No one wants to live in a roach motel, but unfortunately for some people that is their reality. If you are one of the unlucky ones who have cockroaches living in your apartment, don’t worry, you’re not alone.
These pesky critters can be difficult to get rid of, but with the right information and tools, you can banish them for good! In this blog post, we will discuss how to get rid of cockroaches in your living space using safe and effective methods.
Contents
Why Get Rid Of Cockroaches?
Cockroaches are not only a nuisance, but they can also be dangerous to your health, so it’s important to take action if you think you may have these bugs in your home.
Did you know that cockroaches carry disease? They are known to carry bacteria that can cause food poisoning, dysentery, and even typhoid fever. In addition, their droppings can trigger asthma attacks in people who are allergic to them.
Where Do Roaches Come From?
Do you know where cockroaches come from? Most people think that cockroaches come from dirty places, but that’s not necessarily true.
Cockroaches can come from a variety of places, including small cracks in the floor, holes, small openings in walls, and even drains. In fact, cockroaches can travel up to 30 miles per night looking for food and water!
Where Do Roaches Come From In Apartments?
Once they are in an apartment building, they can quickly spread. If they find their way into one apartment, the neighboring apartments might be next on their list. They’ll keep looking until they find the conditions that attract roaches.
Signs Of Roach Infestation
Some of the signs of a cockroach infestation in an apartment include seeing the roaches themselves, noticing their droppings, and finding egg cases. If you see any of these signs, it is important to take action to get rid of the cockroaches as soon as possible.
You may have cockroaches if you see:
- Droppings that look like coffee grounds or black pepper.
- Egg cases that are light brown or beige and about 1/4 inch long.
- You might also see dark smears on walls or floors; that would be cockroach blood.
- Live cockroaches, especially at night. They are small and dark brown or black. Cockroaches are nocturnal creatures, so if you see one during the daytime, it’s a good indication that there’s an infestation.
Roaches also emit an unpleasant musty smell.
What Smells Do Cockroaches Hate?
Get the cockroaches to “walk on by” by making your home less welcoming. Cockroaches are repelled by certain smells. Here are a few of the smells that cockroaches hate:
- Citrus: Citrus fruits like oranges and lemons contain a chemical called limonene, which is known to repel cockroaches. You can lay orange or lemon peel around or you also use lemon essential oil with water as a spray.
- Peppermint: Peppermint oil is another effective way to keep cockroaches away. Just add a few drops of peppermint oil to a spray bottle filled with water and mist around your home.
- Bay leaves: Bay leaves are often used as a natural insecticide. Cockroaches hate the smell of bay leaves, so placing them around your home can help keep these pests away.
- Garlic: Garlic is another effective cockroach repellent. Just crush a few cloves of garlic and place them around your home in areas where you’ve seen cockroaches. You can also add garlic to a spray bottle filled with water and mist around your home.
Herbal Spray
Cockroaches hate many different herbs, but especially mint, lavender, and thyme. You can use these herbs to make a natural cockroach repellent. Simply mix a teaspoon of each herb with water in a spray bottle and spritz it around your apartment.
Cockroaches are nasty pests, but with a little effort, you can deter them from coming into your home; hopefully they’ll say “no thank you” and proceed to another apartment.
What To Do If You Have A Roach Infestation
If you think you have cockroaches, it’s important to get rid of them as soon as possible. Here are a few tips:
- If you’re renting, inform your landlord or property manager.
- Start by cleaning your entire apartment from top to bottom. This will remove any food sources that the cockroaches are attracted to.
- Identify where the cockroaches are coming from.
- Sealing cracks or crevices they’re using to get into your home will stop a future roach problem.
- Remove food sources by keeping food in sealed containers and cleaning up any crumbs or spills immediately.
- Set traps with bait that attracts cockroaches and make sure to empty them regularly.
- One of the best ways to get rid of roaches in your apartment is to call a professional pest control company. These companies have the experience and knowledge necessary to effectively eliminate pest issues such as this. They will also be able to provide you with tips on how to prevent cockroaches from returning in the future.
How To Kill Roaches
If you want to take this infestation problem into your own hands, there are a few things you can try.
How To Kill Roaches Naturally
If you have kids or pets, you don’t want to be spraying chemicals around willy-nilly. It’s not safe.
For these methods, you’ll need to be prepared to dispose of the roach bodies. Plus, they will only kill the roaches that are walking around and not the nest.
How To Kill Roaches With Baking Soda
Baking soda needs a food to act as a bait. You could mix it with sugar and sprinkle it where you have seen the roaches You could use a food that the baking soda can adhere to, such as finely chopped vegetables or peanut butter.
How To Kill Roaches With Boric Acid
One popular method is to use boric acid. Boric acid is a white powder that’s commonly used as an insecticide. It’s only toxic if swallowed or inhaled in large quantities.
- Mix three parts boric acid powder and one part sugar.
- Simply sprinkle this mixture around your apartment, paying special attention to areas where cockroaches are likely to hide, such as under the sink or in cracks and crevices.
How To Get Rid Of Roaches With Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a natural product that is made up of the fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of algae. It is a fine, white powder that can be used to kill insects. When diatomaceous earth is sprinkled on an insect, the sharp edges of the powder cut into the insect’s skin, causing it to dehydrate and die.
Diatomaceous earth is safe to use around humans and pets. To get rid of cockroaches, sprinkle the powder in areas where you have seen them or think they may be hiding.
Be sure to sweep up any powder that you see before using your vacuum again, as it can damage the vacuum filter.
If you have a cockroach problem, diatomaceous earth is a great way to get rid of them. Just be sure to use it carefully and follow the instructions on the package.
What Is The Best Way To Kill Roaches If There Are No Kids Or Pets Around?
If there are only (responsible) adults around, you have a choice of some very highly-rated products on Amazon designed to rid your home of cockroaches. We’ve found a great gel, a bait station and a spray that are reported as very effective.
What Attracts Roaches?
Cockroaches are looking for the normal things in life: food, water, somewhere to stay, and somewhere to raise the kids. They are very opportunistic, so make sure that your place doesn’t offer them all the amenities that they’re looking for.
Some of their favorite things are poor sanitation, moisture leaks, dirty dishes, undisturbed dark corners, and hiding places.
Why Do I Have Roaches In My Clean Apartment?
It’s alarming to see cockroaches in your clean apartment. One of the main reasons cockroaches are so difficult to get rid of is because they can squeeze into tiny spaces.
This means that even if you think your apartment is squeaky clean, there could be hiding places for cockroaches that you’re not aware of.
How Do I Find Out Where Roaches Are Coming From?
If you’ve been seeing cockroaches in your apartment, the first thing you want to do is find out where they’re coming from.
Cockroaches can come into your home through tiny cracks and crevices in the walls, under doors, or even through the drains in your sink or bathtub.
The best way to find out where the roaches are coming from is to perform a thorough inspection of your apartment. Start by checking all of the nooks and crannies where cockroaches might be hiding, such as under the kitchen sink, inside cabinets, or in the corners of the room. You should also check for any signs of moisture damage, which can be a breeding ground for cockroaches.
Where Do Cockroaches Hide?
Did you know that cockroaches can live almost anywhere? In fact, they can thrive in some of the dirtiest places around. So where do these pests like to hide?
- Cockroaches are attracted to dirty environments, so one of their favorite hiding spots is under the sink or in cracks and crevices.
- Also, check the bathroom, including the cabinets and the drains.
- If there is a water leak, that’s a handy spot for them, because they do need a drink every now and then. Look around as much of your plumbing system and pipes as you can.
- They’ll take any opportunity to hide. They like to hide in cardboard boxes, inside appliances, and behind picture frames, even in clothing and luggage.
- If you have a pile of seasoned wood ready to light the fire, don’t leave it there undisturbed for too long, because the roaches will take up residence there.
- And if you have an outdoor pet, be sure to check the pet food bowl and water dish for roaches before letting your pet eat or drink from them.
How To Keep Roaches Away Forever
The short answer is, to make your place uninviting for cockroaches. Take preventative measures and make sure there is no food or water for them, and nowhere to hide.
Be Vigilant
Inspect your home regularly for signs of cockroaches. If you see any roaches or evidence of them, it’s time to take action.
Be A Detective
The best way to determine whether or not you have cockroaches is to look for their droppings. Cockroach droppings are small, dark, and cylindrical in shape. They often look like coffee grounds or black pepper. If you see droppings near food or water sources, such as sinks, there’s a good chance you have a cockroach infestation.
You May As Well Clean Behind The Fridge While You’re There…
Check behind your appliances; that’s a favorite spot for roaches. Lots of space to hide with very little disturbance. Think like a cockroach: look in crevices and corners and also near potential food sources.
Fill In Any Prospective Roach Entrances
Seal cracks or openings in your home’s foundations, walls or windows. Cockroaches can squeeze through incredibly small spaces, so it’s important to make sure there are no gaps for them to get through.
Take Preventative Action
Install door sweeps and window screens to keep roaches out. These pests are good climbers, so it’s important to take measures to keep them from getting inside your home in the first place.
Declutter
Remove clutter from your home to reduce their hiding places. Cockroaches like dark, damp, and cluttered areas where they can hide during the day. By decluttering your home, you’ll make it less inviting for them.
Vacuum
Use a vacuum cleaner to remove cockroaches and their eggs from your floors and carpets. This is an important step in getting rid of these pests as it will remove any that are already inside your home as well as their eggs, which can hatch into more cockroaches.
Clean Drains
Did you know that cockroaches can be kept out of your home by simply keeping your drains clean? It’s true! Cockroaches are attracted to dirty drains, as they provide a perfect place for them to live and breed. If you want to keep these pests away for good, make sure to clean your drains regularly – at least once a week. You can use a simple mixture of vinegar and baking soda to do the job. Just pour it down the drain and let it sit for a few minutes before flushing with hot water.
If You’re Suspicious…
Apply an insecticide gel or cockroach spray to suspected areas where cockroaches are nesting but keep the pets and kids away. This will help to kill any remaining roaches and prevent more from coming into your home.
Keep At It
Keeping your apartment clean and clutter-free will deter cockroaches. They are attracted to dirty environments, so by keeping your place clean, you make it less attractive to them.
Vacuum regularly, sweep and mop your floors with a dash of lemon essential oil, and wash dishes as soon as you’re done using them.
In addition, make sure to seal up any food that’s left out in the open. Cockroaches are attracted to the smell of food, so by sealing up snacks and other items, you can help keep them away.
Conclusion
By following these tips, you can hopefully succeed in dealing with the cockroaches that are currently living in your apartment. And if you can keep your place clean and free of clutter, you can help prevent roaches from coming back and causing future infestations. Cockroaches are nasty pests, but with a little effort, you can keep them out of your home for good.
