DIY home remedies to get rid of cockroaches

Every home or business owner has at one time or another had a cockroach infestation. These persistent pests make themselves at home in any space where food may be available. They multiply fast and may spread diseases.

To prevent an infestation of cockroaches, we first have to look at what attracts them. Dirty dishes with leftover food is a major attraction. Wash your dishes immediately after a meal and wipe crumbs from the countertops and floors. Remove your garbage bags from the home as soon as possible, especially if they contain food. Leftover pet food on the floor is another attraction. Remove if your dog has finished eating. Excess moisture from dripping taps and leaking pipes will also lure these pests. Mop and dry damp areas in your home.

Here are some do-it-yourself tips to get rid of those creepy critters.

Diatomaceous earth
One of the most popular and effective cockroach killers is diatomaceous earth available at various outlets. It is non-toxic to humans and kills roaches when they come into contact with it. Sprinkle the diatomaceous earth around areas where cockroaches frequently travel.
Baking soda and onion
Chop up some onion and mix with baking soda for a quick and easy remedy.
Boric acid and peanut butter or sugar
Mix Boric acid and peanut butter or sugar and push into crevices and holes where the roaches are for a fast kill.
Cornstarch and plaster of paris
Mix equal parts. It quickly attracts cockroaches and kills them equally fast.
Duct tape sticky trap
Spread strips of duct tape in the places you think cockroaches frequent and lure them with a piece of food on the tape. It will kill them overnight and show you where they move.
If you don’t want to kill them but want natural remedies to keep them at bay, use their incredible sense of smell to find food to repel them from your space. Use scents they dislike such as thyme, citrus, basil, mint, lavender, cedarwood and citronella to keep them at bay. They also steer clear of coffee grounds and hate the smell of crushed bay leaves.
Catnip cockroach repellent
Cockroaches don’t like catnip. Boil 1 l of water and add 8 teaspoons of catnip. Boil for 10 minutes, cool down and spray it over areas where you have seen the roaches.
Essential oils
Use essential oils with the scents mentioned above. Apply the oils to cotton balls and wipe the areas they frequent. You can leave the drenched balls in corners and crevices. Or make a strong mix of the oils and water and spray surfaces.

When is it time to call a pest control company?

If all do-it-yourself methods have failed and it has become too challenging to rid your home or business of cockroaches, it is time to contact a reputable and experienced pest control company. A’Africa is an expert in multiple fields of pest control with an in-depth knowledge of pest control methods and the life cycles of pests.