Are you battling a roach infestation that has you feeling uncomfortable in your own home? Try these tips to send them packing.
Handling a roach infestation can be incredibly stressful. There is a very real stigma associated with these persistent pests–"if you have roaches, then your home must be filthy." But the truth is roaches don't always discriminate. They will make themselves at home in any home, regardless of how clean it is. Their favorite spots include pantries, cupboards, and behind appliances– but they can be found anywhere.
Are you battling a roach infestation that has you feeling uncomfortable in your own home? Try these tips to send them packing:
Clean Up
Although your home doesn't need to be dirty to attract roaches, if you want to eliminate an infestation then your home must be clean. That means no unwashed dishes in the sink or overflowing garbage cans–especially at night when roaches are most active. While you're cleaning, be sure to dispose of any cardboard items laying around. Roaches prefer to breed in cardboard items!
Seal Cracks and Crevasses
Roaches have to get inside your home somehow–usually from the outside. Reduce areas of access by sealing up cracks in your walls and floorboards. All you need is a caulking gun from a home improvement store, and you can follow the directions on the label.
DIY Repellent
These recipes are lethal for cockroaches, who are drawn to the sugar inside.
Baking Soda and Sugar Water (non-toxic)
After ingesting the solution, the baking soda combines with the roach's stomach acid to create a gas. The gas builds up until its stomach bursts, killing the roach. Over time, the other cockroaches will feed on the dead cockroaches, also ingesting the baking soda–and the process will continue.
1. Mix equal parts sugar and baking soda in a small dish.
2. Set a second dish containing water beside it.
3. Replenish as necessary
Borax and Sugar Water (toxic)
This recipe works similarly to the one above. In this case, the Borax dehydrates the roach's exoskeleton.
1. Mix 3 parts borax to 1 part sugar in a dish.
2. Sprinkle wherever you see roaches.
Warning: Keep in mind that this recipe is no safe for humans or pets to ingest.
Essential Oils
Did you know roaches dislike the scent of cypress oil and peppermint oil? Make your own spray by mixing 8 drops cypress oil and 10 drops peppermint oil in 1/2 cup of water. Pour into a glass bottle and spray any area where cockroaches are found.
Sometimes, even with these preventative measures and DIY tricks, the only way to get rid of cockroaches is with professional help. Here at Evergreen, we use the most cutting-edge pest control solutions to keep your home free of cockroaches. Our three-step process includes:
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Prevention: to stop roaches from getting inside in the first place.
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Monitoring: to ensure we respond before there's a problem.
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Continued control: to keep roaches away for the long-term.
