You Can Use These Household Items To Kill Cockroaches

Though we always try to keep our homes clean, the unfortunate truth is that pest infestations are still possible and common. Cockroaches are pesky pests that we can't seem to get rid of, not just because they are attracted to food and moisture, but also because they are quite difficult to kill.

But before you buy an expensive cockroach killer in the supermarket, you might want to take a look at your pantry first. Chances are, some of the items you need are sitting inside your cupboards. Here are some you need to stock up on:

Baking soda and sugar

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We all know baking soda is commonly used for cleaning jobs, but did you know it can also help kill cockroaches? All you need to do is mix ¼ cup of baking soda with ¼ cup of sugar thoroughly, then sprinkle the mixture in areas in your home where roaches nest or are seen. The baking soda will combine with the stomach acid of the cockroaches and eventually kill them, while the sugar is mainly to attract the pests. In place of sugar, you can also go for other items that cockroaches like to consume, like peanut butter or honey.

Coffee grounds

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Your favorite morning drink can also help kill those pesky pests. How? Apply a layer of petroleum jelly to the insides of a jar, put coffee grounds in it, then add some water to it. Put your DIY trap to work by placing it in areas that cockroaches frequent. Coffee will attract them to the jar, then the petroleum jelly will make sure that they won't be able to climb out. Don’t forget to check your jars daily to throw out the dead cockroaches, and to replace the coffee grounds until the pests are all gone.

Fabric softener

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Your trusty fabric softener has the capacity to kill roaches as well. Mix three parts of the fabric softener with two parts of water, then put the solution in a spray bottle. Whenever you see roaches running around your home, spray them with the solution. What the spray does is block the cockroaches’ skin pores and suffocate them, since they breathe through their skin.

Boric acid

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One popular way to get rid of cockroaches once and for all is by using boric acid. Simply sprinkle the boric acid throughout the parts of your home where the roaches are. The acid will actually attach to the roaches’ bodies and antennae, causing their exoskeletons to be damaged and dehydration from the inside. However, if you decide to use this method at home, here’s a fair word of warning: Boric acid is not safe for consumption, so make sure to keep it inaccessible to your kids or pets. Also, don’t use too much of it, because then it will be ineffective.

Bay leaves

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Did you know that the bay leaves you use to flavor your adobo is also an effective, natural cockroach repellent? Just crush the leaves until you have a powder, then sprinkle it in parts of your home that cockroaches frequent. Cockroaches hate the smell of bay leaves, so this hack will be a way to keep them away. You may also try placing whole bay leaves in their nests, frequently visited areas, and possible entry points.

Source: Pestwiki