How to get rid of cockroaches for good - DIY

Do it yourself: Fight and kill roaches

COVID-19: Can cockroaches, mosquitoes or other pests infect humans with the novel Coronavirus?

While pests, like mosquitoes or ticks can transmit certain viruses, like malaria, the Zika- or West Nile virus, cockroaches cannot spread COVID-19. At least some good news.

General info

Cockroaches, often simply called roaches, are insects of the Blattodea order. About 30 of its about 4,600 species are found in human habitats. Some if these are well known pests. These are known as hardened insects, thriving in a wide range of climates, tolerating tropic heat and arctic cold. Often they are depicted as dirty pests as being attracted by it. That can be experiments and other dirt emitting odour. As food source they prefer starch (wheat flour), as found in various types of bread. They're also attracted to water. That's why they are often found in or under sinks. Nests are most likely found nearby in dark and for humans inaccessible corners. Hating vibrations, creating these should drive them out. Don't be afraid of them, they won't attack you. Once they sense you they will run off to a hiding place.

The life cycle of cockroaches is up to one year. They can go without food for weeks, or live from very little food for a long time. Every female has 30 to 40 eggs in her ootheca per cycle. After hatching the babies or nymphs are almost translucent at first but get darker soon. Their development to adults takes between three to five months.

General guidelines

Controlling roaches (cockroaches) effectively requires a combination of sanitation, exclusion, and targeted treatments. I'll separate these processes into four topics.

• Sanitation:
  Roaches are attracted to food and moisture. Clean regularly: Wipe down counters, sweep floors, and don’t leave dirty dishes out. Seal food: Use airtight containers for all food, including pet food. Take out trash: Dispose of garbage daily and use sealed trash bins. Fix leaks: Roaches are drawn to moisture, so repair any plumbing leaks.
• Exclusion:
  Prevent roaches from entering your home. Seal cracks and crevices: Use caulk around baseboards, doors, and windows. Install door sweeps: Especially on exterior doors. Cover drains and vents: Use fine mesh screens where needed.

Treatments: Several are known to be effective.

• Baits (Highly effective):
  Use gel baits (e.g., Advion, Combat) in cracks, behind appliances, and under sinks. Don’t kill visible roaches immediately—they need to bring the poison back to the nest.
• Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs):
  Disruption of their reproduction cycle (Gentrol). Combine with baits for better long-term control.
• Dusts:
  Diatomaceous earth or boric acid in wall voids and under appliances. They’re long-lasting but avoid overuse.
• Baking soda:
  Baking soda in combination with sugar is known for killing roaches. Mix 50% baking soda and 50% sugar, then lace areas where roaches have been spotted. The mix with acid and fluids in the roach's stomach develop CO₂ in their bodies, killing them after around 24 hours.i Baking soda and sugar don't harm humans, pets or the environment.
• Persistence & Monitoring:
  Use sticky traps to monitor activity and locate problem areas. Repeat treatment every few weeks until activity stops.
• When to Call a Pro:
  If the infestation is large or persistent after 4–6 weeks of home treatment, consider hiring a pest control service.

Prelude

There were ever so often roaches in my apartment. Once in a while I saw one crawling on a wall or ceiling, sometimes a table. When I could reach them I killed them squashing with my hand or stepped on when on the ground. When I could not reach them I gave them a brief shot with a big killer like Raid ®. Of these some stayed on the spot, playing dead and later moved on in erratic, eventually dropping down. I then stepped on them. Those or falling down I ignored knowing they'll die soon anyway. But most of them were probably blown off walls and ceilings from the quick blast and dropped on the floor where I killed them. Many hide under sinks, behind or even in stoves, behind the fridge and other furniture, as well as in cluttering, like newspapers stapled somewhere. That's were people can also suspect to find their nests. Unfortunately these areas are hard to reach; suppose roaches "know" that...

But later there were more. Some pregnant cockroach must have entered my apartment. There were some tiny insects I first thought to be saw bugs or bed bugs. But when I saw mid sized bugs I knew I was about to have a cockroach infestation. Was time to do something before it gets out of control.

Active approaches

This is in contrast to killing and getting rid of bedbugs with Raid ®, because spraying alone is not effective, since bugs are hiding inside of materials, like mattresses. I had a good success rate spraying exposed areas areas where I suspected hiding bugs.

• Identify areas populated with roaches and possible locations with nests. That are usually kitchen sinks, also bathroom sinks or toilets.
• Get insecticides from a home improvement store (Home Depot and the like), as well as some all purpose cleaner, which is said to kill germs too. The alcohol content is what counts.
• Spray roaches on spot if seen. Just a short burst. Once hit they might play dead. Ignore them, their clocks just started ticking. To save on the more expensive Diatomaceous Earth spray visible bugs with the all purpose cleaner.
• Also spray surfaces known they crawl on from a very close distance. The spray will lay a film which works for a few days. Any bug touching within a few days after applying it will eventually die.

Passive approaches

Canadian product example

It seems bug dust (Diatomaceous Earth (DE) [food grade] mixed with insecticides) is killing them, but as well gets rid of bed bugs and similar pests. It is available in most of the home department stores. Ask for bug dust or similar. Those are usually found where other insecticides are.

DE dust (powder) consists of algae, non toxic (you can even inhale it, although you will cough, or get it on your skin). It doesn't leave stains. But not advised for people having respiratory conditions!

• Apply DE everywhere where roaches are expected to crawl. Dust areas where walls meet the floor. Dust the entrance of your rooms, around furniture and other free standing items. Apply it to cracks and other openings cockroaches might crawl into.
• Spray it behind the fridge and stove if possible. If they are also found in the bathroom, dust the area around the toilet and wall the sink it attached (if).
• Ever so often spray insecticide under any sink. Even spray into the air at night before going to bed. With lights off bugs might come out while some spray still lingers in the air to kill them.

I'm glad if this information helped with your cockroach problem. If you are grateful I wouldn't mind a donation.

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