To keep roaches away effectively, a combination of prevention, cleanliness, and natural repellents is key:
Prevention and Home Maintenance
- Seal entry points: Close gaps and cracks around doors, windows, pipes, baseboards, and wall junctures to block roaches from entering your home
- Inspect items: Check boxes, packages, and groceries before bringing them inside to avoid introducing roaches
- Limit clutter: Keep floors clear of cardboard, paper, and other hiding spots, especially in kitchens
- Secure outdoor areas: Remove food sources, keep trash cans tightly closed, trim vegetation away from the house, and store firewood away from the home
Cleanliness Practices
- Maintain a clean kitchen: Wash dishes immediately, clean countertops and floors nightly, and remove crumbs and spills promptly
- Proper food storage: Store all food and pet food in sealed containers and empty pet bowls overnight
- Take out garbage daily: Especially before bedtime to avoid attracting roaches
Natural Repellents and Remedies
- Diatomaceous earth: Apply around house borders, doorways, and corners; it dehydrates and kills roaches
- Essential oils and spices: Use peppermint, eucalyptus, cinnamon, bay leaves, citrus peels, and other scents roaches hate by sprinkling or spraying in infested areas
- Baking soda and sugar mix: Acts as a bait that disrupts roach digestion
- Vinegar and lemon juice: Clean surfaces with these to repel roaches due to their strong smells
- Salt spray: Mix salt with water and spray infested areas to kill roaches, especially German cockroaches
Additional Tips
- Limit eating to one room: This reduces food crumbs and makes cleaning easier
- Use roach traps and gel baits: For active infestations, these can help reduce populations
- Regular inspection and monitoring: Helps catch infestations early and maintain control
By combining these strategies-sealing entry points, maintaining cleanliness, and using natural repellents-you can keep roaches away from your home permanently
