There is good news, however. In most cases, it only takes some simple but effective methods to get rid of cockroaches for good. Even though they will supposedly be around after we all bite the dust in the apocalypse, with patience and vigilance, they can survive somewhere else other than your home. We’re going to do a deep dive into the best ways to get rid of cockroaches fast, as well as some ways to keep them from ever coming back to gain a foothold again.
How do I Get Rid of Roaches Fast?
There are countless chemical and natural ways to combat cockroaches, but with a few common-sense efforts and maybe some supplies from the store, you can beat the cockroaches you have and prevent them from getting back into your home once they’re gone.
Cockroaches aren’t hunters, they’re scavengers, and they seek shelter. One of the things that will draw them in is the nearly endless supply of food and shelter available in unkempt or downright filthy homes. With this in mind, one of the most effective ways to get rid of cockroaches fast is to take that away from them.
Be thorough, and don’t miss a thing, or you could be leaving them with some rations. Some of the things to put on your to-do list include:
- Clean underneath the sink and repair leaks that may serve as a water source
- Clean underneath all appliances, particularly those that generate heat, such as the oven and under the fridge
- Empty out and completely clean all cabinets and drawers, especially if they contained food
- Completely clean the inside and outside of all trash cans, and be sure they all have well-fitting lids
- Sweep and mop hard flooring and vacuum carpeting, continuing to do so periodically
- Be extremely careful when feeding pets to ensure no food is spilled, removing food when they are finished eating
- Throw trash out as soon as possible, and don’t leave anything out
- Don’t leave dirty dishes lying around. Clean them, dry them, and ensure they’re stored properly
- If any food or drink is spilled, be sure to clean it up immediately, or it may become roach food
This will involve not only patience but dedicated effort since cockroaches can survive without food for approximately 90 days and without water for about two weeks. This means you will need to maintain your newly cleaned home for at least that long for it to effectively drive them out in search of another place to stay.
What Keeps Cockroaches Away?
The best way to keep cockroaches away is to ensure they have no access to your food. One of the best ways to do this is, following your intense cleaning regimen, centralizing and securely storing your food items. Great ways to do this are using plastic storage containers for things like pasta, rice, cereal, pet food, and more. There are even products that let you store softer goods like bread and buns securely and out of the reach of cockroaches.
Leaking pipes, dripping faucets, and other similar plumbing issues are vital sources of water for cockroaches. Eliminating these water sources will prevent existing roaches from staying for very long and deter others from moving in.
Be sure you go over your home with a fine-tooth comb as well, looking for potential hiding places and points of entry. Fill gaps, cracks, and holes around the foundation and walls of your home with expanding foam, and remove outside clutter and debris that creates a safe hiding place.
What is the Fastest Way to Get Rid of Cockroaches?
The absolute fastest way to get rid of cockroaches is to remove their food and water sources, then begin more aggressive elimination of the ones that are left. This can mean using commercially available pesticides to spray, bomb, or dust the existing cockroaches.
In many cases, roach spray from the hardware store or homemade borax solutions will be enough to get rid of the issue. However, sometimes this just won’t be enough to fix the problem, and you may need to contact a professional pest control service. They can come out and give you an estimate for their services, and you can decide if you want to go through with it.
Getting Rid of Cockroaches
If you suddenly find yourself with an infestation of cockroaches, there is still hope. Remember what they need and why they’re at your home, and fix the problem’s root cause. Clean up and treat the ones you have, and if they stick around after concerted efforts, don’t be afraid to call a professional.