The idea of a cockroach infestation can make just about any homeowner cringe. Roaches are gross and unhygienic, and once you spot one in your home, it may feel like a complete takeover. However, it doesn’t have to be.
If you’re looking for the best pest control for roaches, we’ve got you covered. We’ll go over some DIY solutions and when to know when it’s time to call a professional. We’ll even discuss tips for preventing roaches from finding their way back into your home. Keep reading to learn more about getting rid of roaches for good in your Oregon home!
Thoroughly Clean Your Home
It’s no secret that roaches are attracted to filth and dirt. For roaches, filth and dirt mean new food sources, so the best pest control for roaches is keeping your home clean. Be sure to do the following:
- Clean crumbs and spills immediately
- Wash and put away dishes after meals
- Take out the garbage at the end of every day
- Seal food in containers, preferably air-tight containers
- Remove grease from the stovetop
- Sweep and mop on a regular basis
Store-Bought Traps
One of the best pest control products for roaches is store-bought traps. Store-bought traps are effective and can be found in most supermarkets and home improvement stores.
These traps use a scent or other forms of bait to lure roaches. Once the roach investigates, it gets caught in a sticky substance and is trapped inside. Be sure to check your traps periodically. It can take up to two weeks to see results.
Boric Acid
Boric acid is one of the best pest DIY methods for roaches. If you’ve ever typed, “How to exterminate roaches DIY,” chances are you came across a boric acid remedy. Here’s how you do it.
Mix equal amounts of boric acid, sugar, and flour until it resembles dough. Form balls with your dough and place them around areas of your home where you know cockroaches will feed on it. This method is effective because roaches are attracted to the scent of sugar and flour, while the boric acid kills them.
Leave these dough balls in the back of your cabinets and drawers, under your refrigerator, your stove, and just about anywhere you’ve seen roaches in the past.
Using boric acid is incredibly effective; however, boric acid is extremely dangerous and toxic. If you have small children or a furry friend in your household, please do not try this method and call a professional instead.
Liquid Concentrates
If you’ve looked up “pest control near me for roaches” but want to see if there’s anything you can do first, try using liquid concentrates. Like traps, liquid concentrates can be found in most grocery or home improvement stores. These concentrates are formulated to deter roaches.
Dilute some of the liquid with water in a spray bottle and spray it onto any cracks and crevices roaches like to hide. Some concentrates can be used to mop your floor and wipe your counters, so when you wake up, no more roaches. If you’re looking for the best pest control for roaches that can be done overnight, liquid concentrates are your best bet!
Pro Tip: Call a Professional
Roaches can be resilient and persistent. Even after following as many DIY tips as you can find, you may still have a roach infestation. DIY solutions are never guaranteed to work, especially when it comes to pests like cockroaches. Cockroaches breed and multiply at a rapid rate.
If you want to get rid of roaches, meaning all of them, you need to look for the best pest control company for roaches in your area. Aprofessional pest control exterminator will effectively treat your home, and they can do it fast.
Prevention Tips
Prevention is critical when it comes to keeping pests like roaches at bay. While there are numerous methods to ward off cockroaches, we’ll give you some tips to make your home as unwelcoming and inhospitable as possible to roaches.
Clear Out the Clutter
A cluttered home for roaches is the equivalent of a five-star resort. Roaches love finding places to hide, so be sure to make it almost impossible for them to find a hiding place. When you give these pests no place to hide for their midday scurrying, they will have to work even harder to hide their presence.
Ditch All Excess Cardboard and Newspaper
Speaking of clutter, be sure to nix all excess cardboard and newspaper. Cockroaches love cardboard boxes and crumpled-up newspapers, so keeping these items around your home is basically inviting roaches to inhabit your space.
Roaches love to use cardboard and newspaper as a breeding ground. They can digest the fibers of the organic material in paper and cardboard. When the material is wet, roaches can use it to stay hydrated.
Don’t Feed the Roaches
By this point in the article, you may know by now to be sure to regularly sweep, pick up crumbs, and clean up any messes throughout your day to prevent a roach infestation. However, many people forget that their cat or dog food attracts roaches as well.
If you leave uneaten pet food lying around, a roach or two is bound to make an appearance. Dog and cat food dispensers are a great way to keep bugs at bay. The key takeaway here is to make sure roaches don’t have any easy sources of food.
Getting Rid of Roaches for Good in Your Oregon Home
Roaches are gross. Plain and simple. If you have seen a cockroach or two in your home, we hope you keep our best pest control for roaches tips in mind. If you have a full-blown infestation and are located in the Oregon area, please do not hesitate to contact us. Call us for expert advice on cockroach removal and schedule a free inspection today!