No matter what species of cockroach has invaded your apartment, you've probably noticed that these are fast-paced, hard to find and get rid of. They are efficient parasites, have exceptional adaptability and reproduce very quickly. There are no simple solutions to a cockroach infestation, but with a combination of strategies you can be able to get rid of the problem. Eliminate them with insecticide powders, baits, traps, or with the help of a pest control company. You can also take precautions so they don't come back.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Using the Lures
Step 1. Purchase some bait
It is one of the safest and most effective ways to get rid of cockroaches. Baits work for a long time and are capable of killing these insects either directly (when eaten) or indirectly (cockroaches eat the poisoned droppings or corpses of specimens that have already ingested the bait).
You can buy the baits already prepared in small containers or in tubes of gel. In almost all hardware stores and hypermarkets you will find a wide range of gels and traps
Step 2. Create one yourself
You can make effective baits using different products you have around the house. Try one of the following recipes:
- Mix small amounts of 00 flour, cocoa, oatmeal, boric acid and Paris chalk in equal parts;
- Mix 10 ml of citrus pulp, about 4 ml of brown sugar, 2.5 ml of corn flour and 1.25 ml of boric acid;
- Baits that contain boric acid should be kept out of the reach of children and pets.
Step 3. Place the bait in the areas affected by the infestation
These traps are most effective if they are placed in places that cockroaches visit most often, such as closets, spaces behind and under appliances, areas where there is food and humidity (such as the bathroom and kitchen).
- Avoid leaving traps open. They are more effective (and less dangerous for children and pets) when placed under or behind appliances, in dark corners and inside cabinets.
- If you've made a homemade bait, place it in a small container, such as a shallow bowl or plastic lid, then place it like you would for a store-bought trap.
Step 4. Use the gel in tight spaces
The gel bait is ideal for crevices and crevices that cockroaches like to hide in, where you cannot insert traps.
Step 5. Change and replace traps often
Since cockroaches are food sources, they will quickly empty in areas where there are many. Empty traps would become ideal hiding places for cockroaches.
- How quickly the traps empty depends on the severity of the infestation. For commercially available traps, the charging time is indicated in the instructions and usually lasts 3-6 months. However, if you notice that the cockroaches return before the suggested period, replace them more often.
- If you have made a homemade bait, check it every 15 days and replace it when finished or when you see the cockroaches reappear.
Step 6. Make sure cockroaches have no other food sources available
For baits to be effective, they must become their primary source of nutrition. Clean well and remove all food from the areas where you have placed the traps.
Method 2 of 4: Use Insect Killer Powder
Step 1. Purchase at least one insecticide powder
There are three types available: silicon, diatomaceous earth and boric acid. The first two materials act by damaging and drying the exoskeleton of cockroaches, while boric acid is highly toxic to these insects if ingested.
Borax (sodium borate) is often used as a homemade insecticide against cockroaches. This substance contains the same element (boron) as boric acid, but may be less effective as a pesticide
Step 2. Put the insecticide powder in the places where the cockroaches hide
You have to use this remedy sporadically. Cockroaches notice the piles of dust and avoid them. Apply a barely visible insecticide coating in crevices, gaps around cabinets, and under appliances. Repeat the treatment after 3-4 months, or according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Step 3. Keep insecticide dust away from children and pets
Even though these are relatively safe substances, they can still be harmful. Pay particular attention to products that contain boric acid. Avoid using them on surfaces where you prepare or consume food.
Method 3 of 4: Other Methods
Step 1. Vacuum the cockroaches when you see them
This is a quick and effective way to apply a "topical treatment" to your bug problem. If you see a live specimen, excrement or eggs, vacuum them up and throw the bag or contents of the vacuum cleaner in a bin outside your building.
Step 2. Place sticky traps and glass jars
Traps of this type can help you reduce the number of cockroaches in your apartment and can also be useful in identifying the areas where these insects are most often found.
- You can purchase sticky traps at many hardware and home improvement stores.
- You can build a trap yourself by coating the inside of a glass jar with petroleum jelly and using a piece of wet bread or a few slices of raw potato as bait. You can kill cockroaches trapped in the jar by soaking them in soapy water.
- Throw the trapped cockroaches in a bin outside your building.
Step 3. Hire a professional to look after your apartment
Pest control experts can use chemicals off-limits to individuals, such as Avermectin. Ask your landlord if he can recommend a local pest control company to turn to.
Method 4 of 4: Keep the Roaches Out of the Apartment
Step 1. Talk to the landlord or building manager
Even if you manage to get rid of the cockroaches from your apartment, they will come back if the entire building isn't treated. These insects can nest in the walls, in the cavities between one house and another, or move from house to house.
Step 2. Eliminate all food sources for cockroaches
These insects love the carbohydrates and sugars found in foods, soaps, and even plants.
- Keep food (for people and pets) in glass or plastic containers with airtight lids. Protect any foods you normally store in bags, boxes, or other materials that cockroaches can gnaw on.
- Replace the bars of soap with liquid soap and sprinkle some petroleum jelly on the jars to keep the cockroaches away from your home.
- Keep trash, compost, and items for recycling in airtight containers, as well as throwing them out often.
Step 3. Clean up problem areas
Crumbs, liquid drops and stains attract cockroaches. Thoroughly clean all kitchen surfaces after preparing food. Sweep up the crumbs and dry the stains right away. Scrub the inside of cabinets and under appliances.
Sweep up all cockroach droppings with particular care, as they can attract other specimens
Step 4. Put everything in order
Cockroaches like to hide in boxes, under piles of newspapers or clothes. Avoid leaving paper bags, magazines or newspapers on the floor or in closets.
Step 5. Eliminate all sources of moisture
Keep the bathroom and kitchen as dry as possible. If you have leaky pipes or worn gaskets, bring the problem to the attention of your landlord. Immediately wipe off the water when you drop it, as well as the sinks and bathtub after you use them. You should also empty your pet's bowl before going to sleep.
Step 6. Look for cracks and holes
Cockroaches pass through doors, windows and walls, in cracks as small as 0.5 cm. Check mosquito nets, doors and walls for holes or other signs of damage. Install protective seals on door slots. You can repair cracks and holes in the walls with putty. If you wish, consult your landlord before doing any repairs yourself.
