s Cornmint Essential Oil.

Essential oils are typically concentrated, undiluted oils derived from plants. Because of this, you can extend the shelf life of the container by diluting it with water.

To use cornmint oil to repel roaches, add 12-16 drops of the essential oil to each cup of water. Pour the mixture into a glass spray bottle. Once you’ve established the roach hotspots with your sticky traps, spray the areas vigorously.

We recommend reapplying your spray at least once a week, but every 3-5 days is better. As we’ve said before, aim for cracks, openings, holes, and other small spaces where roaches might be. Spraying large open areas is not as effective as spraying the cracks where roaches hide.

Another relative of the mint family is catnip. While catnip can attract your cats and make them freak out after its calming effects, it definitely has roach repellent properties.

Cockroaches hate citronella

We’ve all heard about how great citronella candles are at repelling mosquitoes. Can they really repel cockroaches too?

Citronella candles are not very effective at repelling roaches. BUT citronella oil is! The reason the candles are not effective is that although cockroaches have wings, they rarely fly. The candles target flying insects such as gnats and gnats.

That’s okay because we can still use citronella oil to keep roaches at bay. Something like UpNature Citronella Essential Oil can help repel those roaches. You can use it in a spray by adding 10-15 drops per cup of water.

Alternatively, you can dilute the oil the same way and then soak a piece of cloth or paper towel in the mixture. Place these items near cockroach burrows to repel them.

Another citronella scent you can use is called citronellic acid and it is actually derived from lemongrass.

The sweet scent of pine to repel cockroaches

Pinene is a word you might not be familiar with, but we all know the smell of it. As we walk through a lush pine forest, crunching over fallen pine needles and taking deep breaths… ah, pine scent!

Smelling similar to basil and hops, beta pinene comes from pine, cedar, parsley, and tons of other plants. Without getting too bogged down with science again, beta-pinene is a terpene known to repel, and in some cases eliminate, roaches.

The best part? This amazing smelling oil can be used to repel cockroaches. You can buy it in oil form like FOGG Isolates Beta Pinene. Just add a dozen drops to a cup of water and you’re ready to spray!

Beta pinene’s cousin, alpha pinene, is also roach repellent, but not quite as effective.

Thyme to repel cockroaches

It’s thyme, um, time to ward off those roaches for good! One easy way to do this is by using the herb thyme.

Thyme contains a chemical called carvacrol that roaches seem to despise. Like many of the scents on our list, thyme is an essential oil that you can dilute and then put into a spray.

Another way you can use thyme to repel roaches is by actually planting the herb. This method is best used if you don’t already have a roach problem but are concerned about them coming into the house.

You can also sprinkle dried and shredded thyme on roach hot spots to keep them away from certain areas.

Use basil to keep roaches away

Remember our buddy Beta-Pinen? Basil has a similar scent and can be used to repel roaches from your home. It contains the chemical linalool, which is the defense factor in basil.

Just like thyme, basil is an essential oil that you can brew into a spray, but you can also just plant the herb around your home to repel roaches before they invade.

Just make sure they aren’t already in your house or they might be repelled to go back out!

Citrus fruits can repel cockroaches

Last on our list of scents and smells that roaches hate are citrus smells. We put this last because it tends to be the least effective in studies.

However, it still has a repellent effect, and you may have citrus in the house that you can use today while you find a more permanent solution.

You can use the peels of citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, grapefruits, and limes. Stick the rind into nooks and crannies where the roaches seem to be most concentrated. You should replace the trays at least once a week to stay effective.

How to use scents and smells to repel cockroaches

So… where the hell do you put those scents?

This depends on what type of cockroach you are dealing with. You don’t necessarily need to know what species of cockroach it is (there are thousands…yes, I said thousands), but identification can be helpful if you’re going down the professional route.

If you find cockroaches in your kitchen or bathroom, you are most likely dealing with the most common household cockroach: the German cockroach. They hang out in warm, humid areas, like the space under a leaking sink, behind toilets, and under appliances that emit heat.

Do you find roaches in your basement or floor drain? It’s probably an Oriental or American cockroach.

You understand it.

Certain cockroaches are attracted to certain areas. If you can figure out what type of roach you are dealing with, you may be able to identify the best area to use your repellent.

It is not recommended to use repellents or insecticides on countertops, floors or baseboards as it is unlikely to be effective. You need to target the specific area where the roaches are congregating.

That being said, it’s always a safe bet to spray any cracks, entrances, pipe entrances, holes or openings leading into the walls or ceilings such as: B. Entry points for electrical wiring. Cockroaches use these openings as a highway to move around your home and between apartments.

These conspicuous openings are the main reason why some well-kept, clean apartments and houses are infested with roaches. The guys scurry through cracks as small as 1/16 inch and race from apartment to apartment in search of food.

No thank you!

Use baited traps before using roach scents

So how exactly can you find out where cockroaches hang out? Many professionals suggest starting with decoy traps before you start repelling.

Baited traps like the Greener Mindset Roach Trap will give you a good idea of ​​where in your home the densest group of roaches are. This comes with 12 traps to place around your home. Think under the kitchen sink, under or behind large appliances, in the basement near a floor drain, or in your closets.

After a few days to a week, you can check the sticky traps and see which caught the most. This is where you should focus your defensive efforts.

Another important note about using scents and smells is that you need to reapply them frequently. Repellents work by teaching the roach to stay away from the areas where you used repellent.

If the repellent doesn’t stay in place, the roach won’t learn to stay away from that area and will keep coming back. In the same mindset, you should make sure to use repellents in ALL areas where roaches hang out. Otherwise, they will simply move to another area of ​​the house and continue to multiply.

Now that we’ve all sneaked in thoroughly, let’s take a look at some of the scents and smells you can use to deter roaches from getting anywhere near your home or apartment.

How to repel cockroaches in the long term

Cockroaches are not like other pests. They tend to hide where we can’t see them and reproduce fast enough to become immune to certain repellents.

In less than a year, a single German cockroach can breed thousands of new cockroaches. yuck

While scents and sprays can be effective in repelling roaches from certain areas, this is not a solution to your problem. To really get rid of cockroaches, you need to combine several different methods.

Don’t worry, we’ll walk you through everything so you can get rid of your cockroach problem for good!

If you are interested, you can read our in-depth guide to the best sprays, baits and traps for German cockroaches here.

keep it clean!

Cockroaches are attracted to food and moisture. Dirty dishes sitting in a semi-damp sink is like a blinking “Eat Here” light that attracts roaches.

Food or liquid spills should be cleaned up immediately. If you know you have a roach problem, avoid leaving foods like fruits, vegetables, and bread on the counter. Be sure to pick up pet food at night if you have it on the ground.

Garbage is a buffet for cockroaches. Not only is the smell strong enough to lure them in, but the trash can also be damp and warm from leftover food. Make sure you take out your trash every few days to keep the odor and moisture down.

Believe it or not, many roaches get into your home through grocery bags, furniture, and paper. If you have newspapers laying around, consider storing them elsewhere or in a locked container. Check your groceries before bringing them indoors.

Seal it!

As we mentioned earlier, roaches use small cracks and holes as highways to move between rooms, closets, and even apartments.

Check the areas where your plumbing meets the wall in the kitchen and bathroom. If there is even a tiny bit of space, a cockroach can fit through. Seal it with caulk.

Another place to look is where electrical wires meet the wall. This can be one way roaches get into your home and should be properly sealed.

Take care of your garden

Some cockroaches like the wood cockroach cannot survive indoors. However, they will occasionally get indoors during the warmer seasons like spring and summer.

Check your foundation for cracks and openings from the outside and make sure any screens in the windows are properly sealed.

If you have piles of wood or building materials in your yard, check them before you bring them indoors. Keep them neatly stacked and off the ground if possible.

Remove any plants or vines that are near your home, as these can harbor roaches and other unwanted guests.

boric acid and diatomaceous earth dust

Cockroaches can be repelled and even eliminated with insecticidal dust treatments. Something like Harris Boric Acid Powder is an excellent product for roaches. It comes with a duster to easily spread the product around your home.

The way these dust products work is that the particles stick to the roach as they move over it. Later, when the cockroach is preening, it will ingest the product. The cockroach will either be eliminated or made very ill, warning them never to return to this area.

As with any product you purchase, be sure to read the label for usage instructions and precautions you may need to take. You may want to go full blast with this product, but less is better as roaches avoid heavily dusty areas.

What smell do cockroaches love?

Now that we know what scents roaches hate, let’s talk about what they love. This way you can avoid having anything with these scents outdoors.

Cockroaches love the smell of candy. Anything that contains sugar, including chocolate, cookies, and fruit, is a major attractant for roaches. If you keep sugar on the counter for baking, make sure it’s properly sealed to keep the roaches out!

Food generally attracts roaches, but they are particularly attracted to starch. That means bread, potatoes, cereal, pasta… anything that contains starch. Make sure these foods are tightly sealed.

Do dead cockroaches attract more?

Cockroaches are pretty wild. They eat everything from human and animal waste to rotting vegetables.

And yes, they will even eat dead roaches of their own kind. Because of this, dead roaches have the potential to attract more roaches simply by the putrid smell.

Cockroaches have a very good sense of smell, and because they don’t discriminate with their food, the smell of a dead cockroach is no different to them than the smell of a freshly baked cookie. food is food

pack things

Dealing with a pest you just can’t seem to get rid of is never fun. Cockroaches are tough little buggers and hard to get rid of.

There are several ways you can try to solve the problem yourself before seeking professional help. Using scents and smells they don’t like is an easy and inexpensive way to repel roaches.

To recap, here are some of the scents that roaches hate:

corn mint oil

catnip oil

Citronella Oil

Lemongrass (citronellic acid)

Pine (alpha & beta pines)

thyme

basil

citrus peels

Ultimately, scents must be combined with other tactics to truly eliminate your roach problem. Keep your house clean, store papers properly, check food and firewood before bringing them indoors, and remember what attracts roaches so as not to let them out.

As always, consult a professional when in doubt or when you feel like you can’t handle your roach problem on your own!

references

Ngoh, S.P., Choo, L.E.W., Pang, F.Y., Huang, Y., Kini, M.R., & Ho, S.H. (1999, March 26). Insecticidal and repellent properties of nine essential oil volatiles against the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (L.). Pesticide Science, 54(3), 261-268.

Roth, L.M., & Willis, E.R. (1952, January). A study of the behavior of cockroaches. The American Midland Naturalist, 47(1), 66-129. https://www.jstor.org/stable/2421700

Schultz, G., Peterson, C., & Coats, J.R. (2006). Natural insect repellents: effective against mosquitoes and cockroaches. In Natural Products for Pest Management (Vol. 927, pp. 168-181). Entomological Publications.

Wharton, D.R.A. (1971). UV repellent and deadly effect on the American cockroach. Journal of Economic Entomology, 64(1).

Yoon C, Kang S-H, Yang J-O, Noh D-J, Indiragandhi P, & Kim G-H. (2009, April 28). Repellent effect of citrus oils against the cockroaches Blattella germanica, Periplaneta americana and P. fuliginosa. Journal of Pesticide Science, 34(2).

Linda from Charlotte, Nc writes

Answers:

We honestly don’t know what brands of insecticides Billy the Exterminator uses. We know he uses pyrethrin-based insecticides because they are more environmentally friendly. Evergreen Pyrethrum Concentrate is a pyrethrin-based insecticide, but it is not labeled for use on wasps. We recommend using something like Wasp Freeze. Wasp-Freeze is specially designed to knock down wasps, wasps and hornets instantly. The knockdown is rapid so no stinging pheromone is released, reducing the possibility of stings. The Wasp Freeze Can has a jet nozzle that sprays up to 15 feet away.

Answer last updated on: 08/11/2011

How to keep cockroaches away while you sleep

Many a homeowner’s worst nightmare is when a cockroach crawls across the bed while we are fast asleep. While roaches don’t bite, these pests often invoke feelings of fear and disgust. In addition, breathing skin and waste products from these creatures in an infested home can cause an allergic reaction or trigger asthma symptoms. To make matters worse, cockroaches, as nocturnal insects, are most active at night. For all these reasons, you might want to better understand how to keep roaches away while you sleep.

The truth is that cockroaches are very common pests around the world, often invading our most intimate spaces. To keep roaches out of your bedroom, you would take the same steps you would do to keep them out of other parts of your home, including:

Keep your sleeping quarters free of food and moisture

Reduce clutter

Empty your trash regularly

Make sure that all openings to the outside (especially windows and doors) are well sealed.

If all else fails, you can put your mind at ease by calling in a pest expert who can help you determine if your property is more susceptible to a roach problem and suggest a treatment plan.

If you’re concerned about cockroaches in your home, chances are you also have other related questions, such as: B. How can I have cockroaches if I keep my house clean? Let’s answer some of these frequently asked questions so you can know all about these pesky pests and avoid an infestation.

What Causes Cockroaches in a Clean House?

Aside from contaminating our food with their feces, as mentioned before, cockroaches can cause allergies, asthma and eczema in some people. And of course, they are also capable of transmitting a number of nasty diseases. Unfortunately, cockroaches can move into even the cleanest of homes. Why? What is she wearing?

The presence of food

Available food is the number one reason cockroaches enter our homes. These bugs aren’t picky eaters – almost anything left out on your kitchen countertops is fair game for them, and they’ll be drawn to it. Because of this, one of the most effective defenses to keep roaches out of your home is to lock up all food in places roaches can’t reach or smell.

Of course, even this doesn’t necessarily deter cockroaches, because their diet is vastly different from ours. Aside from regular food, it’s not uncommon for roaches to feed on other items commonly found in our homes, including paper, books, cardboard, and even some types of wood. That means cleaning up clutter is also an essential part of making your home less hospitable to roaches.

darkness and humidity

After you put all the groceries in the refrigerator or in sealed containers and cleaned all the kitchen counters and floors, you might assume that your house is finally safe from roach infestations and that any roaches that are hiding will quickly die out or disappear.

Unfortunately, this is not the case.

Cockroaches can survive days – and even weeks – without food. During this time, they hide in dingy, dark, damp, well-sheltered parts of your home. Even when food is out of their reach, you may still find roaches scurrying around in the basement, garage, garbage can areas, and generally other hidden areas of the home.

You may be surprised to learn that cockroaches rely more on water than food. In fact, a cockroach can only survive a week without water, which is why these creatures often come into our home and are frequently spotted in bathrooms.

Roach infested items to bring into your home

Unlike bed bugs, roaches don’t usually hitchhike on clothing or furniture. That being said, it’s possible for a homeowner to unknowingly bring roaches into their home if they happen to be hanging around in boxes or appliances like toaster ovens, microwave ovens, computers, and video game systems. This is especially true if the items in question are in use or have been stored in a location such as a garage or basement.

An attractive outdoor setting

Many homeowners who have a roach problem indoors don’t consider roaches coming in from outside. Warm, moist hidden spots in your yard can provide ideal breeding grounds for these creatures. Areas of heavy vegetation, a compost bin, and near-leaky outdoor faucets can attract roaches to your yard and make it easier for them to invade your home.

Ultimately, there are all sorts of reasons and ways cockroaches could possibly get into your home. While “why” is an important question, it’s not the only one you have.

If I see one cockroach, are there more?

We wish we could tell you otherwise, but if you spot a cockroach in your home, chances are there are others. Cockroaches are not only good at hiding, they mostly only come out at night and they really don’t like being seen by humans. So if you spot one, there’s a good chance there are many more resting out of sight during the day.

Because of this, if a cockroach suddenly appears in your home, you should take steps to prevent an ongoing roach infestation. If you don’t want to call in a specialist, you can try to look for breeding and resting places on your own. Where do cockroaches lay eggs?

You may want to visit the following popular nesting sites:

Cover

furniture

boxes and cabinets

Tube

kitchen appliances

home electronics

Kitchen surfaces, cabinets, countertops and dish drying mats

bathroom

Closets, closets, closets (even in the bedroom)

skirting board and paneling

decor

Signs that you may have a problem with cockroaches

What are some things that could indicate a bigger problem? Check your home for some of the following signs of cockroach activity.

cockroach smell

When roaches are present in large numbers, they give off a distinct oily, musky odor. If you can smell them, your home is very likely infested.

Cockroach Egg Shells

Cockroach shells are long and brown. Each shell contains many eggs inside – up to 50 – so any eggs you can remove and throw away will keep your roach population down.

cockroach droppings

This waste looks like black pepper or ground coffee. You can place sticky traps in places where you find cockroach droppings to see if you can catch any.

cockroaches during the day

As mentioned above, cockroaches are more active at night. So if you see these insects roaming around in broad daylight, chances are their numbers have grown so much that some are being driven out of their nests.

What causes the sudden appearance of cockroaches?

Seeing a cockroach in your bedroom for the very first time can be alarming—especially if it’s the first encounter you’ve had in your home.

What follows for some homeowners is a brief moment of disbelief, often with many unanswered questions like: Was that a cockroach? Does that mean my house is dirty? How many other pests does my house harbor? What will my guests think when they see that I have roaches in my house?

Most of the time, when someone “suddenly” sees a cockroach, it’s not quite as sudden as it seems. In other words, they’ve probably been around the house for a while, and seeing them has more to do with luck than anything else. Maybe you’ve moved what they’ve been hiding under for the past few weeks. Or they had to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and they didn’t have time to scurry away.

Warm, dry weather can encourage roaches to take refuge in our homes. Wet weather can also force them to dry the soil indoors. When temperatures drop, a roach can take advantage of its body shape to squeeze through crevices as narrow as one-sixteenth of an inch to invade your home. As with other pests, nearby construction can also be the cause of roach movement across an outdoor environment.

What to do if you see a cockroach

Seeing a roach in your home doesn’t always mean you have a full-blown infestation. However, it does mean that you should investigate and take steps to prevent it.

Some of the ways that you can use to prevent cockroaches from entering your home are as follows:

Make your home less welcoming to roaches by reducing clutter, eliminating potential sources of food and water, and keeping wet objects and mops off the floor.

by reducing clutter, eliminating potential sources of food and water, and keeping wet items and mops off floors. Look for possible hiding spots, flush out any roaches you hide, and then make those hiding spots less hospitable to the roaches. If possible, you should also seal these areas to prevent future use.

, flush out any roaches you’re hiding, and then make those hiding spots less hospitable to the roaches. If possible, you should also seal these areas to prevent future use. Improve hygiene around and in your home. Clean all floors and counters and fix existing water leaks.

Clean all floors and counters and fix existing water leaks. Seal off any entry points that the roaches might use to get into your home, such as:

which the roaches might use to get into your house, such as B. Gaps around sinks and plumbing. Vacuum your house regularly to remove roaches and their food sources.

Chem-free can solve your cockroach problem

While there are some do-it-yourself methods that might stop some roaches from entering your space, it takes a lot of time and energy to implement them. Additionally, most of these techniques will not stop a full-blown infestation. If you can’t sleep at night because you have roaches, it’s best to consult a professional. The experts at Chem-Free Pest & Lawn can apply their expertise in integrated pest management to recommend an effective treatment plan for dealing with your roaches. Once your infestation is under control, we can take holistic pest control measures to ensure these pests do not return to your home. With the help of Chem-free, you can have peace of mind knowing your home is roach-free.

Being confused as to which is the right cockroach spray is a fairly common phenomenon. This dilemma arises from the existence of different types of professional cockroach sprays that exist in the market. To solve your riddle, we have prepared a comprehensive guide on how to choose the best professional cockroach sprays on the market.

Are you looking for the most reliable and efficient professional cockroach spray on the market? If the answer to the question is yes, then you are in luck because your luck has put you in the best possible place. We’re here to save you time and relieve you of the stress of sorting through a plethora of reviews.

Our recommended 10 best professional cockroach sprays in 2022

Best recommendations and buying guide for your professional cockroach spray

Before you buy your favorite professional cockroach spray, there are a few factors you should consider. These factors will ultimately help you decide which professional cockroach spray is right for your needs.

Do an online research on all available professional cockroach sprays on the market. This is useful for both online and retail/in-person purchases. When shopping on an online marketplace, try to find the most trusted online store. Usually, the online stores that have the most followers of the masses are the best.

These stores not only offer reliable products, but also provide buyers with a wide range of diversified products. Look for the different types of professional cockroach sprays available at the online store and find one to choose from.

Read people’s reviews on the online sites to understand the detailed and nuanced pros and cons that come with this particular professional cockroach spray. You can also understand if a particular professional cockroach spray suits your needs by reading other people’s reviews.

Evaluating products online before purchasing the desired products in retail is also a widespread phenomenon.

As you do the crucial research on the professional cockroach sprays available on the market, you may ask yourself a few questions that will help you in your decision:

Is it worth buying professional cockroach sprays?

What are the various pros and cons of buying a professional cockroach spray?

What should you think about to buy the most efficient professional cockroach spray at the best price?

What are some of the professional cockroach spray brands available in the market today? What’s in the future?

Is enough information available about what you want?

Why should I own one or more professional cockroach sprays even if the quality might not be the sharpest?

More benefits of buying professional cockroach spray from online marketplaces

Aside from some of the benefits mentioned above, there are certain other benefits that can be attributed to online stores:

Promotions

There are many promotional prices and discounts in online stores. In fact, online stores have more promotions than retail stores. Since these stores work with several dealers at the same time, a customer can avail a specific product at the best possible price.

reliability

Online marketplaces have come a long way since the beginning of the millennium. They have become a huge source of income for many important people in the world.

This seismic growth of the industry is due to the reliability and trustworthiness codes that online markets follow. As a result, consumers can almost guarantee that they will get the right products at the right time and at the right price.

Nuanced Market

There is rigidity in the items that can be sold in online stores. There is a wide variety and nuanced markets to help consumers find what they are looking for.

Sometimes you even come across something you didn’t know about before. The availability of alternative products is central to ensure online store dominance.

How to make sure you choose the right professional cockroach spray

If you are an early or new user, finding the right professional cockroach spray can be difficult for you. You may not be aware of certain facets of the professional cockroach spray that you may have thought of. But we are here to help you with that! The following recommendations might be helpful in your hunt:

Price

Everyone has a budget and wants to make purchases that fit their budget. To make sure you get the best deal, surf as many markets as you can to see the price differences.

This will help you get an idea of ​​the status of the market. Set your price range based on what you know.

brand

In the professional cockroach spray industry, brand loyalty is very high. As a result, consumers tend to choose the brand they have been associated with the longest. Well-known brands guarantee reliability.

Otherwise, the masses would not have bought products from well-known brands. Different brands have different characteristics. Choose a brand whose characteristics you feel most comfortable with.

Different brands have different visual characteristics. This also leads to people choosing different products.

customer consensus

If you are an inexperienced user, try to consult with active users of professional cockroach spray. They can give you practical knowledge that they have acquired through the application. Sometimes you can get information out of people that you can’t find in mainstream media – it can be either good or bad information about the product.

User ratings are often very important in helping people decide which brand of professional cockroach spray to buy. You could end up having the final say in the purchase decision.

functionality

It is imperative that you familiarize yourself with how your professional cockroach spray works before making your purchase. Admittedly, a lot of knowledge about the product is learned through use and experience. Since there are different types, try to choose the one that best suits your needs.

Finally

There is only so much we can tell you about buying your new best professional cockroach spray. However, we are confident that if you follow the recommendations given here, you will find something that best suits your needs.

Good luck with your new purchase!

Getting rid of roaches overnight is something almost everyone who has ever seen a roach in their home has wished for. Fortunately, there are many methods of treating and preventing cockroach infestations.

Cockroaches are instant disgust and loathing to many sources, but to others they are considered cute and kept as pets. There are over 4,500 species of cockroaches around the world, living on six continents, so it’s no wonder some of them find their way into our homes. Unfortunately for these species, the diseases and pathogens that cockroaches bring are incompatible with human life.

Here we will learn how to get rid of problem cockroaches overnight. We’ll start by learning how to tell if the bug you’re looking at is actually a cockroach or something else. Then we’ll go over the top five ways to get rid of an infestation quickly. Finally, we examine the best ways to stop cockroaches from re-entering after you’ve kicked them out.

Is it a cockroach or something else?

Roaches are a ubiquitous part of modern, urban life — which is why so many people want to get rid of roaches overnight. They get into our homes through sewage and plumbing pipes, open windows or simply cracks in the walls. But they’re not the only bug getting inside; Beetles, termites and bed bugs are also indoor pests. They are often confused with cockroaches, which look superficially similar.

The best way to tell if the bug you’re looking at is a cockroach is to look at the antennae. Cockroaches have very long antennae and visible spikes on all six of their legs.

5 easy ways to get rid of cockroaches overnight

If you see even one cockroach in your home, it is very important to act quickly. Cockroaches are good at two things; eat and breed. If you don’t deal with the infestation quickly, it will turn into a much bigger problem.

Fortunately, cockroaches are not a new problem to modern society; We have long fought to eliminate them from our homes. Nowadays, there are many methods to get rid of cockroaches overnight. Here we look at 5 of the easiest ways to eliminate an infestation.

The best way to get rid of roaches overnight is to use insecticides like boric acid and roach traps Georgy Dzyura/Shutterstock.com

1. Boric Acid

Boric acid is a popular method for killing cockroach infestations. sulit.photos/Shutterstock.com

Getting rid of roaches overnight always involves some kind of insecticide or trap; Boric acid is one of the most effective weapons against cockroaches. Boric acid is found in many household products; The powder form is most commonly used against cockroaches.

Sprinkle boric acid in areas where the roaches frequent; As they pass through, it sticks to them. They later ingest the boric acid, which then kills them. When using boric acid, be sure to limit your exposure; Do not place it where children or pets could find it as it is toxic if ingested.

2. Borax

Borax works similarly to boric acid when it comes to killing a cockroach. Like boric acid, when borax is ingested, it kills the roach by damaging its stomach. Borax can be bought at any store and should be mixed in equal parts with something sweet like sugar and then placed somewhere where the roaches will find it.

Borax has a hidden weapon against roaches, one that doesn’t require ingestion. When roaches get enough borax on the outside of their bodies, it actually damages their exoskeleton. This causes them to quickly dehydrate and die; A thick layer of borax will surely get rid of roaches overnight.

3. Diatomaceous Earth

It might sound better in a garden than in a home, but diatomaceous earth is actually an excellent way to get rid of roaches overnight. It is non-toxic and cockroaches do not ingest it. Instead, they run through the diatomaceous earth.

Diatomaceous earth is extremely abrasive (it’s made up of decayed fossils) and will destroy the waxy coating on the roach’s exoskeleton, killing it quickly. Additionally, roaches track diatomaceous earth back to their nests, where they kill other roaches. It’s a great option if you have children or pets as it’s non-toxic to both.

4. Insecticide spray

Cockroaches can be killed by either ingesting poison or being coated in substances such as diatomaceous earth. Freedom my wing/Shutterstock.com

Getting rid of roaches overnight can be accomplished by either taking on the challenge yourself or enlisting the help of a professional pest exterminator. Anyway, insecticide sprays are a great way to both kill and repel roaches. If you hire a pest controller, they will likely use sprays for both.

When choosing insecticide sprays, make sure you buy high-quality, odorless, water-based sprays. Non-water based sprays can stain furniture, floors, or walls. When administering the spray, be careful not to inhale anything as it can be harmful if inhaled.

5. Bait traps

Another popular and easy way to kill roaches overnight is by using baited roach traps. These traps work by either capturing the roaches with glue or other substances, or by providing them with poisoned food. When the cockroach ingests the poison, it returns to its nest and dies. Then other cockroaches eat the corpse and also ingest the poison.

Bait traps should be placed in areas that roaches are attracted to, such as the bases of walls, under sinks, behind appliances, and in dark, warm areas. The more baited traps you set, the quicker you’ll take care of your roach problem. Once all the roaches are dead, make sure you pick up the traps – you don’t want them to attract a whole bunch of new roaches.

How to prevent cockroaches from coming back

The best way to prevent future roach infestations is to get rid of all food and waste promptly. Take out the trash regularly and make sure any spilled or leftover food is cleaned up. Also, try to tidy up; Cockroaches love hiding places.

Take out the trash regularly; keep your house spotless; Store Your Food in Airtight Containers: These are just a few of the things you can do to prevent pests from entering your home. So what attracts cockroaches to a clean house? Cockroaches are extremely versatile pests. They have a very varied diet and will eat just about anything you can think of. They have highly attuned aquatic senses and are experts at hiding. All of these adaptations allow them to survive in almost any environment. Cockroaches also pose health concerns for humans. They are known to transmit diseases and can cause allergies and asthma. They are also extremely difficult to get rid of once you have roaches in the house. But how do cockroaches get into your clean house?

location

Some areas are more prone to roaches than others. The southeastern United States, particularly Georgia, Florida, and Alabama, is home to a large population of American cockroaches (aka palmetto bugs). If you live in these areas, you can expect to see these pests in your home despite regular cleaning. Unlike German cockroaches, American cockroaches are not associated with unsanitary conditions. They can enter your home through a gap in a window seal or through a door that is left open for an extended period of time.

Accessibility

Cockroaches come into your home looking for three things: food, shelter, and water. They have also developed the ability to use even the smallest opening as an entrance into your home. They can enter through cracks in exterior walls, dryer vents, or even the gaps between walls and floors. Conduct a thorough assessment of your home’s exterior and seal any entry points you find.

humidity

Cockroaches need moisture to survive, and this search for water gets them into even the cleanest of homes. Leaking pipes and faucets are one of the most common attractants for roaches and one of the main reasons you often see them in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. They also hide under refrigerators and air conditioners to indulge in their condensation, even drinking from pets’ water bowls if left out overnight. Cockroaches love places that are dark and undisturbed, so they’re often found in basements, in the dark corners of closets, and under large appliances, especially those that use water.

food sources

Cockroaches look for food sources wherever they can find them. Despite your best efforts to keep your kitchen spotless, these hardy pests can get by with just about anything there is to eat. In fact, they’ve been known to feast on cardboard, wallpaper paste, book covers, grease, leather, soap, and even human hair. They often hide in stacks of boxes in the attic and garage, in books you’ve kept for a long time, and even behind pictures hanging on the walls.

Forgotten Territories

While these areas may not need repair or even be visible, they can attract roaches and need to be treated to prevent a roach infestation. Cockroaches have been known to hide in the gaps between exterior doors and floors. They can enter your home through window screens that are not flush with the frame or have cracks or tears. They can also get in near air conditioners that don’t fit properly in windows and in trash cans that aren’t cleaned regularly, even those in your bathrooms.

landscaping

Cockroaches come to your yard looking for the same things they do in your home: food, shelter, and water. You can have as many cockroaches in your yard as you can in your house. Standing water in places like bird baths, flower pots, and gutters attracts roaches. Compost and wood piles provide food and shelter. Garbage and recycling bins provide an excellent food source. Leaf litter, dense vegetation and mulch or pine straw provide ideal hiding places.

Cockroaches are versatile pests that are extremely difficult to get rid of once they get into your home. There are some cockroach prevention measures you can take to prevent them from entering your home:

Seal all cracks around your house.

Repair all water leaks.

Remove all sources of standing water.

Try not to overwater houseplants.

Wipe down your kitchen counter after every meal.

Put dirty dishes directly in the dishwasher or rinse them immediately after use instead of leaving them in the sink overnight.

Wipe down your stove after cooking.

Sweep daily and vacuum weekly.

Store firewood and compost as far from your home as possible.

Keep your lawn and landscape clean and tidy.

It can be frustrating to work hard to keep your house clean and still have problems with roaches. If you have a roach problem or want to start a prevention program before they become a problem, contact a professional pest control company who can provide you with a customized pest control program using only the most innovative and advanced pest products and equipment available. Call us or request a free estimate to get started.

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Cockroaches are one of the worst household pests. They’re fast, fit into extremely small spaces, and tend to wreak havoc when we’re not looking or when we’re sleeping. If you’re dealing with your own cockroach problem, you’re probably wondering how the heck do you go about getting rid of these creepy crawlies?

Cockroaches have an incredible sense of smell, which they use to find food. You can capitalize on this fact by using scents they don’t like like thyme, citrus, basil, mint and citronella to ward them off from your home.

Below we explain exactly how to repel roaches with scents they don’t like. We’ll cover where to put these scents and what else you can do to rid your home of these pests for good!

Just to add – if you shop through links from Pest Pointers, we may earn affiliate commissions if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Why Use Scents to Repel Cockroaches?

When it comes to your home, there’s no question: cockroaches do NOT belong in it! So when you see these scurrying critters, you might want to run to the store and grab the strongest stuff you can to get rid of them.

So why even bother using scents they don’t like?

Cockroaches are stubborn and resilient

Cockroaches have a certain reputation. They are survivors.

If you’ve dealt with a roach problem in your home, you know these guys are persistent. It is this persistent trait that renders some commercial insecticides useless. Cockroaches reproduce so quickly that they can quickly develop resistance to certain insecticides.

Because of this, it’s not a bad idea to try something different. Something that is not mass-produced in the market and that a cockroach is likely already resistant to.

Fragrances can of course be used

We’re all familiar with the gross chemical smell associated with pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides. We’ve all read the warning labels on such products and seen the giant exclamation mark that catches our attention.

Using scents and smells to repel roaches is a more natural, and sometimes organic, approach to pest control. The chemicals and ingredients of the fragrances are found in nature, e.g. B. Limonene, an odor control agent derived from citrus fruits.

You don’t have to worry about your home smelling like a chemistry lab. Many of the scents and smells are appealing to humans, like peppermint, but repellent to roaches.

Scents help prevent a cockroach infestation

Fragrances are an excellent option for those who don’t already have a cockroach infestation. If you see one or two scurrying around, it’s time to start using off-putting scents.

When a home becomes infested with roaches, the use of odor repellents must be combined with other management strategies to effectively eliminate the pests. More on that later!

For now, just know that scents and smells are good deterrents for roaches. It won’t fix your problem if it’s already out of control. In this case, you should consult a professional to get rid of your pest problem.

8 Scents Cockroaches Hate (And How To Use Them)

Cockroaches can cause all sorts of problems in the home. Just because you only see one or two scurrying around doesn’t mean there aren’t dozens or *gulp* hundreds of them lounging around.

Those who are sensitive to allergies can have a really hard time when roaches are around. Cockroach droppings and dander can cause allergic reactions and asthma.

Also, cockroaches didn’t get their reputation as dirty pests for nothing. These pests will eat EVERYTHING, including feces. Because of this, they see no real difference between food left on the counter and animal droppings from mice or other pests.

When cockroaches move between feces and food, they can spread pathogens that can cause illness.

Needless to say, cockroaches need to be repelled! Here are some scents you can use to ward off those creepy crawlies from your home.

Minty smells repel roaches

Everyone loves the fresh scent of mint. Some like it in their chocolate, ice cream or candies. Whatever your preference, people seem to enjoy the smell of mint.

cockroaches? Not as much.

But this is good news for us! In a study of German cockroaches, cornmint oil was found to be highly effective at repelling roaches.

Without getting too bogged down in science, cornmint oil contains menthol and menthone, both of which repel roaches. You can buy it online, e.g. B. Plant Guru’s Cornmint Essential Oil.

Essential oils are typically concentrated, undiluted oils derived from plants. Because of this, you can extend the shelf life of the container by diluting it with water.

To use cornmint oil to repel roaches, add 12-16 drops of the essential oil to each cup of water. Pour the mixture into a glass spray bottle. Once you’ve established the roach hotspots with your sticky traps, spray the areas vigorously.

We recommend reapplying your spray at least once a week, but every 3-5 days is better. As we’ve said before, aim for cracks, openings, holes, and other small spaces where roaches might be. Spraying large open areas is not as effective as spraying the cracks where roaches hide.

Another relative of the mint family is catnip. While catnip can attract your cats and make them freak out after its calming effects, it definitely has roach repellent properties.

Cockroaches hate citronella

We’ve all heard about how great citronella candles are at repelling mosquitoes. Can they really repel cockroaches too?

Citronella candles are not very effective at repelling roaches. BUT citronella oil is! The reason the candles are not effective is that although cockroaches have wings, they rarely fly. The candles target flying insects such as gnats and gnats.

That’s okay because we can still use citronella oil to keep roaches at bay. Something like UpNature Citronella Essential Oil can help repel those roaches. You can use it in a spray by adding 10-15 drops per cup of water.

Alternatively, you can dilute the oil the same way and then soak a piece of cloth or paper towel in the mixture. Place these items near cockroach burrows to repel them.

Another citronella scent you can use is called citronellic acid and it is actually derived from lemongrass.

The sweet scent of pine to repel cockroaches

Pinene is a word you might not be familiar with, but we all know the smell of it. As we walk through a lush pine forest, crunching over fallen pine needles and taking deep breaths… ah, pine scent!

Smelling similar to basil and hops, beta pinene comes from pine, cedar, parsley, and tons of other plants. Without getting too bogged down with science again, beta-pinene is a terpene known to repel, and in some cases eliminate, roaches.

The best part? This amazing smelling oil can be used to repel cockroaches. You can buy it in oil form like FOGG Isolates Beta Pinene. Just add a dozen drops to a cup of water and you’re ready to spray!

Beta pinene’s cousin, alpha pinene, is also roach repellent, but not quite as effective.

Thyme to repel cockroaches

It’s thyme, um, time to ward off those roaches for good! One easy way to do this is by using the herb thyme.

Thyme contains a chemical called carvacrol that roaches seem to despise. Like many of the scents on our list, thyme is an essential oil that you can dilute and then put into a spray.

Another way you can use thyme to repel roaches is by actually planting the herb. This method is best used if you don’t already have a roach problem but are concerned about them coming into the house.

You can also sprinkle dried and shredded thyme on roach hot spots to keep them away from certain areas.

Use basil to keep roaches away

Remember our buddy Beta-Pinen? Basil has a similar scent and can be used to repel roaches from your home. It contains the chemical linalool, which is the defense factor in basil.

Just like thyme, basil is an essential oil that you can brew into a spray, but you can also just plant the herb around your home to repel roaches before they invade.

Just make sure they aren’t already in your house or they might be repelled to go back out!

Citrus fruits can repel cockroaches

Last on our list of scents and smells that roaches hate are citrus smells. We put this last because it tends to be the least effective in studies.

However, it still has a repellent effect, and you may have citrus in the house that you can use today while you find a more permanent solution.

You can use the peels of citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, grapefruits, and limes. Stick the rind into nooks and crannies where the roaches seem to be most concentrated. You should replace the trays at least once a week to stay effective.

How to use scents and smells to repel cockroaches

So… where the hell do you put those scents?

This depends on what type of cockroach you are dealing with. You don’t necessarily need to know what species of cockroach it is (there are thousands…yes, I said thousands), but identification can be helpful if you’re going down the professional route.

If you find cockroaches in your kitchen or bathroom, you are most likely dealing with the most common household cockroach: the German cockroach. They hang out in warm, humid areas, like the space under a leaking sink, behind toilets, and under appliances that emit heat.

Do you find roaches in your basement or floor drain? It’s probably an Oriental or American cockroach.

You understand it.

Certain cockroaches are attracted to certain areas. If you can figure out what type of roach you are dealing with, you may be able to identify the best area to use your repellent.

It is not recommended to use repellents or insecticides on countertops, floors or baseboards as it is unlikely to be effective. You need to target the specific area where the roaches are congregating.

That being said, it’s always a safe bet to spray any cracks, entrances, pipe entrances, holes or openings leading into the walls or ceilings such as: B. Entry points for electrical wiring. Cockroaches use these openings as a highway to move around your home and between apartments.

These conspicuous openings are the main reason why some well-kept, clean apartments and houses are infested with roaches. The guys scurry through cracks as small as 1/16 inch and race from apartment to apartment in search of food.

No thank you!

Use baited traps before using roach scents

So how exactly can you find out where cockroaches hang out? Many professionals suggest starting with decoy traps before you start repelling.

Baited traps like the Greener Mindset Roach Trap will give you a good idea of ​​where in your home the densest group of roaches are. This comes with 12 traps to place around your home. Think under the kitchen sink, under or behind large appliances, in the basement near a floor drain, or in your closets.

After a few days to a week, you can check the sticky traps and see which caught the most. This is where you should focus your defensive efforts.

Another important note about using scents and smells is that you need to reapply them frequently. Repellents work by teaching the roach to stay away from the areas where you used repellent.

If the repellent doesn’t stay in place, the roach won’t learn to stay away from that area and will keep coming back. In the same mindset, you should make sure to use repellents in ALL areas where roaches hang out. Otherwise, they will simply move to another area of ​​the house and continue to multiply.

Now that we’ve all sneaked in thoroughly, let’s take a look at some of the scents and smells you can use to deter roaches from getting anywhere near your home or apartment.

How to repel cockroaches in the long term

Cockroaches are not like other pests. They tend to hide where we can’t see them and reproduce fast enough to become immune to certain repellents.

In less than a year, a single German cockroach can breed thousands of new cockroaches. yuck

While scents and sprays can be effective in repelling roaches from certain areas, this is not a solution to your problem. To really get rid of cockroaches, you need to combine several different methods.

Don’t worry, we’ll walk you through everything so you can get rid of your cockroach problem for good!

If you are interested, you can read our in-depth guide to the best sprays, baits and traps for German cockroaches here.

keep it clean!

Cockroaches are attracted to food and moisture. Dirty dishes sitting in a semi-damp sink is like a blinking “Eat Here” light that attracts roaches.

Food or liquid spills should be cleaned up immediately. If you know you have a roach problem, avoid leaving foods like fruits, vegetables, and bread on the counter. Be sure to pick up pet food at night if you have it on the ground.

Garbage is a buffet for cockroaches. Not only is the smell strong enough to lure them in, but the trash can also be damp and warm from leftover food. Make sure you take out your trash every few days to keep the odor and moisture down.

Believe it or not, many roaches get into your home through grocery bags, furniture, and paper. If you have newspapers laying around, consider storing them elsewhere or in a locked container. Check your groceries before bringing them indoors.

Seal it!

As we mentioned earlier, roaches use small cracks and holes as highways to move between rooms, closets, and even apartments.

Check the areas where your plumbing meets the wall in the kitchen and bathroom. If there is even a tiny bit of space, a cockroach can fit through. Seal it with caulk.

Another place to look is where electrical wires meet the wall. This can be one way roaches get into your home and should be properly sealed.

Take care of your garden

Some cockroaches like the wood cockroach cannot survive indoors. However, they will occasionally get indoors during the warmer seasons like spring and summer.

Check your foundation for cracks and openings from the outside and make sure any screens in the windows are properly sealed.

If you have piles of wood or building materials in your yard, check them before you bring them indoors. Keep them neatly stacked and off the ground if possible.

Remove any plants or vines that are near your home, as these can harbor roaches and other unwanted guests.

boric acid and diatomaceous earth dust

Cockroaches can be repelled and even eliminated with insecticidal dust treatments. Something like Harris Boric Acid Powder is an excellent product for roaches. It comes with a duster to easily spread the product around your home.

The way these dust products work is that the particles stick to the roach as they move over it. Later, when the cockroach is preening, it will ingest the product. The cockroach will either be eliminated or made very ill, warning them never to return to this area.

As with any product you purchase, be sure to read the label for usage instructions and precautions you may need to take. You may want to go full blast with this product, but less is better as roaches avoid heavily dusty areas.

What smell do cockroaches love?

Now that we know what scents roaches hate, let’s talk about what they love. This way you can avoid having anything with these scents outdoors.

Cockroaches love the smell of candy. Anything that contains sugar, including chocolate, cookies, and fruit, is a major attractant for roaches. If you keep sugar on the counter for baking, make sure it’s properly sealed to keep the roaches out!

Food generally attracts roaches, but they are particularly attracted to starch. That means bread, potatoes, cereal, pasta… anything that contains starch. Make sure these foods are tightly sealed.

Do dead cockroaches attract more?

Cockroaches are pretty wild. They eat everything from human and animal waste to rotting vegetables.

And yes, they will even eat dead roaches of their own kind. Because of this, dead roaches have the potential to attract more roaches simply by the putrid smell.

Cockroaches have a very good sense of smell, and because they don’t discriminate with their food, the smell of a dead cockroach is no different to them than the smell of a freshly baked cookie. food is food

pack things

Dealing with a pest you just can’t seem to get rid of is never fun. Cockroaches are tough little buggers and hard to get rid of.

There are several ways you can try to solve the problem yourself before seeking professional help. Using scents and smells they don’t like is an easy and inexpensive way to repel roaches.

To recap, here are some of the scents that roaches hate:

corn mint oil

catnip oil

Citronella Oil

Lemongrass (citronellic acid)

Pine (alpha & beta pines)

thyme

basil

citrus peels

Ultimately, scents must be combined with other tactics to truly eliminate your roach problem. Keep your house clean, store papers properly, check food and firewood before bringing them indoors, and remember what attracts roaches so as not to let them out.

As always, consult a professional when in doubt or when you feel like you can’t handle your roach problem on your own!

references

Ngoh, S.P., Choo, L.E.W., Pang, F.Y., Huang, Y., Kini, M.R., & Ho, S.H. (1999, March 26). Insecticidal and repellent properties of nine essential oil volatiles against the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (L.). Pesticide Science, 54(3), 261-268.

Roth, L.M., & Willis, E.R. (1952, January). A study of the behavior of cockroaches. The American Midland Naturalist, 47(1), 66-129. https://www.jstor.org/stable/2421700

Schultz, G., Peterson, C., & Coats, J.R. (2006). Natural insect repellents: effective against mosquitoes and cockroaches. In Natural Products for Pest Management (Vol. 927, pp. 168-181). Entomological Publications.

Wharton, D.R.A. (1971). UV repellent and deadly effect on the American cockroach. Journal of Economic Entomology, 64(1).

Yoon C, Kang S-H, Yang J-O, Noh D-J, Indiragandhi P, & Kim G-H. (2009, April 28). Repellent effect of citrus oils against the cockroaches Blattella germanica, Periplaneta americana and P. fuliginosa. Journal of Pesticide Science, 34(2).

Cockroaches and disgust go together like fireworks and apple pie. For many, the sight of a roach in their home or business is enough to invoke an instant feeling of disgust and fear. Roaches in the house are a bad sign, and if you see even one roach, it usually means there are more that you can’t see. Even cockroaches outside the home can cause problems indoors; All they need is a single food scent to invade your home.

Here we will learn more about what kind of bug a cockroach is and how to distinguish it from other insects. Then we dive into the big question: does boric acid really work to kill roaches? We will take a closer look at how boric acid works against roaches and how you can use it against the roaches in your home. Then we analyze all the potential dangers of using boric acid, including whether or not it is harmful to pets. Finally, we will explore alternative methods of getting rid of roaches from your home.

What is a cockroach?

Besides boric acid, there are natural pesticides for cockroaches enciktepstudio/Shutterstock.com

Cockroaches are medium-sized insects, ranging in size from a quarter to the size of a cell phone. They are almost always dark or reddish brown; younger cockroaches, known as nymphs, are translucent white. Cockroaches begin life as eggs locked in egg cases; After hatching, they moult (moult) several times before reaching adulthood.

All cockroaches have six legs with visible spikes, they also have two long antennae. Most species are also endowed with wings, although few can achieve true flight. Cockroaches usually scurry around on the ground at night; They are nocturnal and spend most of their time foraging for food.

Other bugs are often confused with cockroaches

The most common bug mistaken for a cockroach is probably the beetle. Many beetle species superficially resemble roaches in size and color, but there are a few easy-to-spot differences between the two. First, bugs move slowly, unlike cockroaches, which quickly scurry away from any threat. Second, beetle antennas are very short compared to cockroach antennas.

Other bugs that are often confused with roaches include water bugs, bed bugs, and termites. You may also hear cockroaches called wood cockroaches or palmetto bugs; Rest assured they are all the same.

Does boric acid really work?

Boric acid kills roaches when ingested iStock.com/Puripatch Lokakalin

Boric acid is not a folk remedy when it comes to killing cockroaches; It really works. In fact, it is one of the most popular and inexpensive means of controlling infestations.

Like many cockroach venoms, boric acid works by first sticking to the outside of the roach due to its positive electrostatic charge. The roach brings the boric acid back to the nest, where it encounters even more roaches. Then, when the cockroaches groom themselves, they ingest the poison and die.

What do you mix with boric acid to kill cockroaches?

Boric acid alone does not attract cockroaches. Cockroaches are attracted to the smells of things they can eat, such as food, trash, debris, and garbage. So to make boric acid tempting to eat, you need to mix it with something sweet.

The best mix is ​​either powdered or table sugar. Mix one part sugar with three parts boric acid. Then you can sprinkle the mixture directly on spots where you’ve seen roaches, or you can place it on something like a paper plate. In any case, you should make sure that it is in a place where the cockroach can get.

How long does it take for boric acid to kill cockroaches?

Unfortunately, the only real way to kill a roach instantly is to crush it under your shoe. But you don’t have to kill roaches right away to get rid of the infestation. Boric acid takes about 72 hours to kill a roach, but if used effectively, it will kill every roach in your home. It is important to deal with the infestation promptly; Cockroaches spread pathogens and diseases.

Is boric acid dangerous for humans?

Boric acid is a common ingredient in many applications, from flame retardants to antiseptics. While it has its uses, it should never be ingested or inhaled. Boric acid ingestion is toxic to both adults and children.

If you suspect that you or someone you know has ingested boric acid, you should call the Poison Control Center right away.

Despite its toxicity when ingested, boric acid is still considered a relatively safe method of killing cockroaches. It’s especially effective when cockroaches get it on their bodies, go back to their nest, and then die. This is because no roach will say no to a simple meal, and a boric acid-laden roach is no exception. The other cockroaches eat the dead cockroach, poisoning themselves as well.

Is boric acid harmful to pets?

Boric acid is deadly to cockroaches; It should be used with caution around children and pets pixfly/Shutterstock.com

Boric acid should not be used in areas where pets have access. It is toxic if ingested; If you think your pet has ingested boric acid, you should seek medical attention immediately.

Instead of placing the boric acid in places frequented by pets or children, try using it in places they can’t get to. This can include the space under your refrigerator, closed base cabinets, and the spaces under furniture.

Alternatives to boric acid

Boric acid is not the only effective way to get rid of a cockroach infestation. You can also use insecticide sprays, baited roach traps, baking soda, or borax. Alternatively, if you don’t want to solve the problem on your own, you can hire a professional pest control expert.

If you decide to fight the cockroaches yourself, it is extremely important to take the right precautions. Minimize exposure to chemicals by wearing appropriate PPE such as rubber gloves, goggles, and even masks. It is important to limit opportunities for both ingestion and inhalation. Remember – you want the boric acid to harm the roach, not you.