Cockroaches have been around for more than 300 million years, and they have been wreaking havoc in millions of households. These creepy crawlies are harbingers of diseases and viruses which can cause health complications in individuals who have come in contact with them. With that said, their presence in a household is a cause for alarm, and one that must be addressed as soon as possible.
You might ask, "How can I eliminate roaches from my home?" or "Are there organic pest control treatments that can kill roaches?" You and other homeowners must know that there are safe pest control treatments to keep these nasty bugs out of your home; however, the best way to deter these pests is to prevent their entry in the first place. If they do find a way inside your household, you can use organic pest control solutions instead of using harmful chemical pesticides.
List Of Organic Roach Treatments
Organic pest control is a much safer choice than using chemical pesticides to get rid of cockroaches. This treatment is also very effective and you do not have to worry about its side effects towards your family and your pets. But what is natural anyway? Stomping a cockroach may be considered natural but that only kills one bug. Roaches are fast breeders and there could be hundreds of them dwelling in your property. Thankfully, there are natural treatments that can eradicate a number of these bugs.
Borax: This natural compound is often used for washing your clothes, but it can also be used against nasty bugs and insects. Boric acid powder is also harmless to humans and it is considered as an organic treatment. You can sprinkle this powder in areas where you usually find roaches, such as the kitchen counters, cupboards, behind the stove and refrigerator, and so on. When roaches walk over the borax, they will carry the substance back to their nests. You have to understand that this compound is abrasive to the exoskeleton of the bug and will cause dehydration. Additionally, when roaches preen each other, they will ingest the powder; thus, it destroys their digestive system.
Diatomaceous Earth: This is considered as a safe alternative to pesticides and it can be purchased easily at your local hardware store. You must sprinkle the areas where roaches are usually sighted, especially in hidden places, including the cabinet top and behind appliances. This treatment can cause dehydration in these bugs, just like borax; thus, killing these bugs within 2 days. You might see more bugs once you apply this treatment as they look for water but they will eventually be eliminated.
Baking Soda: Baking soda and sugar will successfully get rid of roaches. All you need to do is mix the two ingredients together and sprinkle it in the most common roach-infested areas. The roaches will be attracted to the sugar and eat it. When they do, they will ingest the baking soda along with the sugar. Once they ingest it, the baking soda will dehydrate them, killing them in a short while.
Catnip: This is another organic roach repellent with an active ingredient known as nepetalactone. This component is non-toxic to humans and pets; thus, it is safe to use. To use this approach, you need to place small sachets of catnip in areas where you observe roach activities. You can also make a "catnip tea" which you can spray on baseboards and behind counters. As a precaution, do not use this method if you have cats at home.
Bay Leaves: It is not enough to eradicate these bugs. You also need to make sure that they won't come back. Thankfully, there are organic pest control treatments that can serve as a deterrent. Using bay leaves is a very natural way to keep roaches out of your home. Place it in cupboards to keep roaches away. These bugs have a natural aversion to the strong smell of bay leaves. Other options include the slices of cucumber or minced garlic cloves.
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The author, Kris Lim, writes for home improvement website where she offers tips and advice on how to make the home a more comfortable living environment. Her written works have also been used by pest control companies, including Rove Pest Control. In this article, she lists down 5 very effective organic pest control treatments for roaches.