How to get rid of cockroaches in the apartment

Regardless of the type of cockroaches that appear in your apartment, you’ve probably found them to be very agile, good at wriggling, and difficult to get rid of. This pest is easy to adapt and very hardy, moreover it reproduces quickly. Although it is not possible to get rid of cockroaches with just one simple solution, a combination of many treatments will be effective. You can get rid of cockroaches with an insecticide powder, bait or other methods such as setting traps or calling a professional extermination service. You can also take steps to prevent them from coming back.

Table of Contents

Use bait to get rid of cockroaches

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Buy cockroach bait. Baits are one of the safest and most effective ways to get rid of cockroaches. Cockroach baits work for a long time, can kill cockroaches directly (when cockroaches eat baits) or indirectly (when cockroaches eat waste or carcasses of cockroaches that have eaten baits). ^{[1] X Research Source}

You can buy cockroach bait as a bait or gel container. Cockroach baits are available at home stores, pharmacies, and supermarkets. Popular brands are Avert, Blue Diamond, Combat, and Max Force.

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Make your own cockroach bait. You can make a pretty effective cockroach bait from household ingredients. Try one of the following recipes:

Mix a small amount of the following ingredients in equal proportions: white flour, cocoa, oatmeal, boric acid, and plaster of Paris.
Mix 2 teaspoons (10 ml) citrus juice, ¾ teaspoon (about 4 ml) brown sugar, ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) cornstarch, and ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) a -boric acid.
Cockroach baits containing boric acid must be kept out of the reach of children and pets.

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Place cockroach baits in areas where cockroaches travel. Cockroach baits are most effective if placed in areas where cockroaches often congregate, such as cabinets, spaces behind and under appliances, and places where food and moisture are readily available, such as bathrooms and kitchens.

Avoid placing cockroach baits in open spaces. Cockroach baits are often more effective (and less likely to be found by pets and children) if placed under or between appliances, in dark corners and inside drawers.
If you make your own cockroach bait, place it in a small container, such as a shallow bowl or lid of a plastic container, and then place it in the appropriate place as well as the commercially available bait box.

Use insect repellent powder

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Buy one of the insecticidal powders. There are three basic types: silicon dioxide (found in products like Delta Dust or Safer Ant & Crawling Insect Killer), diatomite soil (Roach and Ant Killer DE Dust), and boric acid (Borid, Pic Boric, or Roach Prufe). Silicon dioxide and diatomite soil damage and dry out the cockroach’s exoskeleton, while boric acid is toxic to cockroaches when ingested. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Borax (sodium borate), also known as borax, is commonly used as a homemade cockroach killer. Borax contains the same amount of boron (Bo) as boric acid, but may be less effective when used as an insecticide.

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Put cockroach killer powder in places where cockroaches hide. This powder should only be used in moderation. Cockroaches will notice and avoid large piles of powder. Use a small amount of powdered cockroach repellent and sprinkle a thin layer (just visible) into cracks and crevices between drawers and under furniture. Every 3-4 months sprinkle powdered cockroach killer once or according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

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Keep the powder out of the reach of pets and children. The powders mentioned above are relatively safe, but they can still be toxic. Be especially careful when using powders containing boric acid. Do not use this powder on food preparation or dining tables.

Use other methods

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Use a vacuum cleaner to suck up cockroaches when you see them. This is a quick and effective way to deal with the problem on the spot. If you see live cockroaches, cockroach droppings or cockroach eggs, vacuum them up and dispose of the trash in the vacuum cleaner in the trash outside the building. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

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Set sticky traps and traps with jars. These types of traps can help reduce the number of cockroaches in your home, and are also helpful in identifying where in your home cockroaches are most likely to congregate.

Sticky traps are available at most hardware stores, pharmacies, or supermarkets.
You can also make your own trap by spreading a layer of Vaseline and placing a piece of slightly damp bread and a few slices of raw potato inside as bait. You can kill cockroaches in the trap by pouring soapy water into the jar. ^{[4] X Research Sources}
Dispose of cockroaches in traps in a trash can located outside the house.

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Hire a licensed professional to deal with cockroaches in your home. Pest control professionals are allowed to use chemicals that the average person is not allowed to, such as Avermectin. If you are living in a rental unit, you should contact the owner if they are familiar with pest control services in the area.

Prevent cockroaches from entering the house

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Talk to management and the building supervisor. Even if cockroaches have been eradicated in your apartment, they will return if the whole building is left untreated. Cockroaches can hide between walls and gaps between buildings, or move between buildings throughout an entire building. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

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Eliminate all food sources of cockroaches. Cockroaches love starches and sugars found in foods, soaps, and even plants.

Store food (for people and pets) in a plastic or glass container with a tight-fitting lid. You should move food in bags, boxes, or other materials that are susceptible to cockroaches into plastic containers or glass jars.
Replace bar soap with liquid soap, and apply a coat of Vaseline on plants and potted plants to keep cockroaches out of your apartment.
Keep trash, compost and recyclables in closed containers. Regularly take out the trash.

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Keep the places where there are cockroaches. Cake crumbs, spilled drinks and stains can attract cockroaches. Clean kitchen countertops after cooking. Sweep up the crumbs and wipe the drink off as soon as it drops. Wipe inside drawers, around and under household items. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

Carefully sweep and wipe away cockroach droppings if you see them, as it can attract cockroaches.

Advice

Cockroaches are an unfortunate fact that often happens to many people living in apartments. Before moving into an apartment, it’s a good idea to ask about your pest control policy and what to do to make sure cockroaches don’t invade your apartment.

Warning

Make sure children and pets stay away from insecticides that you use in your home. They can be toxic or life-threatening if swallowed.

Steps