co*ckroaches. Even the mere mention of the word is enough to make you shudder in disgust. These tenacious brown creepy crawlies are arguably the most loathed pests in Australian households, but by following a few simple steps you can give co*ckies an eviction notice for good.
How to get rid of co*ckroaches
Those who’ve experienced a co*ckroach infestation will understand that getting rid of a co*ckroach infestation can be tricky if not dealt with quickly. Of all the household pests, they are the most adaptable and are very good at hiding their presence. If you see a few co*ckroaches in your home, chances are there are many more crawling around out of view.
Signs of a nest
The first thing to do is investigate. Locate the nest, which is often in a dark area that’s free from vibration and noise. The three species of co*ckroaches commonly found in Australian homes are the German co*ckroach, the Australian co*ckroach and the American co*ckroach, all of which prefer warm, moist areas. Their nests can often be found near plumbing fixtures in bathrooms and kitchens, in cupboard cracks or under drawers, inside appliances or underneath the fridge. You may also notice co*ckroach droppings around the nest’s location or your nose will help you sniff it out — most have a strong, foul odour.
First response
To successfully eradicate a co*ckroach infestation you must kill both the co*ckroaches and co*ckroach eggs.Mortein Nest Kill co*ckroach baitseliminate co*ckroaches with no mess and no fumes. They work by attracting the bugs to the bait station, where they eat the bait, return to the nest and die, contaminating other co*ckroaches and their eggs.
Next step
Baits won’t stop co*ckroaches from entering your home, so for maximum protection, use the baits in conjunction with an outdoor surface spray such as Mortein BarrierOutdoor to kill them before they get inside.
After-care
co*ckroaches live on food scraps and garbage, so it’s important to keep your kitchen clean. Cover unprotected food and make sure pet bowls are washed every night. Messy bedrooms provide perfect breeding grounds, so get the kids to chip in too. If you’ve stored household items in a shed or garage, close off the area and set off a Mortein Control Bomb before bringing anything back into the house.
FAQs
Diatomaceous earth is a natural insecticide made of powered fossilized algae, or diatoms. Diatomaceous earth quickly and suddenly dehydrates roaches so they die. Simply sprinkle it where you notice roach activity, then clean the area the next day.
How do you get rid of a heavy roach infestation? ›
Boric acid can quickly kick a roach infestation to the curb. It's extremely toxic and can kill multiple generations of roaches. Mix a combination of equal parts of boric acid, sugar and water to make a dough. Roll that dough into balls or cylinders and place them where roaches will find them.
How long does it take to kill a co*ckroach nest? ›
Within a week or so, the nest is dead. To prevent new infestations from the other trillion co*ckroaches crawling the earth, take a few preventative steps: Clean up your kitchen, paying special attention to hidden grease and crumbs under the fridge and between the stove and counters.
How do you kill a co*ckroach fast? ›
Mix equal parts water and dish soap in a spray bottle and spray it directly onto the co*ckroach. The soap will suffocate the insect, killing it instantly. However, it's important to note that soapy water is only effective when applied directly to the insect and may not be as effective as other methods.
What kills roaches in 24 hours? ›
Borax: Borax is a classic roach killer. It's a powdery substance which is a kind of salt. It dehydrates the co*ckroaches' exoskeletons and kills them. Boric Acid: Another powder solution is boric acid, dehydrating the exoskeleton until they die.
What will kill roaches forever? ›
Boric Acid
Boric acid is believed to be one of the best home remedies for co*ckroaches. For best results, dust a little bit of this powder in corners and floors and let it sit while roaches come in contact with it and die. Boric acid is not effective when it is wet.
What is the most difficult roach to get rid of? ›
German co*ckroaches are hardy and fast and have few natural predators inside human habitats. For these reasons, their populations tend to grow rapidly and can be hard to get rid of, often requiring professional treatment.
What does a severe roach infestation look like? ›
co*ckroach droppings look like black specks and are more concentrated when the infestation is more serious. While it might be tough to identify droppings from just a few roaches, it is much easier to see and identify a denser area of speckled black spots.
How long does it take to completely get rid of a roach infestation? ›
For example, it can take up to five weeks to completely rid your property of German co*ckroaches following treatment. However, during the first week alone, their numbers should reduce by 70% to 80%. The extent of the infestation also makes a difference.
How many co*ckroaches are usually in a nest? ›
Generally, the presence of discarded skins and feces are indicative of a nest, with other telltale features including a large number of dead roaches, egg cases, dark spots, and smears. Egg cases are usually brown and less than a quarter of an inch long. Each case can house 40 or more baby roaches.
Citronella Oil
Its strong scent is known to deter roaches and other insects like mosquitoes and gnats. Homeowners can either directly apply the oil to areas frequented by roaches for the most effective application or dilute it with water to create a DIY repellent spray.
Do roaches take poison back to nest? ›
After consuming a lethal dose of a residual bait insecticide known to have delayed toxicant activity, co*ckroaches return to the harborage where they excrete feces. The insecticide-laden feces, fluids and eventual carcass, can contain sufficient residual pesticide to kill others in the same nesting site.
What do roaches hate most? ›
Here are some smells that co*ckroaches find disagreeable, and you can use those smells to send them packing.
- Lavender. co*ckroaches hate the smell of lavender, and that is good news for you. ...
- Citrus. You may love the smell of fresh citrus, but co*ckroaches hate the scent. ...
- Eucalyptus.
Bleach When you think about What Kills co*ckroaches Instantly, then bleach is definitely the answer. Of course, this is not the ultimate way to do it as it will just keep them away for a while but they will come back and you have to think about that.
What is the best homemade roach killer? ›
The most popular and effective natural co*ckroach killer is diatomaceous earth. It is non-toxic to humans and kills roaches when they come into contact with it. Sprinkle the diatomaceous earth around areas where roaches travel and frequent.
What is the best roach killer for infestation? ›
The best roach killer, based on our research, is the advion 383920 co*ckroach Gel Bait; a commercial-grade roach killer set that is easy to use and lasts months after application. It can kill all sorts of co*ckroaches, including the American and German variety, and it's even safe to use if you have pets or kids.
Can you get rid of a co*ckroach infestation? ›
There are ways to mitigate small roach invasions, but infestations should be handled by exterminators. Close up any openings to a home and maintain a vegetation-free zone to keep roaches out. Avoid foggers and instead kill roaches with diatomaceous earth, boric acid, or gel-based baits.
