Watching a cockroach cross the kitchen at night is enough to make your skin crawl, and in summer the problem takes off with the heat and the humidity. If you are wondering how to get rid of cockroaches in the house for good, the key is combining a deep clean, physical barriers and a well-applied home remedy for cockroaches. In this practical guide we explain why they appear, how to cut off their access to food and water, and which tricks really work to keep the infestation from coming back.
Why cockroaches appear in the house
Understanding why cockroaches appear in the house is the first step towards getting rid of them. These insects are after three things: food, water and a warm hiding place. That is why summer is their favourite season and the kitchen and bathroom their preferred rooms. They are drawn by crumbs under the furniture, built-up grease, bins without lids, unwashed dishes and even the moisture from a dripping tap.
They usually get in through drains, ventilation grilles, cracks in walls, gaps around pipework or smuggled in inside boxes and shopping bags. They are nocturnal, so if you see one during the day it is a sign there may be more hiding. Acting early stops a handful of them turning into an infestation.
Beyond the disgust factor, they are a hygiene problem: they can contaminate food and surfaces with bacteria and aggravate allergies, especially in children and sensitive people. So living alongside them or waiting for the problem to grow is not an option.
How to get rid of cockroaches in the house step by step
To get rid of cockroaches in the house with real results, follow an ordered plan instead of spraying insecticide at random:
- Deep clean. Mop the floors, clear away crumbs, degrease the extractor hood and clean behind and underneath the appliances, where the dirt that feeds them builds up.
- Cut off the water and the food. Store food in airtight containers, do not leave dishes in the sink overnight and dry the worktops before you go to bed.
- Seal the entry points. Fill cracks with silicone, fit covers on the drains and check the gaps around the pipework.
- Put out baits and traps. Gel baits and sticky traps in the corners they pass through are among the most effective methods for cutting the population down.
- Empty the bin daily. Use a bin with a lid and take it out often, all the more so in hot weather.
Home remedies for cockroaches
There are several home remedies for cockroaches that help as reinforcement, although in a large infestation they are not enough on their own:
- Boric acid with sugar. Mix in equal parts; the sugar draws them in and the boric acid does the work. Place it in bottle caps well away from children and pets.
- Bicarbonate of soda and sugar. A gentler alternative that upsets their digestion.
- Diatomaceous earth. A natural powder that dehydrates them; you sprinkle it in dry corners and cracks.
- Essential oils. The smell of bay, mint or eucalyptus repels them; a few drops along their routes helps keep them away.
Be patient: these methods take effect over days, not hours, and work best combined with cleaning and sealing the entry points.
How to get rid of cockroaches naturally and keep them away
If you are looking into how to get rid of cockroaches naturally, prevention is your best ally and it saves you reaching for harsh chemicals. Keep the kitchen dry and free of food scraps, ventilate to reduce humidity and check the dark corners regularly. A clean, tidy home with the pantry properly closed and no piles of cardboard boxes stops looking attractive to them. Having good cleaning and kitchen organisation accessories to hand makes keeping that routine effortless.
When to call a professional
If despite everything you are still seeing cockroaches daily, finding their droppings (little black specks) or noticing a distinctive smell, there may be a nest. In that case the sensible thing is to call in a pest control company, which will also treat drains and communal areas. In blocks of flats the infestation usually comes from shared spaces, so it is worth alerting the building management to tackle it at the root.
Conclusion
Knowing how to get rid of cockroaches in the house comes down to one simple idea: take away their food, water and shelter, and back that up with baits or home remedies. With consistency, within a few weeks you will notice the difference and stop the infestation repeating every summer. At Velia Select you will find solutions for the home that help you keep a kitchen clean, tidy and thoroughly unappealing to insects.