Keep

Cockroaches

Out of your home

Keep

Cockroaches

Out of Your Home

Keep

Cockroaches

Out of Your Home

Contents

Download this factsheet

CONTROL COCKROACHES IN YOUR HOME WITH THESE ECO-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS

Diatomaceous earth (DE)

Concern Diatomaceous Earth Crawling Insect Killer, Safer Brand Diatomaceous Earth Ant and Crawling Insect Killer, St. Gabriel Organics Insect Dust—Diatomaceous Earth

Boric acid powder

Bonide Boric Acid Roach Powder, Hot Shot MaxAttrax Roach Killing Powder with Boric Acid

Hand duster

Pest Pistol

Sticky traps

Biocare Cockroach Traps, Biocare Professional Strength Cockroach Traps, Black Flag Roach Motel, Springstar Biocare Cockroach Trap S1303

Sticky traps with pheromone attractant

Victor Poison-free Insect Magnet, Victor Roach Pheromone Traps

Baits containing boric acid

Harris Famous Roach Tablets, Seabright Roach Free System (traps and bait)

Baits containing hydramethylnon

Combat Source Kill products, Ortho Roach Bait Station

Cockroaches are unwelcome visitors to our homes. They can carry germs from sewers, garbage cans, or bathrooms to kitchen counters and human food. Cockroaches and their droppings also trigger asthma and allergies.

Cockroaches are dark in color, oval-shaped, and have long antennae. Cockroach egg cases are small, dark, and shaped like beans. Cockroach droppings look like black pepper. Cockroaches are mainly active at night and generally stay hidden during the day in cracks and crevices near their source of food. They like warm, damp, dark, and tight spaces.

We know where they live

Finding cockroaches and their nests is the first step to getting rid of them.

  • Go into a dark room and flip on the light. Watch to see where cockroaches run.
  • Use a flashlight and a mirror to check for cockroach nests in cracks and crevices behind cabinets or under appliances. You’ll know you’ve found a nest when you see dead cockroaches, cockroaches’ shed skins, egg cases, and droppings.
  • Use nontoxic sticky traps to locate cockroach nests. Place the traps next to a wall where you think a nest might be. Sticky traps containing a nontoxic pheromone that attracts cockroaches will catch more of them. Many cockroaches in the trap tells you a nest is nearby.

Controlling cockroaches

  • If you only have a few cockroaches, you may be able to control the problem with sticky traps and cleanup.
  • Use a strong vacuum with a crevice attachment to pull cockroaches from their hiding places and clean up nests. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter if possible. After vacuuming, take the vacuum cleaner outdoors, remove the bag, seal it in a plastic garbage bag, and put it in the trash. Wipe down the vacuum cleaner with a damp cloth.
  • Cockroach droppings (frass) attract more roaches and other pests. Clean up frass with soap and water.
  • Then, use a hand duster such as a Pest Pistol to blow diatomaceous earth (DE) or boric acid powder into cracks, crevices, and other openings in walls, under large appliances, or in areas where you have found cockroach nests. Be sure to use DE sold for pest control, not for pool filters. When applying DE or boric acid powder, protect your lungs and eyes by wearing a dust mask, gloves, and safety goggles. Apply a very light coating because cockroaches will avoid piles of dust. It doesn’t take much to kill them.
  • One way to get to a cockroach hiding place behind a wall is to remove the cover plate on an electrical outlet or switch. Always turn off the power before applying products near electrical outlets.
  • If dusting is not effective, use enclosed cockroach baits. See Tips for Using Cockroach Baits.

Keep cockroaches out!

Keep cockroaches away by blocking access to your home and to their food, water, and shelter. Follow these simple good housekeeping tips to keep them from coming back:

  • Store food in the refrigerator or in containers that seal tightly.
  • Clean counters and eating areas daily. Vacuum or sweep floors. Don’t leave dirty dishes out overnight, even in the dishwasher. Take out recycling and any garbage containing food scraps every night. 
  • Place pet food and water bowls in larger bowls of soapy water. 
  • Reduce clutter in all rooms (it provides shelter for cockroaches).
  • Man kneeling to caulk the top of a baseboardKeep kitchen surfaces dry whenever they are not in use, especially overnight. 
  • Fix leaky plumbing.
  • Check items you bring into your house for cock- roaches or their egg cases. Pay special attention to used furniture and appliances, and cardboard cartons from food stores.

  • Put out sticky traps so that you’ll know as soon as cockroaches return. This is especially important in apartment buildings, condominiums, or other homes that share walls, where cockroaches can easily move from one home to another.

Keep cockroaches away by blocking access to your home and to their food, water, and shelter. Follow these simple good housekeeping tips to keep them from coming back:

  • Store food in the refrigerator or in containers that seal tightly.
  • Clean counters and eating areas daily. Vacuum or sweep floors. Don’t leave dirty dishes out overnight, even in the dishwasher. Take out recycling and any garbage containing food scraps every night. 
  • Place pet food and water bowls in larger bowls of soapy water. 
  • Reduce clutter in all rooms (it provides shelter for cockroaches).
  • Keep kitchen surfaces dry whenever they are not in use, especially overnight.
Man kneeling to caulk the top of a baseboard
  • Fix leaky plumbing.
  • Check items you bring into your house for cock- roaches or their egg cases. Pay special attention to used furniture and appliances, and cardboard cartons from food stores.

  • Put out sticky traps so that you’ll know as soon as cockroaches return. This is especially important in apartment buildings, condominiums, or other homes that share walls, where cockroaches can easily move from one home to another.

Make simple repairs that keep cockroaches from coming back

  • Seal cracks and crevices with caulk. Before sealing, vacuum and wash the area to eliminate all cockroach egg cases, droppings, or other dirt. Caulk and paint cracks around baseboards, cabinets, pipes, and sinks, etc. Use mildew-resistant caulk in damp areas.

  • Weatherstrip around doors and windows, and repair holes in screens.

Tips for using cockroach baits

  • Use baits indoors only.
  • Use baits with boric acid or hydramethylnon. Baits with hydramethylnon should be enclosed to protect people and pets.
  • Clean up crumbs and put all food away in tightly covered containers or in the fridge so cockroaches will feed only on baits.
  • Place baits near areas where cockroaches are hiding and between their hiding places and food sources. Put them along the edges of walls, and under or behind appliances and cabinets—not in the middle of the room, and never where children or pets can reach them.
  • Check bait stations often. Remove empty bait stations because they make great cockroach hiding spots.

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