How to Get Rid of Roaches Naturally Faster

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Cockroaches are among the most unwelcome and unpleasant pests that can infiltrate your home.

Not only do they spread harmful bacteria throughout your living space, but they can also bring illnesses to your family.

Even more so than rats and mice. For sure, the problem is worse than you think if you see bugs or signs of them often in your home.

This is especially true in apartments and other multi-family buildings, where power lines, cables, and natural gaps in the building’s structure are used by cockroaches as a “superhighway” to sneak from one unit to the next.

It’s always a good idea to look for natural ways to get rid of pests, but it’s also important to know what to expect when you’re trying to get rid of cockroaches.

At times, chemical control is necessary to eliminate cockroach swarms. If you don’t use regular pest control methods, the problem gets worse.

Begin with the natural steps outlined in this guide, but don’t hesitate to seek professional help if the issue persists.

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What Do Cockroaches Like?

Bugs like cockroaches live in places that are dark and warm, like our homes and buildings.

People bring them into their homes by moving inside when it gets cooler, or more often, they bring them in from somewhere else, like a grocery store, school, or nearby apartment.

Roaches will eat almost anything naturally, but homes that have what pest control experts call “conducive conditions” are more likely to get them.

Cockroaches like to live in the following places:

A mess from food in a kitchen where roaches can eat easily
Grease builds up around or under machines
Water leaks create the warm, damp conditions that roaches love

Cockroaches can get to rotting food and move from one floor to another through garbage chutes in buildings.

Signs That You Have a Cockroach Problem

Roaches are tough; they can survive freezing temperatures, breed very quickly, and over time, they become less sensitive to many chemical treatments.

Roaches are active at night, so you probably won’t see them during the day unless there are a lot of them.

Some common signs of a cockroach problem are:

Musty smell
Droppings, which are often linked to asthma caused by allergies

Roaches that are dead
Shed skin, Egg shells

Also learn: 7 Effective Natural Roach Repellents for Home

Are You Sure It’s a Roach?

Here’s a simpler guide to spotting different types of cockroaches:

German Cockroach: These are small, about half to three-quarters of an inch long. They’re light brown with two stripes on their backs. They’re the most common type in the U.S. and can be found everywhere.
American Cockroach: These are big, some even longer than two inches. They’re usually reddish-brown with markings on their heads that resemble raccoons. You can find them all across the U.S.

Smokybrown Cockroach: They look like smaller versions of American cockroach nymphs, usually about one to one and a half inches long. They’re rounder and darker, good at flying, and they love the warm, humid climates of the southern U.S.
Asian Cockroach: These look a lot like German cockroaches but have longer, narrower wings. They originally come from Japan but are now common in the southern U.S. and spreading west.
Brown-banded Cockroach: These are small and like to hide in furniture. They’re about half an inch long with light brown bands across their bodies and wings. You can find them all over the U.S.

Why Natural Methods Need More Than Just a Spray

Here’s the thing: you can’t just spritz peppermint oil and call it a day.

Roaches don’t die easily. You’re up against their whole life cycle:

Eggs (ootheca) glued to hard-to-reach spots

Nymphs hatching and scouting
Adults hiding, breeding, and living rent-free

And they’ll keep coming unless you break that cycle at every stage.

That’s why smart natural control always involves a mix:

Powders to kill and dehydrate
Baits to poison from the inside

Oils to repel
Clean-up to take away food/water
Sealing to shut the door behind them

It’s not complicated—but it does require layering your efforts. You don’t need to nuke your kitchen. You just need to outsmart them.

Effective Home Remedies for Getting Rid of Roaches Naturally

If you’re seeing roaches every day, it’s time to stop chasing them with paper towels and start using products that actually work.

And yes, there are natural options that don’t smell like bug poison or make you feel like you’re living in a science lab.

Below are the top three Amazon picks that hit hard and fit well into a natural pest control routine.

They work better when layered, bait kills from the inside, spray knocks out stragglers, and concentrate covers the whole house.

Let’s break them down.

Clean Really Well

A clean area is the first step to long-lasting cockroach control. Cockroaches like dirty places because they have food and places to hide in the mess.

Cockroaches like to live in kitchens, bathrooms, and garbage areas because they have a lot of food waste, drain scum, and water from sinks, drains, and leaks.

They also like to hide under sink cabinets and vanities. Clean those places really well and fix any leaks.

Vacuum often

When trying to get rid of the German cockroach, which is the most common insect that comes into homes, vacuuming is especially important.

Vacuuming gets rid of food particles, roach droppings that can cause asthma, and other roach debris.

It’s also necessary to get rid of future German cockroach populations.

Some roach species lay their eggs in boxes, but German roach females carry their eggs on their backs.

By cutting down on the number of adult roaches, including females, you stop them from reproducing and get rid of all the eggs at once. Don’t forget to empty your vacuum often, though.

Examine Seals Around Windows and Doors

A common way for cockroaches to enter a house is through broken windows and door seals.

Inspect all seals and apply caulk to any openings or gaps to keep them out.

He adds that putting in door sweeps can help get rid of tiny openings that cockroaches can use to get inside.

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BugMD Roach & Ant Killer Spray – Plant-Based & Pet-Friendly

When you want to spray the heck out of something, but don’t want your house to smell like a chemical lab, BugMD steps up.

It’s made from essential oils like citronella and clove, giving it a fresh scent and an insecticidal punch.

It kills bugs on contact and repels them long-term without staining surfaces. If you’ve got pets, toddlers, or sensitive lungs, this one’s a keeper.

Why people love it:

Natural, plant-based ingredients

No toxic fumes or lingering odors
Safe for indoor use around kids and animals (when dry)
Works on roaches, ants, spiders, flies, and more

How to use it:

Spray around trash cans, sink drains, vents, entryways, cracks, baseboards, and door thresholds
Reapply every few days in high-traffic areas

Avoid using directly over baits—it can repel roaches from feeding

This is your daily-use spray—like setting up a natural, invisible wall around your space.

Click here to check price on Amazon

Coffee Ground Jar Trap (Yes, Really)

Roaches are drawn to the smell of coffee. It’s weird but true. They crawl in, but thanks to slick glass walls and water at the bottom, they can’t crawl out.

What you’ll need:

A clean glass jar

Damp coffee grounds
Water
Petroleum jelly or oil

How to make it:

Put about an inch of damp coffee grounds at the bottom of the jar.
Add a little water (just enough so it stays moist).

Rub petroleum jelly along the inner rim of the jar to make it slippery.
Place the jar against a wall where roaches like to hang out.

Roaches crawl in, get stuck, and drown. Toss the whole mess in the trash and repeat.

Want a ready-made version? Try this reusable sticky roach trap that works similarly without the DIY mess.

Advion Cockroach Gel Bait (4 Tubes)

This is the go-to roach killer used by professionals—and the good news is you can buy it without hiring one.

What makes Advion so effective is the active ingredient: Indoxacarb. It’s slow-acting, which might sound counterintuitive, but it’s genius.

Roaches eat it and go back to their hiding spots, where they poop, groom each other, or die, spreading the poison to other roaches through contact or cannibalism.

The whole colony gets infected from just a few bites.

Why it works:

Doesn’t repel roaches, roaches are attracted to it
Spreads through the population (secondary kill effect)

Starts working in 24–48 hours with noticeable reduction in 3–7 days
Easy to apply in tight spaces

Where and how to apply:

Use a dot (pea-sized) every 1–2 feet along baseboards, cabinet hinges, under sinks, behind your fridge, inside drawers—anywhere they crawl
Don’t place it near strong-smelling cleaners or essential oils (they can deter feeding)
Reapply every 2–3 weeks if needed

Pro tip: Don’t expect immediate silence, roaches may appear more for the first few days. That’s them coming to eat. Let it happen.

Click here to check price on Amazon

Borax and Sugar: Still a Classic

This one’s been passed down like a secret recipe, and it works because it’s sneaky. Borax kills by dehydrating a roach from the inside out.

Sugar? That’s just bait.

How to use it:

Mix equal parts borax and white sugar

Sprinkle it along baseboards, under the fridge, and inside lower cabinets (out of reach of pets/kids)
Leave overnight and vacuum excess in the morning

This one takes time, but it wrecks colonies from the inside.

Product Pick:
Get a food-safe, ready-made version like JT Eaton 365 Answer Boric Acid Insecticidal Dust for more controlled results.

Roach Infestation Neutralizer Concentrate

Sometimes, you need backup for a full-on roach takeover. If you’ve seen multiple roaches during the day, chances are you’re dealing with a serious infestation.

This concentrate was made for those moments.

It mixes with water and creates a powerful, ready-to-spray solution that’s designed to eliminate roaches, spiders, ants, and other creepy invaders across larger areas.

Best for:

Apartments with shared walls

Garages, basements, and storage closets
Rental properties or multi-family units
Follow-up after deep cleaning or construction work

How to use it:

Dilute the concentrate into a spray bottle as directed (usually 1 oz per 16 oz of water)
Spray into wall gaps, under baseboards, around plumbing lines, behind shelves, and along foundations

Let it air dry, no need to rinse

This product is ideal if you want something stronger than oils but gentler than foggers.

It’s especially useful if your infestation seems to bounce back after every attempt.

Click here to check price on Amazon

Petroleum Jelly – Sticky Roach Trap

Petroleum jelly can be used to create sticky traps to monitor and catch roaches.

Ingredients:

A small dark jar

Bread or food scraps
1 tablespoon of petroleum jelly
Gloves (optional)

Instructions:
Paint the inside of a jar with petroleum jelly. Place food inside as bait.

The roaches will crawl in and become trapped by the sticky surface.

Place the jar in areas where roaches are active.

Baking Soda & Sugar: The Roach Booby Trap

This old-school combo is like a DIY landmine for roaches. Sugar draws them in, and baking soda reacts with their digestive system and causes internal damage.

It’s not an instant kill, but it’s effective over time.

What you’ll need:

1 tablespoon baking soda
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
Bottle caps, jar lids, or shallow dishes

What to do:

Mix equal parts sugar and baking soda.
Spoon it into small lids and place near roach hot spots—under the fridge, behind toilets, under the sink.

Check and refill every 2–3 days.

This isn’t a colony-killer like gel bait, but it’s helpful in low-level infestations or in spots where you can’t use commercial products.

Diatomaceous Earth: Sharp Dust That Cuts Them Up

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is like microscopic glass shards to a roach. It sticks to their body and cuts into their waxy exoskeleton, drying them out until they die.

You’ll want food-grade DE—the kind safe enough to use around pets and people.

How to use it:

Lightly dust along baseboards, window sills, and under appliances

Don’t pile it—roaches avoid thick layers. A barely visible dusting works best
Reapply after vacuuming or mopping

Tip: Use a flour sifter or empty spice jar for an even sprinkle.

Want to make it even easier? Check out this Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth on Amazon with a built-in puffer applicator.

Peppermint Oil Spray: Smells Great, Roaches Hate It

Essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, and tea tree don’t just freshen the air—they send roaches packing.

Peppermint oil is especially strong. It’s a natural insecticide and repellent.

Homemade Peppermint Spray:

10 drops peppermint oil
1 cup water
1 teaspoon mild dish soap
Spray bottle

Mix, shake, and spray along windowsills, sink corners, pantry edges, and baseboards.

Reapply every few days or after wiping the surface.

Want a ready-made version? You’ll love this Pre-Mixed Peppermint Bug Spray on Amazon—it smells like mint gum and works fast.

Sticky Traps with Peanut Butter

Peanut butter is catnip for roaches. If you’ve got some glue traps or even strong double-sided tape, you can lure them to their doom.

Steps:

Dot peanut butter on the center of a sticky trap.
Place near drains, behind stoves, or under appliances.

Roaches walk across for a taste and get stuck. You’ll get a satisfying visual the next morning.

Looking for a no-mess version? These MAXGUARD Pantry Moth Traps are discreet, odorless, and seal away the bugs once they’re trapped.

Smart Routines: What to Do Morning and Night

You don’t need to spend all day chasing roaches — but you do need a rhythm. Just like you brush your teeth twice a day (hopefully), your home deserves a little roach check-in.

Let’s split it up. Here’s what your morning and night should look like if you’re serious about getting those suckers out for good.

Morning Routine (5–10 minutes)

Quick floor sweep or vacuum — Especially around the fridge, stove, trash can, and pet bowls. Roaches love leftover crumbs.
Check sticky traps — If you’ve placed roach motels (like MAXGUARD Pantry Moth Traps), give them a peek. Toss and replace if full.
Wipe down kitchen counters and sink — No moisture, no snacks = no reason to hang around.
Reapply natural repellent spray — Mist around baseboards, cabinet edges, and window frames with something like BugMD Roach Spray. It’s kid-safe and essential-oil-based, so no choking chemical fumes before coffee.

Want to go extra? Add a small bowl with baking soda and sugar under the sink or behind the toilet.

It’s a sneaky, safe trap they won’t even notice.

Night Routine (10–15 minutes)

This is prime time. Roaches are nocturnal, so your evening moves make or break the battle.

Run the dishwasher or empty the sink — A sink full of dirty water? That’s basically a spa day for roaches.
Empty trash bins — especially kitchen and bathroom. Even better if you spritz some BugMD spray inside before replacing the bag.
Re-dot your gel bait — Check if the Advion Gel Bait is still in place. Refresh every few nights in high-traffic zones.
Turn off lights early — Weird, but effective. Roaches hate sudden light changes, so turning lights off early makes them venture out into your traps sooner.
Wipe pet bowls — If your dog or cat grazes, make sure food isn’t sitting out overnight.

It’s boring. But it works. Think of it like flossing — invisible effort that pays off big time later.

Why Roaches Keep Coming Back (And What You Can Do About It)

You’ve cleaned. You’ve sprayed. You’ve set bait. So why are there still roaches doing the midnight cha-cha across your counter?

Here’s the unfiltered truth: roaches are persistent freeloaders. They don’t just wander in.

They come with a plan, and often, you’re unknowingly helping them stick around.

Common Reasons They Keep Coming Back

You’re killing the ones you see, not the ones you don’t.
Most people only notice 10% of the roach population. The rest are hiding in warm, damp, dark crevices—behind your dishwasher, under the fridge, in wall voids. That’s why baiting and sealing go hand in hand.
You’re not treating eggs.
A single roach egg case (ootheca) can contain up to 50 babies. If you’re not vacuuming regularly or using powder-based killers like boric acid or diatomaceous earth, those eggs are just waiting to hatch.
You’re giving them water—even if you don’t realize it.
A dripping faucet or sweating pipe is a 24/7 water source. Roaches can live without food for a month… but take away their water, and they’re done in a week.
They’re coming from your neighbors.
Especially in apartments, duplexes, or townhomes. Even if you do everything right, one lazy neighbor can blow it for everyone. That’s when sealing cracks, baseboards, and outlets becomes a must.
You forgot the garage. Or laundry room. Or attic.
Roaches don’t just hang out in kitchens. If your garage has a cereal box from 2019 or your attic gets steamy in summer? That’s paradise for pests.

Fix It With These Moves:

Seal up entry points:
Use Great Stuff Pestblock Foam around plumbing holes, vents, and cracks. Caulk along baseboards and behind sinks.
Dry out problem zones:
Run a dehumidifier in your laundry room or basement. Fix leaks. Wipe your sink dry every night (yes, really). Roaches hate dry.
Use a total defense kit:
If you’re still seeing activity after 2 weeks, go full force with something like the
BugMD Starter Kit (Plant-Powered Roach Killer)
It includes concentrated essential oil spray that’s safe around kids and pets, plus refillable bottles to make it last longer.
Switch to longer-term control:
If bait stops working, rotate with another method. Try the
Neutralizer Roach & Spider Killer (Long-Term Residual Spray)
It’s made to last on surfaces like baseboards and door frames, targeting them as they cross paths hours—or days—later.

These aren’t sexy fixes. They’re not flashy. But they work. Roach infestations are like that one ex who keeps texting at 2 a.m., if you don’t cut off every point of contact, they’ll keep showing up.

BONUS TIP: Use a Combo for Real Results

The truth? No single product is going to handle everything. Roaches are survivors. They adapt, they hide, and they multiply like it’s a sport.

Here’s what usually works best:

Use gel bait for nest-killing
Spray peppermint products for daily repelling
Drop bait stations where you can’t spray or reach
Dust boric acid or DE under appliances and along corners

Use this rotation for 2–3 weeks and you’ll see the tide turn.

FAQs About Roaches and Natural Pest Control

This is where all the “but what if?” questions come out. People spend hours Googling things like “why do I have roaches if my house is clean?” or “will peppermint oil actually kill anything?”

So let’s answer the stuff everyone’s secretly wondering.

Why are there roaches in my house if I keep it clean?

This one stings — because you’ve been wiping down counters like a champ, and somehow they’re still partying in the pantry.

The truth? Roaches aren’t just after food crumbs.

They’re also after:

Water (think: dripping pipes, pet bowls, damp sponges)
Warmth (inside appliances, behind your fridge)
Shelter (cracks, baseboards, cardboard boxes)

You might be clean, but if you’ve got one tiny water leak under the sink, that’s all it takes. Roaches are like survivalists — they’ll thrive on the bare minimum.

Can roaches just go away on their own?

Honestly? No. Once they’re inside, they settle in. They multiply fast (one female can lay 300+ eggs), and they’ll just move from room to room.

If you’re seeing one or two, there are probably more behind the walls — and waiting doesn’t make them leave.

Even with natural remedies, you need a plan and consistency. Spraying peppermint twice and calling it a day won’t cut it.

Do peppermint oil and essential oils really work on roaches?

Yes — but they’re not a kill-all. Think of peppermint oil sprays like strong cologne: it might drive someone away, but it doesn’t knock them unconscious.

Products like BugMD or Badger Bug Spray do repel roaches and make your home smell fresh. But if you’ve got an infestation, pair them with something like Advion Gel Bait to actually kill the colony.

What’s the fastest way to kill roaches naturally?

If you want fast and natural:

Mix equal parts baking soda and sugar in a shallow dish. Place it near hot spots (under the sink, behind the toilet).
Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the baseboards. It slices through their shells, drying them out (gross, but effective).
Use boric acid with a dash of peanut butter or sugar to bait them.

Still — these take time. That’s why many folks use a natural spray for prevention and gel bait for elimination.