How to get rid of cockroaches in your home

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My skin is crawling just thinking about them. By them, I mean cockroaches, the nocturnal insects that can really leave one wondering if they even saw anything because of how quickly and quietly they can disappear when exposed.

Signs of a cockroach infestation can be tough to detect when they have invaded a space. Their tendencies for hiding in plain sight make them difficult to spot, and they are super low maintenance insects, making it even tougher to evict them once they’ve settled in.

According to Orkin Canada, “cockroaches are highly adaptable and can live wherever enough food, moisture and heat exist to support them.”

That being said, where there is a will, there is a way. Check out the best ways to get rid of cockroaches below.

How to get rid of cockroaches in your home

The first course of action with cockroaches is to eliminate any current ones lurking in your home. This can be done using various pest control products or traps.

Use natural insect repellents

If you’re looking to avoid using toxic roach killers, some of the most popular options that are highly effective and natural include diatomaceous earth and boric acid. With both options:

1. Apply a small, thin layer of the powder (not too much or the insects may avoid the substances) and wipe away any residue. Focus on corners, crevices, under sinks, behind cabinets and any other hard-to-reach areas where the roaches are likely to breed.
2. You can also apply some of the powders to entrances of your space (or any area where the cockroaches can enter from).

Use chemical insect repellents

In addition to the natural options, there are also numerous not-so-natural options, which can be used in conjunction to double up or on their own to get the job done.

Sticky traps: Sticky traps are designed to catch cockroaches and other small insects without the use of chemicals or pesticide. Simply place one trap per room, or one trap per 100 square feet in food storage areas like the kitchen and pantry. Since they are chemical-free, these traps are a safe option for homes with children or pets.
Bait traps: Unlike sticky traps, bait traps lure cockroaches into them and use a slow-acting poison to kill them. The roaches carry the poison back to their nests to share with the colony, effectively killing the infestation at its source. However, these traps are less common in Canada as they are only available to licensed exterminators and farmers.
Insect spray:Insect sprays can be used on a range of common indoor pests, including ants, cockroaches, earwigs, fleas, spiders, centipedes, bed bugs, silverfish and crickets. They typically kill bugs on contact, so this method is only helpful for infestations where you can see the roaches.

Clean, clean, clean

Just like with any other pest removal efforts, the key is to clean infested spaces as thoroughly as possible to rid of all traces of the pest and ensure the roach infestation doesn’t make a comeback. This includes cockroach casts and feces, which will require some substantial cleaning. While cleaning, make note of any gaps and or cracks in the walls and seal them using caulk or drywall filler to make sure the roaches don’t find a way back in. 

Maintenance and prevention

Now that all of the roaches should be gone, this is not the time to get too comfortable. To ensure cockroaches or any of their creepy crawly friends don’t return, make sure to maintain the space.

• Keep things clean
• Repair any cracks, torn screens, gaps, holes or any areas that insects can come in through
• Store food and water sources out of reach 
• Pay attention to any extra moisture and or standing water

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