How can you get rid of cockroaches using only home remedies? What do cockroaches look like and what attracts them to your home? Here we answer these questions and also give you tips on precaution!
The problem with cockroaches is not uncommon. They thrive wherever they can, spreading disease and causing unrest in even the thickest of people. For this reason, we bet you will be very happy to know how to get rid of cockroaches. The good news is that, according to pest experts, you can get rid of them with some natural remedies – many of which can already be found in your pantry. Find out what these are here!
Recognize cockroaches – what do they look like and what types are there?
Recognizing cockroaches is not that easy because they are active at night and hide during the day. However, if you have a cockroach infestation, you will likely see them running around. Otherwise, you will gradually recognize their presence by the traces they leave behind. However, the sooner you recognize the cockroaches, the sooner you can do something about them. The following descriptions will help you with this.
Cockroaches have six legs, two antennae, and a flat, oval body that feels slimy. Male cockroaches are generally smaller than female cockroaches. Some have wings, but most cockroaches that can fly are not particularly skilled at it. The cockroach eggs are located in ovaries called oothecae. These are usually oval and dark brown in color.
There are several species of cockroaches in Germany, with the German cockroach being the most common species, followed by the common cockroach and the American cockroach. Here are their distinctive features:
What does the German cockroach look like?
- It has a yellow to light brown body
- Their length is 10 to 15 mm (excluding the two antennas on the head)
- She has wings but cannot fly
What does the common cockroach look like?
- It has a dark brown to black body
- Their length is 18 to 21 mm (excluding the two antennas on the head)
- She has wings but cannot fly
What does the American cockroach look like?
- She has a reddish-brown body
- Their length is 28 to 44 mm (excluding the two feelers on the head)
- She has wings but cannot fly
- Their appearance resembles that of a grasshopper
What attracts cockroaches to the home?
Regardless of the type of cockroaches in the home, one thing is certain – you don’t want them there. They can cause allergies, spread disease and create an unsanitary living environment. Fortunately, the first step to controlling cockroaches is identifying what attracts them to your habitat. Here are some of the most common causes:
Food sources and dirty dishes
Cockroaches are omnivores. They particularly like starch, sweets, fatty foods and meat. Cockroaches in the kitchen are usually the result of dirty dishes in the sink with leftover food in them. We therefore advise you never to leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight. They are also attracted to crumbs on the kitchen counter or pet food on the floor.
It's important to know that they also eat all sorts of things that we don't think of as food, including soap and toothpaste residue. They also love trash. So take him out regularly and keep all pet waste containers tightly closed.
Pests in the Kitchen – What are the most common pests that invade your home and how to get rid of them?You can find out here!
They are looking for shelter
If you're wondering, "Why do I have cockroaches in my clean house?", it's because they're simply looking for shelter, especially when the temperatures outside drop. During the day they hide in dark, quiet rooms where they are safe. You can find them behind picture frames, in carved wood, in damp places (under the sink or behind the toilet bowl), or in the back of electronics.
Snails also need water to survive
Of course, cockroaches also need water to survive and will seek it out even in the most hygienic homes. Running pipes and faucets are common attractions, as are open showers and pet water bowls.
For the same reason, cockroaches are not uncommon in the garden. They are attracted there by standing water in bird baths and flower pots as well as by food sources such as bird seed or fruit plants.
Where do the cockroaches come from?
Shelter, food and water attract cockroaches to your home, but how do they get in? Here are some of their favorite access points:
- Cracks and gaps in doors and windowsare the main way for cockroaches to get into your home. That's why we recommend making sure your doors and windows are well sealed.
- Holes in pipes and vents: If you live in an older home whose vents have holes or are not well sealed, this is an invitation for cockroaches to come into the home. Check your vents when replacing or servicing them, and check pipes and pipes for holes or other potential entry points for pests.
- Outdoor plants: Pest control experts recommend removing overhanging foliage to prevent cockroaches from entering your home.
- If you have used furnitureor bring other items into your home, check them first for cockroaches.
Get rid of cockroaches with home remedies - here's how to do it with proven methods
How can you get rid of cockroaches in a completely natural way? Here are a few organic methods you should try. We guarantee you great results!
Baking soda and sugar are a deadly combination
The mixture of baking soda and sugar is an effective killer of cockroaches and controls their reproduction. Here's how it works: While sugar acts as bait for the pests, baking soda produces the gases that kill them.
- Simply mix the two components in equal parts and sprinkle them around the house and in the corners.
Repel cockroaches with sugar and borax
Borax is used in the household for soap or water softener. But it is also effective against cockroach infestations because it slowly dries out their exoskeleton, impairs their digestive system and ultimately kills them.
- Mix borax and sugar in a 3:1 ratio before spreading the homemade remedy on the areas where you have noticed the insects.
Tip: What is the best way to get rid of cockroaches?The most effective solution to destroy cockroaches is boric acid. To prepare the mixture, combine the boric acid with equal parts flour and sugar and form “dough balls” about 3 cm in diameter. Place the dough balls where you saw the pests. They will feed on them and be killed.
- However, make sure that pets and children do not have access to the dough balls!
What else helps against cockroaches – neem oil and powder
Neem oil or powder contains effective ingredients that can repel cockroaches.
- If you are using it in oil form, mix a small amount of it with water in a spray bottle and spray the solution on the areas where you have noticed the pests.
- If you use neem powder, it is enough to sprinkle it over the cockroach-infested areas at night and repeat the process in the morning.
Neem oil can also help against ticks in humans. Which other home remedies are suitable for protecting against ticks?find out here!
Bay leaves keep pests away
Do you have cockroaches in a closet? Then this trick will help you get rid of them! Just look for bay leaves among your spices. If there's one thing cockroaches can't stand - aside from light - it's the smell of laurel.
- So, to get rid of cockroaches, simply crush a few bay leaves and sprinkle them in the infested cupboards.
- Alternatively, you can boil a few leaves and spray the affected corners with the water.
This tactic won't kill the roaches, but it will keep them away.
- Tipp:Catnip works the same way as bay leaf. Just spread them wherever you found the pests.
What to do if there are moths in the cupboard or kitchen and how can you get rid of the pests?combat naturally?Find out here!
Mix fabric softener with water
If you're looking for an alternative to commercial products, mix fabric softener with water and store it in a spray bottle. Whenever you detect a cockroach, spray this mixture directly on it and you will see it die. But that may not be the best solution for a massive infestation.
Cockroach Trap – Coffee grounds are the perfect bait
To use coffee grounds to drive away cockroaches, first distribute them into small paper cups. Then place these in jars filled with water and position them near the places where you saw the pests. The aroma of the coffee grounds will lure them into a trap from which they cannot escape. The next day, empty the contents of the container and repeat the process if necessary.
Repel cockroaches with vinegar and pepper
The combination of vinegar and black pepper is something that cockroaches cannot overcome. So once you've discovered their hiding place, just do the following:
- Spread vinegar all around (as much as your floor allows) and sprinkle pepper on top.
Also read:“COCKROACHES IN THE APARTMENT: WHICH SMELLS & HOME REMEDIES KEEP THE INSECTS AWAY NATURALLY?”
