How to Kill Cockroaches and Ants Without Insecticide

Mix boric acid solution and flour. This is a natural cockroach and ant killer mixture that is safe to put in the house. Wheat flour will attract harmful insects, and boric acid will kill them. Wear gloves when mixing solutions. Mix one cup (120 g) of boric acid with one cup (120 g) of flour. Add more water to make the mixture liquid. ^[1]

• Pour the solution into small containers such as bowls or jar lids and place them around the house, in places frequented by cockroaches and ants, such as under the refrigerator and behind the kitchen cabinets. You can also leave it outdoors around the house.
• If you don’t use a bowl or jar lid, you can dip a cotton ball in the solution and spread it around. ^[2]
• Boric acid is toxic, so keep it away from children and pets.

Mix borax and powdered sugar. Another natural way to kill cockroaches and ants is to mix borax and powdered sugar. This method has the same effect as a mixture of boric acid and flour. Combine 2 parts fenugreek with 1 part powdered sugar, then add 2 or 3 drops of peppermint essential oil to the mixture. ^[3]

• Sprinkle the mixture around areas with ants and cockroaches.
• You can also add water to the mixture to make a solution, then dip a cotton ball in the solution and place it around the house. ^[4]

Make boric acid traps. Take an old and clean plastic box, cut small holes near the mouth of the box. Cut multiple holes if you plan to put the trap indoors, but only cut one hole if you want to keep it outside. Mix 1 cup (120 g) of borax with 1 cup (120 g) of sugar in the can. Add water, honey or bacon fat just to moisten the mixture.

• Shape the mixture into round balls and place on the lid of the plastic container, then turn the container upside down. Set traps where ants and cockroaches can find them.

Mix baking soda and sugar. Another way to get rid of cockroaches and ants without insecticide is to use baking soda and sugar. Sugar will attract ants and cockroaches, and baking soda will kill them. Mix 1 part sugar and 1 part baking soda. Store the mixture in small bowls or lids and place where cockroaches and ants go. You can put more water next to the mixture, as the water will help the baking soda work faster if the insects drink the water after eating the mixture. ^[5]

• Place the mixture under the refrigerator, in the drawers or near the entrances.

Make a trap with Vaseline cream. You can make your own non-toxic traps to kill ants and cockroaches with Vaseline cream. Place Vaseline cream in a small bowl. Add sugar or flour to attract cockroaches and ants. Place these bowls where ants and cockroaches can reach. ^[6]

• With this method, you need to check and change the Vaseline cream from time to time.

Try using essential oils. Some essential oils can repel ants. Just choose one of the essential oils below, put a few drops on a cotton ball, and wipe the spots where ants can crawl into your home. Try a variety of essential oils if you want to make sure you don’t get disturbed by ants. ^[7]

• Try peppermint, tea tree, clove, lemon, or orange essential oils.

Make an insect repellent with clove oil. Clove oil is effective against ants and cockroaches. This is a very strong essential oil that you can mix with other substances. Mix ¼ cup (60 ml) of water with ¼ cup (60 ml) of vodka. Add 15 drops of peppermint essential oil, 15 drops of tea tree oil and 1-3 drops of clove oil. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle. ^[8]

• Spray the oil anywhere you see ants or cockroaches and around entrances to your home.
• Replace tea tree oil with 15 drops of peppermint oil if you plan to spray on surfaces in the dining area.

Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the house. Some people do not like to take boric acid because it is toxic to humans. Diatomaceous earth is not toxic when swallowed. You can sprinkle a thin layer of diatomaceous earth around the entrances to your home and anywhere you think ants and cockroaches may be going. ^[9]

Prepare cockroach spray. Dissolve 1 part water, 1 part rubbing alcohol, 1 part olive oil, or 1 part undiluted white vinegar. Pour all ingredients into a spray bottle. Spray the solution on cockroaches every time you see them. This solution will coat the outside of the insect’s shell, suffocating them and dying. ^[10]