Home - Everything Else - 4 Useful Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Roaches
4 useful home remedies to get rid of roaches

4 useful home remedies to get rid of roaches

An insect infestation in the house is not only a nuisance but also a huge hygiene issue that must be addressed immediately. Roaches, in particular, are unsanitary and hide in the tiniest spaces and holes, including the drains. While they are sneaky with their hiding spots, there are a few ways to eliminate them from the home. Find their hiding spaces and then use the following remedies to solve the problem.

Home remedies to kill roaches
Here are a few simple home remedies that can help get rid of roaches at home. These remedies do not need professional assistance and can be used by almost anyone:

Boric acid
To get started with this remedy, mix three ingredients: boric acid, sugar, and water. Use equal quantities of all these and form a dough. Now, take this dough and divide it into small round balls or cylinders. Next, find the hiding spots of the roaches and place them there. The roaches will come to snack on the dough and ingest it. Since the mixture is poisonous to roaches, it will kill them. When the other roaches find them, they will feed on them and, in turn, ingest the poisonous boric acid, suffering the same fate. This way, one ingredient can help curb a roach infestation effectively by killing multiple generations of these pests.

Baking soda
This ingredient is readily available and is used by almost everyone. When roaches ingest baking soda, it produces gasses inside them. These gases cause them to bloat and die. Therefore, baking soda is an effective solution to get rid of roaches. However, these pests usually do not like to eat just baking soda. One way to trap them into eating this ingredient is using table sugar. Take some table sugar and mix it with baking soda on a small plate or a container that is accessible to the roaches. Roaches may also be attracted to onions, so placing onion rings sprinkled with powdered baking soda in their hiding spots can also help. However, do not use this remedy if there are dogs in the house, as onions are toxic to them.

Citrus sprays
Many people love homemade citrus and peppermint sprays as they help freshen up the room. However, these scents are unpleasant to roaches. The smell will drive them away, along with their egg cases. One way to prepare the spray is to mix essential oils (just a couple of drops) with water and spray the solution in various places in the house where roaches usually hide along with their eggs. Another remedy is to add these scents to the water used to mop the floor or wipe the countertop. Use a clean cloth when wiping the walls or tiles with this mix.

Diatomaceous earth
This is a tried and tested ingredient for killing the roaches in the house. Diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring substance, which means it is not toxic to humans or animals. It is made up of the fossilized bodies of sea organisms. Diatomaceous earth has sharp edges that help in cutting insects. Roaches can easily get cut when crawling on top of this powder. The earth also helps dry out the insects’ bodies, making it a must-try remedy.

If someone is looking for solutions other than the home remedies discussed here, they can invest in store-bought treatments or hire professional services to get rid of roaches. Pest control contractors use different products and tools to control an infestation. Here are some ways to tackle the roaches:

Use insect growth regulators to target the eggs and nymphs so that no new roaches enter the house.
Invest in cockroach baits that attract the roaches and then poison them.
Use dust products that scratch and dehydrate the roaches (like diatomaceous earth).

How to prevent roach infestations?
Home remedies and treatments can help get rid of an existing cockroach infestation. However, experts recommend taking steps to prevent the problem from reoccurring in the future:

Sanitize the environment
Clean the house regularly to ensure pests do not find an environment conducive to breeding and reproduction. Roaches, in particular, find the smallest crumbs or food scraps and survive on them for long. They also love to snack from the garbage can, so empty it regularly and prevent it from filling to the brim.

Dry moist areas
Roaches love to breed in wet, moist areas. If there are leaks in the house, such as leaking roofs, vents, or pipes, immediately get them fixed. Use a dehumidifier in rooms that feel too humid. A dehumidifier can also be installed in the basement, which may sometimes develop leaks due to less maintenance.

Check the landscaping
Roaches and pests use the landscaping close to the house to hide. They come out at night and enter the kitchen area, basement, and toilets. So, keep the landscaping a bit further away from the house to avoid easy entry for the pests.

Besides taking preventive steps, it is advisable to speak to a professional about getting pest control done. Homeowners can compare the services of different contractors and get an estimate for the same.

Latest Articles

8 Healthy and Filling Snack Ideas for Kids
Health

8 Healthy and Filling Snack Ideas for Kids

When hunger strikes between meals, it’s important to have healthy and satisfying snacks, especially for growing kids. The stores are flooded with packaged snack options that are tempting and convenient to buy, but most of them contain high sugar levels, empty calories, and add no nutritional value. Instead, one can opt for one of the following snacking options: easy to make, highly flavorful, and provide numerous benefits that boost a child’s development. Crunchy vegetables and hummus Vegetables are another great snack choice, providing essential vitamins and minerals. For example, one can opt for crunchy vegetables like carrot sticks, cucumber slices, bell pepper strips, and cherry tomatoes. Pairing them with a healthy dip such as hummus or yogurt-based dressings can make them more appealing to kids and boost their overall health and energy levels. Yogurt Yogurt is a versatile snack packed with calcium, protein, and probiotics. The live bacteria in the product are highly beneficial for digestion. Packed with nutrients, yogurt is a supportive and tasty snack for developing and strengthening kids’ bones. One should choose plain, unsweetened yogurt and add natural sweetness by mixing fresh fruits or a drizzle of honey. One should avoid store-bought sweetened or flavored yogurt since these products contain high sugar levels. Alternatively, one can freeze yogurt in popsicle molds for a refreshing treat during warmer months. Yogurt may not be advisable, however, for infants below twelve months. Popcorn Another healthy choice for a quick snack is popcorn. This fun and crunchy snack can be ideal for movie night or after-school treats as it is nutritious whole grain rich in fiber. It can also help regulate bowel movements and is rich in antioxidants and low in bad cholesterol. One can drizzle some low-fat butter or cheese on top to make it tastier. Avoid adding too many unhealthy toppings.
17 Healthy Foods for Seniors
Health

17 Healthy Foods for Seniors

To support healthy aging, it is important to prioritize nutrition and lifestyle. Eating well-balanced meals can help one stay energized, get all the nutrients required for performing daily activities, and reduce the risk of chronic health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. On the other hand, malnutrition can weaken the muscles and bones and leave one vulnerable to diseases. To avoid this, here are some healthy foods seniors must eat regularly. Fatty fish Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel are a great source of proteins and omega-3 fatty acids, which can help protect the body from cardiovascular conditions. Seniors must try to add fatty fish to their meals at least two times a week to improve their health. Those who do not enjoy the flavor of fish may also consider omega-3 fish oil supplements. Skinless poultry Skinless poultry, also known as lean meats, is a great source of protein for seniors. Cuts of chicken and turkey can be prepared with herbs and spices as low-sodium meals, especially for seniors with high blood pressure. Eggs Egg whites are also a great source of protein and heart-healthy nutrients for elders. However, the yolks are rich in cholesterol, so, preparing eggs carefully and eating them in moderation can help seniors boost their health. Dairy products Dairy products are a great source of nutrients, especially calcium and vitamin D. Yogurt is an important probiotic that can help protect the gut biome. However, opt for reduced-fat or skimmed milk options to reduce the consumption of unhealthy fats. Also, avoid buying flavored dairy products as these often contain added sugars and preservatives. Walnuts Walnuts are another excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, especially for vegans and vegetarians. They are a rich source of fiber and help protect heart health. Almonds Rich in unsaturated fats, almonds can help lower bad cholesterol (LDL) levels, making them a healthy snack or additive to meals.
8 Gardening Mistakes and Ways to Avoid Them
Everything Else

8 Gardening Mistakes and Ways to Avoid Them

Transforming your backyard can be an exciting project. You could create a hangout spot, install sculptures, or even add a garden. However, adding plants to a backyard can require considerable time and effort. If you are taking up gardening for the first time, you do not want to miss key steps that affect the look of the space. So, to help you get started, here are a few gardening mistakes and how to avoid them: Planting excessively You may spend immense amounts of time scrolling through seed catalogs and looking forward to fresh vegetables and sometimes can end up planting too much. A big garden may require a lot of effort and can become overwhelming. So, if you have just taken up gardening, start small. First, shortlist your five favorite vegetables and herbs, and grow them. As you have some success with these plants, introduce new seeds to the space to gradually expand the garden space. Planting too early Seeds require an optimum temperature to sprout and grow. If some seeds thrive in warmer temperatures, the yield may freeze and die if you try to grow them in spring. The seed may also rot without sprouting. So, you must check what climates are suitable for each type before spreading them across the garden. One of the best ways to avoid planting earlier than required is to buy a good soil thermometer and note the usual first and last frost dates in your area to avoid this period for starting a garden. Overlooking the soil type Another mistake to avoid is planting seeds without checking whether the soil is loamy. If your backyard does not have loamy soil—rich in silt, clay, sand, and organic matter—the seeds will get sufficient nourishment, and the saplings may grow weak and perish quickly. So, before you start a garden, ensure you amend the soil to make it ideal for plant growth.