One great thing about living in Colorado is the lack of bugs here. Oh we have your standard flies and spiders, but compared to when I lived in the South, this is heaven. There we suffered from giant mosquitoes, 1/2 inch carpenter ants, chiggers that once sent me to the ER, fleas that love me, and last but definitely not least in the yuk factor, roaches.
Cockroaches are the most common insect pests infesting homes and restaurants. Cockroaches are repulsive and most people hate them. They are also capable of mechanically transmitting disease organisms such as the bacteria which cause food poisoning. Recently, cockroaches have been found to be an important source of allergy in people, second only to house dust.
So how do you kill these horrible creatures? This blog will focus on ridding your home of roaches without the need for toxic bug sprays. Earlier, Geri wrote a really useful article on Eliminating Bugs In and Around Your Home but since that was published, I’ve read about some other tried and true remedies specifically for roaches.
- People have been fighting cockroaches with boric acid for nearly a century. Boric acid is one of the most effective cockroach control agents ever developed provided that it is used correctly. Unfortunately, most people use it incorrectly, and in the process waste their money and effort. Boric acid may be used alone or in combination with roach traps.Boric acid is a white, inorganic powder chemically derived from boron and water. Boron is mined from vast mineral deposits in the ground and is used in countless consumer products, including laundry additives, toothpaste and mouthwash. Boric acid insecticide formulations can be purchased at hardware and grocery stores. The powder comes ready-to-use, i.e., no mixing or dilution is required.
Cockroaches succumb to boric acid when they crawl over treated areas. The key to success with boric acid is proper application. For best results, the powder should be applied in a very thin layer barely visible to the naked eye. Piles or heavy accumulations will be avoided by foraging cockroaches much as we would avoid walking through a snow drift. Avoid applying a heavy layer, and never apply the material with a spoon.
Key areas for treatment include under/behind the refrigerator, stove and dishwasher, into the opening where plumbing pipes enter walls (such as under sinks and behind the commode, shower and washing machine), and into cracks along edges and corners inside cabinets and pantries.
NEVER apply boric acid onto countertops or other exposed surfaces, especially those used to prepare food. Any visible residues should be wiped off with a damp cloth.
I have found the one that works great is Hot Shots Liquid Roach Bait. Roaches need a food and a water source to survive. The Hot Shots attract them because it offers both sources in one little bait station. This will even treat a major infestation. Trust me, it works awesome.
- Buy a few bottles and crush the leaves up and toss some in your cupboards, put some in small dishes and set around the house, throw some behind fridge, stove, etc. It will take about a week for them to leave, but it works!
I hope one of these remedies does the trick for you. Give them a try for a couple weeks, and let me know what you think.
