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 needed to get rid of cockroach swarms. If you don’t use regular pest control methods, the problem gets worse.
Start with the natural steps in this guide, but don’t be afraid to call a professional if things don’t get better.
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 that make 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
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Also learn: 7 Effective Natural Roach Repellents for Home
How to Identify Cockroaches
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.
Effective Home Remedies for Getting Rid of Roaches Naturally
Going with natural options at the start is a good idea, but it will take work and attention to detail. To get rid of cockroaches naturally, you just need to get rid of and keep an eye on the conditions listed above.
Wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty, and bring a dust mask and a good flashlight with you.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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 assist get rid of tiny openings that cockroaches can use to get inside.
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4. Coffee Grounds
Coffee’s natural acidity and strong odor act as a deterrent to roaches. The smell repels them, and the acidity can be harmful to their systems.
How to Use:
- 1 cup of coffee grounds
- A disposable container
Instructions:
Place the coffee grounds in an open container and set it in areas where roaches are frequently seen. The strong smell will naturally repel them.
5. Borax – A Fast-Acting Roach Killer
Borax, a mineral salt of boric acid, is an effective homemade roach killer. It works by attacking the cockroaches’ nervous system and drying them out.
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons of Borax
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
- A disposable bowl or container
Instructions:
Mix the Borax and sugar in a bowl. Sprinkle the mixture in high areas such as the tops of cabinets, under sinks, and in dark, damp corners. The sugar attracts the roaches, and when they consume the mixture, they will die quickly.
6. BugMD Ant Killer & Bug Spray: A Powerful, Plant-Powered Defense for a Pest-Free Home
If you’re on the lookout for a reliable yet naturally derived solution to keep your home pest-free, look no further than the BugMD Ant Killer & Bug Spray.
This top-rated product is designed to tackle everything from ants and roaches to spiders, Bedbugs, and flies—without relying on harsh chemicals.
Plus, they’re safe for your family and pets since they don’t contain harsh chemicals. Setting up is a breeze, just remove the adhesive covering, place the bait, fold the trap, and let it do its job.
Why Choose BugMD Over Traditional Sprays?
- Health & Safety: Free of synthetic chemicals that can linger in the air.
- Plant-Powered Ingredients: Clove oil and cottonseed oil instead of harsh chemicals.
- Fast-Acting: Kills many bugs on contact, with total elimination within minutes.
- Easy to Use: Just mix the concentrate with water in the included spray bottle.
- Highly Rated: With thousands of positive reviews and a solid 4.0 out of 5 stars, BugMD has earned its reputation among homeowners.
- Budget-Friendly: 44% savings off the list price and an optional Subscribe & Save coupon help you keep costs down.
- Pleasant (or at least Tolerable) Scent: Unlike traditional bug sprays, there’s no overpowering chemical smell.
- Versatile Application: Safe for most surfaces—wood, carpets, and fabrics—though I always recommend a quick spot test.
6. 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.
7. Mothballs – A Cheap Roach Deterrent
Mothballs contain naphthalene, a substance that repels roaches. You can use them strategically around the house to drive roaches away.
Instructions:
Place mothballs in roach-infested areas like kitchen cabinets, behind appliances, and in cracks.
8. Lemon Juice – A Natural Roach Repellent
The citrus scent of lemon juice is a natural roach repellent. Roaches tend to avoid areas with lemon aroma.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup of lemon juice
- 2 cups of water
- A spray bottle
Instructions:
Mix the lemon juice and water in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray the solution around roach hotspots, such as under furniture, behind appliances, and in cracks.
9. Bay Leaves – Roach Deterrent
Crushed bay leaves can be used to ward off roaches due to their strong scent.
Instructions:
Grind a few bay leaves and sprinkle them in areas where roaches are entering or where you’ve seen them. Replace them every few days for maximum effectiveness.
10. Cucumber Peels
Cucumber peels are known to repel roaches due to their scent.
Instructions:
Place fresh cucumber peels in areas where you have seen roaches, such as kitchen cabinets or along baseboards.
11. Baking Soda
Baking soda can help trap roaches and prevent infestations. While it doesn’t kill them outright, it can attract roaches and force them to leave.
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons of baking soda
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- A disposable cup or container
Instructions:
Mix baking soda and powdered sugar in a bowl. Place the mixture in places roaches frequent. The sugar attracts them, and the baking soda helps control their population.
12. Fabric Softener – A Repellent Solution
Some people use fabric softener to repel roaches. The scent of dryer sheets can discourage them from entering your home.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups liquid fabric softener
- 2 cups water
Instructions:
Mix fabric softener and water in a spray bottle. Shake well and apply to areas such as under sinks, trash bins, and drains.
13. Dish Soap – A Roach Killer
Dish soap can kill roaches by suffocating them. The soap forms a film over the roach’s body, preventing them from breathing.
Ingredients:
- 2 drops of dish soap
- 2 cups of warm water
- A spray bottle
Instructions:
Mix dish soap and water in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray directly on any visible roaches. This will not eliminate eggs, but it will help manage visible pests.
These natural remedies are simple and effective methods for dealing with a cockroach infestation without relying on harsh chemicals.
Incorporating Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs)
Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) are used in conjunction with other roach control products, such as roach baits and sprays, to inhibit adult roaches from reproducing.
IGRs are safe for use around pets and children, making them an ideal choice for reducing roach populations over time.
Conclusion
Cockroach infestations can be a source of distress, but armed with the knowledge and methods outlined in this comprehensive guide, you can effectively combat the problem using homemade roach traps.
Whether you prefer non-toxic solutions, DIY approaches, or commercial products, you’ll find a roach control method tailored to your specific needs.
Say goodbye to roaches and regain control of your home with these practical and detailed strategies.
