How to get rid of cockroaches without killing them
Nothing is more upsetting than turning on the kitchen lights to discover (or hear) roaches scurrying across your cupboards and counters. There’s got to be how to get rid of cockroaches without killing them! Additionally, these bugs can infest your food and spread harmful bacteria. Worst of all, they seem to survive even the most well-intended extermination efforts.
Roaches are revolting. It is no news how difficult it becomes to get rid of roaches. We’ve included a few methods to get rid of cockroaches without killing them. Follow these easy steps to banish those pesky insects permanently.
What Attracts Cockroaches to a Clean Home?
Even clean homes can sometimes attract cockroaches. Cockroaches are attracted to food, water, and shelter, so even a small amount of food residue or moisture can be enough to draw them in. Here are some reasons why cockroaches may be attracted to a clean home:
Open food containers:
Even sealed containers may not be enough to keep cockroaches away, as they can detect food odors through the packaging. Make sure to store food in airtight containers and clean up any crumbs or spills immediately.
Dirty dishes:
Cockroaches may be attracted to dirty dishes left in the sink, so it’s important to wash dishes promptly and not leave them in the sink overnight.
Water sources:
Cockroaches need water to survive, so any standing water or leaks in pipes or appliances can provide a source of moisture that attracts them.
Clutter:
Even a clean home with clutter can provide hiding places for cockroaches. Regularly declutter and organize your home to reduce potential hiding spots for cockroaches.
Entry points:
Cockroaches can enter your home through small cracks and crevices, so it’s important to seal any potential entry points.
How to Check for Cockroaches in your Home?
Before trying any home remedies or calling a professional exterminator, it’s important to determine whether you have a cockroach infestation in your home. Here are some signs to look for:
- Cockroach droppings: Cockroach droppings can look like small, black specks and may be found in areas where cockroaches are active, such as in kitchens, bathrooms, or near garbage cans.
- Shed skins: Cockroaches shed their skin as they grow, and they may also leave behind egg casings. These can be found in dark, hidden areas such as under sinks or behind appliances.
- Unpleasant odor: Cockroaches can emit a musty, oily odor that may become more noticeable as the infestation grows.
- Cockroach sightings: Cockroaches are nocturnal and may be seen scurrying across floors or walls at night.
- Damage to food packaging: Cockroaches may chew through food packaging to get to the contents inside.
Where Do Cockroaches Live in Homes?
Cockroaches are common household pests that can be found living in various areas of a home, particularly in warm and humid environments. Here are some of the places where cockroaches may be found in homes:
Kitchens and bathrooms:
Cockroaches are often found in areas where they can find food, water, and warmth. Kitchens and bathrooms provide ideal conditions for cockroaches to thrive, as they often contain sources of food (such as crumbs, grease, and garbage) and moisture.
Walls and ceilings:
Cockroaches can climb walls and ceilings, and they may hide in cracks, crevices, and voids. They may also hide behind wall hangings, picture frames, and other objects on walls.
Appliances:
Cockroaches may hide in appliances, such as refrigerators, dishwashers, and ovens, where they can find warmth and food debris.
Furniture and clutter:
Cockroaches may also hide in furniture, such as couches and chairs, as well as in cluttered areas, such as closets, storage boxes, and piles of papers.
To spot an infestation early, these are where to check for cockroaches:
- Around food prep areas
- Inside cabinets under sinks
- within or below trash cans
- In dim, cold environments
- In and around the bed
- Near the shower, and toilet
How Are Cockroaches Harmful to Humans?
Even though cockroaches do not bite, getting a cockroach scratch could potentially become infected. This is because they live near high bacteria level areas. This makes cockroaches a definite health concern for humans.
Roaches are known to contain germs that can lead to a number of illnesses, including gastroenteritis (which includes diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting), dysentery, cholera, leprosy, typhoid fever, plague, poliomyelitis, and salmonellosis, according to Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Cockroaches treatment at home
Here are some ways to treat cockroaches infestation at home:
- Baking soda and sugar: Mix equal parts of baking soda and sugar and place it in areas where cockroaches are commonly found. The sugar attracts the cockroaches, while the baking soda kills them.
- Borax and sugar: Mix equal parts of borax and sugar and sprinkle it in areas where cockroaches are present. The sugar attracts the cockroaches, while the borax disrupts their digestive system and causes them to die.
- Vinegar: Spray a solution of equal parts water and vinegar in areas where cockroaches are present. The strong smell of vinegar repels the cockroaches.
- Bay leaves: Place bay leaves in areas where cockroaches are present. The strong smell of bay leaves repels the cockroaches.
- Lemon juice: Mix equal parts of lemon juice and water and spray it in areas where cockroaches are present. The strong smell of lemon juice repels the cockroaches.
How to get rid of cockroaches without killing them
You can do a number of actions to get rid of cockroaches without killing them, such as clearing the area or laying out bait. These will assist in getting rid of any roaches that are already there as well as preventing the arrival of new roaches.
1. Clean Everything Thoroughly
When you find cockroaches in your house, the first thing you should do is thoroughly clean the entire place, especially the kitchen, and bathroom. Your home will be less inviting to cockroaches if you remove grease, baked-on food, crumbs, and other food and water sources.
Clean the area surroundings and inside of your cabinets and appliances, such as your stove, oven, and freezer (and the walls around them). Only use water to properly wash the exterior of your appliances when cleaning them. The dusty areas close to the motors can be cleaned with a vacuum.
Use bleach or other cleaning supplies to thoroughly scrub your bathroom, and try to keep it as dry as you can. Fix any plumbing issues to prevent water from pooling. To make sure that there is no way for cockroaches to enter, seal the area surrounding light fittings and pipes (particularly around your washer, washing machine, and beneath your sinks).
2. Always keep your house clean
Cockroaches are quite cunning, so even a thorough deep cleaning won’t completely stop them. To keep these vermin away, you will need to keep your home exceptionally clean.
Avoid leaving dirty dishes in the sink, sweep (and mop) the floors frequently, and regularly clean the kitchen equipment and counters. Take out the garbage every day, and store your food in containers that are firmly packed.
3. Removing their food sources
Cockroaches have an insatiable appetite and enjoy foods high in sugar and fat in particular. You need to quit putting food scraps on your counters or dirty dishes in the sink overnight if you want to get rid of roaches. Pet food should also be kept out of reach of wandering pets and young children if you have them in order to prevent unintentional cockroach infestations in your home.
4. Removing their shelter
Considering they can’t adjust their body temperatures inside like humans can, cockroaches require a warm, dry place to live during the winter when it gets cold outside (or if there isn’t any more sunshine).
Even though it can be challenging to maintain your home free of clutter and trash, try to vacuum frequently whenever you can discourage pests from becoming attracted to your home.
Maintaining a clean, clutter-free house is the easiest and most effective approach to keeping pests out. Keep items stowed away in air-tight containers or zipped bags whenever feasible because food and water attract pests. This will make it more difficult for them to come anywhere inside.
5. Look after the area outside your home
If they can’t find a home inside, cockroaches don’t have a particular preference for where they live and will gladly live outside. Move your outside trash and recycling containers away from your home to prevent them from entering your yard.
Get rid of any firewood piles in your backyard, thinning up the vegetation around your house, and maintain tight seals around your pipes, windows, and doorways.
Additionally, be careful to fill your water meter box with a few inches of gravel to limit dampness and block off the cockroaches’ access to water.
6. Eliminate hiding spaces and entry points
Without a place to hide, roaches cannot thrive in your house. Get rid of all the junk, including extra documents and cardboard boxes. Caulk can be used to fill up cracks, crevices, spaces between tiles, and other openings to prevent any potential entry.
Make sure there are no gaps in the exterior of the window and door frames. If there is light coming through your door, you must close the opening.
7. Create a vaseline jar trap
Make a Vaseline jar trap if you wish to catch cockroaches and release them humanely. You’ll need a glass jar to make a trap. Newspapers should be taped to the jar’s exterior. Vaseline should be applied to the jar’s inner lip.
Food should be placed inside the jar and placed far from your kitchen counters. Cockroaches will eventually become stuck within the jar due to the slimy, adhesive Vaseline. The cockroaches can then be released wherever you like.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does toothpaste kill roaches?
Toothpaste can kill roaches without a pesticide. Boric acid is a common ingredient in many toothpaste brands and is known to be effective in killing cockroaches.
Which country has the most cockroaches
Although cockroaches can thrive in any environment, some countries in tropical or subtropical regions with warm and humid climates, such as India, Brazil, and parts of Southeast Asia, may have a higher incidence of cockroach infestations due to favorable breeding conditions.
What do roaches eat?
Cockroaches enjoy eating a variety of human foods such as meat, bread, decaying garbage, sewage, and even toothpaste(when it is wet). This is why they find solace in our kitchens to get easy access to food spills, open food products, crumbs, and scraps in pet food bowls.
How often should pest control be done in the house?
In general, it’s recommended to have pest control treatments done at least once a year to prevent pest infestations. However, if you live in an area where pests are more common or have had a history of pest problems in your house, you may need to have more frequent treatments.
What Next
Many people discover that they are unable to reason through and methodically get rid of cockroaches without killing them. Whether the roaches are small or massive, certified pest control operators are equipped with the necessary knowledge, and skills to address your problem effectively.
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