Seeing a cockroach in your home or business can be traumatizing. Unfortunately, spotting one or two roaches could be a sign that more are hiding in hard-to-reach places. Here are some methods to help eliminate cockroaches in your property.
Common Cockroach Control Products
Four common ways to bait and trap cockroaches include:
- Store-bought insecticides
Insecticides use toxic chemicals to kill roaches. Many common store-bought roach sprays include toxic ingredients that poison the roach over time, killing it anywhere from 6-72 hours after the roach comes into contact. These insecticides are mixed with ingredients that attract roaches. While they can be effective, it’s always risky bringing toxic chemicals into your home. Children or pets could mistakenly interact with them, causing illness.
- Baited roach traps
The most effective way to get rid of roaches is by using bait. Bait will lure the pests away from their nests and into a trap. Some cockroach bait will kill the roach immediately after it’s ingested; however, some baits will delay death long enough for the poisoned roach to return to its nest and infect other cockroaches through secondary transmission.
- Natural roach baits
If you don’t want to use chemicals, there are natural items you can use to catch cockroaches. Sweet ingredients like sugar, honey, and peanut butter double as natural roach bait. Starches like bread and baked goods are also effective. Placing natural bait near tape or empty jars can lure roaches into a trap. This method may be safer than using insecticide, but it may also be less effective. This method will kill a few roaches, but it won’t take care of the problem long-term.
- Household products
Borax is a household cleaner that can disinfect nearly every surface. Due to its chemical makeup, it also doubles as an effective roach killer. Borax comes in a powder that’s easy to sprinkle around entry and exit points for roaches. You can also mix it with water in a spray bottle to create an at-home solution. Borax has its own risks, however. The substance can cause skin irritation and respiratory problems if improperly handled or inhaled.
Ultimately, the safest and most effective way to get rid of cockroaches is hiring the services of a cockroach control expert. Fortunately, the licensed pest control experts at Critter Control® of Polk County are here to help.
Reliable Cockroach Control Professionals Near You
At Critter Control® of Polk County, our experienced pest control technicians will use safe, non-toxic, and eco-friendly methods to remove cockroaches from your property and keep them from returning. To schedule an inspection and receive a free estimate for our cockroach control services, call Critter Control® of Polk County today at 863-204-2815.
