How to Get Rid of Cockroaches in Your Home

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The cockroach is one of the most common household pests and is notoriously hard to eradicate. Here are some tips for winning your war against the roach.

Australia plays host to various species of cockroaches; some prefer living in the garden mulch, and some prefer an indoor life. But no matter the species, it’s never a pleasant experience to realise that you have a cockroach infestation. We’ve all been startled by the sudden appearance of armoured creepy crawlies from under a bottle in the pantry or behind the fridge. But, if you notice an influx of cockroaches in your house and garden, act fast. Here are some tips on how to get rid of cockroaches in your home.

Seal cracks and holes

They have to get in somehow, so the best way to curb a cockroach infestation is to seal their entryways. Check for any obvious cracks, holes or gaps in your walls, paying particular attention to your skirting boards and door jambs. Use caulk to fill these cracks – and if you discover any bigger gaps, opt for foam, mesh plate or steel wool.

Also, carefully check your screen doors and the flyscreens on your windows. Any gap larger than 3mm is enough for a cockroach to get through, so if your screens are flimsy or old, you might be better off replacing your flyscreens or security doors altogether to ensure those scuttling pests can’t find a way in. Quality security screens will be able to keep out cockroaches while also improving your home security.

Shift garden beds away from your house

Garden variety cockroaches are commonly found in moist garden beds and mulch, so if you notice them in garden beds close to your house, they’re also likely getting inside your house. If you have damp, mulch-filled garden beds lining your house, move them further away. If you’re not up to the task, bring in a gardener or landscaper to do the job, as this is the only way to prevent cockroaches from using your garden as a direct access point to your home.

Remove any cardboard boxes

Did you know that cockroaches eat cardboard? As well as a reliable food source, cardboard boxes are typical breeding spots for cockroaches because their scent is easily infused into porous surfaces such as wood, paper, and cardboard.

Keep up with your recycling by eliminating any cardboard food packaging straight away. If you find that you have a surplus of cardboard around Christmas, birthdays or when you buy new furniture, don’t let it sit by the house while you wait for the recycling bin to empty. Either burn them if you can or hire a skip bin to take them away as soon as possible.

Don’t forget – the same applies to any good storage or moving boxes you might be saving for your next move. Rather than keep them as a lovely home for your cockroach borders, it’s best to recycle them and invest in new ones if and when you need them.

Thoroughly and regularly clean your kitchen

Cockroaches are always in search of reliable food sources. The easiest way to get rid of cockroaches is to ensure your kitchen is not a sustainable food source for them. As well keeping your surfaces consistently free of spills and crumbs, you should also ensure that:

  • Leftover food is always kept in airtight containers;
  • Your stovetop is free of grease and spills;
  • There are no crumbs under your microwave or fridge; and
  • Your dishwasher is free of food residue.

 

If you have pets, don’t leave their food out for hours at a time. This may mean that your pet has to make some adjustments to their routine but ensuring your pet’s bowl is always clean and dry will help to keep the cockroaches at bay.

Limit water sources

If their water source is cut off, cockroaches can only survive for two weeks. When looking for ways to get rid of cockroaches, one of the first things you should do is cut them off from their water supply by:

  • Emptying the kettle after you use it;
  • Fixing any dripping taps;
  • Looking for other sources of water leaking, such as cracked pipes;
  • Limiting how many bowls of water you leave out for pets; and
  • Not leaving dishes soaking in the sink overnight.
Natural remedy

There is a time and place for an exterminator, and we’ll get to that soon. But if your infestation is manageable and you want to try more natural ways to get rid of cockroaches in your home, try mixing one part baking soda to one part sugar or honey. Put the mixture in a small, shallow bowl in a spot where you regularly find cockroaches and leave it overnight. The sugar or honey will attract the cockroaches to drink, while the baking soda will kill them. As this is an entirely natural solution, it is completely safe to use around children and pets.

Call an exterminator

If you’ve tried everything else but are still plagued with pests, it’s time to call an exterminator. Jim’s Pest Control guarantees complete eradication of your cockroach infestation and offers advice on eliminating any future problems. Our pest control experts will:

  • Inspect your property to provide a comprehensive report of our findings.
  • Lay down a specially formulated bait that is licensed for cockroach control. The formula is non-toxic to humans and pets, though we will still lay it out of reach for your peace of mind.
  • Apply cockroach-repelling dust to your roof void, subfloor, and in your wall cavities to help avoid ongoing issues.
  • In the event of particularly bad infestations, we may apply a special surface spray to the perimeter of your home or building.

Are you experiencing a pest problem? Our pest removal specialists are fully trained, licensed, and insured, so you can be sure of a professional, complete service every time. All Jim’s best technicians in Australia offer the famous Jim’s Group 100% satisfaction pest control guarantee. This means that if you are not 100% happy with our work, we will return to fix any issues that you are experiencing. Call Jim’s Pest Control today on 13 15 46.

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