8 methods for eliminating cockroaches from your home

Keep your home clean: Cockroaches are attracted to food crumbs, spills, and garbage. Regularly clean your kitchen, dining areas, and other parts of your home where food is consumed. Sweep, vacuum, and mop floors frequently, and wipe down countertops and tables to eliminate food residue.

Seal up entry points: Cockroaches can enter your home through small cracks and openings. Seal up any gaps around windows, doors, pipes, and vents using caulk or other appropriate sealants. Pay close attention to areas where utilities enter your home.

Remove water sources: Cockroaches need water to survive, so fix any leaks or drips in your home. Keep sinks, showers, and bathtubs dry, and empty pet water bowls overnight. Make sure to address any moisture issues in basements, crawl spaces, or other damp areas.

Use bait traps: Place cockroach bait traps in areas where cockroaches are likely to hide or travel, such as behind appliances, under sinks, and in cabinets. These traps contain poison that attracts cockroaches and kills them. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully and keep them out of reach of children and pets.

Spray insecticide: Use insecticide sprays or aerosols specifically designed for cockroaches. Apply these products along baseboards, in cracks and crevices, and other areas where cockroaches are present. Follow the instructions on the label and take necessary precautions, such as ventilating the area and wearing gloves.

Try natural remedies: Some natural substances can repel or kill cockroaches. For example, you can create a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar to spray on surfaces where cockroaches have been seen. Other options include essential oils like peppermint, cedarwood, or eucalyptus, which can be diluted and sprayed around entry points and hiding spots.

Set up sticky traps: Sticky traps, also known as glue traps, can be effective for capturing cockroaches. Place these traps in areas where cockroaches are active, such as along walls or near food sources. Check the traps regularly and replace them as needed.

Call a professional exterminator: If you have a severe cockroach infestation that persists despite your efforts, it may be time to call in a professional pest control company. Exterminators have access to more potent insecticides and can develop a targeted treatment plan to eliminate the problem.

This information is not DNA's opinion but obtained from media reports