How to Get Rid of Roaches (2024)

Roaches invade your home, contaminate your food, and reproduce rapidly. If not addressed quickly, a small roach problem can become an infestation in no time.

While discovering co*ckroaches can be distressing, there’s plenty homeowners can do to handle them. From pest prevention tips to the best pest control companies, this article discusses everything you need to know about getting rid of roaches.

Common co*ckroaches

co*ckroaches are nocturnal insects belonging to the Blattodea family, similar to termites. These disease-spreading invaders are found in almost every region of the United States. but are very prevalent in hot, coastal climates.

The two most troublesome co*ckroaches in the U.S. are the Germain co*ckroach and American co*ckroach. But there are nearly 70 different types of co*ckroaches that can infest your home. The following table details some of the most common co*ckroaches across the country:

Scientific Name: Periplaneta americana

Region: Most of the U.S.

Description: Reddish-brown to pale coloration, with thin cerci (tail-like segments).

Scientific Name: Blattella asahinai

Region: Southern U.S. and coastal states

Description: Long, pale body with darker vertical stripes than the German roach.

Scientific Name: Supella longipalpa

Region: Most of the U.S.

Description: Pale coloration with dark brown bands across the wings.

Scientific Name: Panchlora nivea

Region: Louisiana, Florida, Texas, and other Southern states

Description: Olive to lime green coloration.

Scientific Name: Blaberus craniifer

Region: Southern Florida

Description: Dark brown, glossy bodies with a skull-shaped marking on the abdomen.

Scientific Name: Blattella vaga

Region: Southwestern U.S. and Louisiana

Description: Tan to olive green coloration with vertical stripes.

Scientific Name: Blattella germanica

Region: Most of the U.S.

Description: Thin, flat with a tapered rear end and two vertical stripes below the head.

Scientific Name: Periplaneta fuliginosa

Region: Southern coastal states, like Florida and the Carolinas

Description: Black to dark-brown coloration with a glossy appearance.

According to the University of Minnesota, adult co*ckroaches produce between 16 and 50 eggs at one time depending on the species. It can take between three to four months for eggs to hatch and develop, and each roach can lay up to 600 in their lifetime.

German co*ckroaches have a faster life cycle than American roaches. This reproductive trait means that German roach colonies expand faster and once established, they can be quite difficult to get rid of. For additional information about dealing with German co*ckroach nests in particular, we recommend reading our supplementary guide, How to Get Rid of German co*ckroaches.

Why and How co*ckroaches Enter Your Home

co*ckroaches invade homes because they are attracted to food and water sources. Dirty dishes, crumbs, food spills, leftovers, garbage, and pet food will all draw co*ckroaches in. Roaches are excellent at scuttling into and over tiny spaces, especially holes in pipes, cracks and crevices in your home, and tears in screens.

How To Get Rid of co*ckroaches

You can take various measures to eliminate co*ckroaches, from cleaning up to setting bait, using diatomaceous earth, and applying repellents and insecticides. Several DIY solutions can work for small roach infestations. But for more serious roach problems, seek out a professional pest control company.

Set Roach Killer Bait and Traps

The most effective roach killers are either traps or chemical bait.

co*ckroach traps, sometimes called “roach motels,” use bait to lure the co*ckroaches onto a powerful sticky surface similar to a glue strip.

However, in most cases, chemical baits are faster-acting and more powerful than glue traps. Chemical roach bait contains insecticide in gel, liquid, or granular form that imitates food. In this case, a co*ckroach will consume the pesticide bait and then migrate back to their nests, where they die. This creates a domino effect, as the other roaches in the nest eat the dead roach’s poisoned carcass, which spreads the toxin throughout the nest.

Chemical bait is also toxic to pets and humans, so place it where pets and children cannot access it. Avoid placing bait next to open food and drinks.

Since co*ckroaches nest close to food, trash bins, and plumbing, place the bait throughout the kitchen and bathroom areas. Lay it beneath sinks, stoves, and refrigerators, behind or near trash cans, inside kitchen and bathroom cabinets, and under baseboards.

Reapply gel bait roughly every 2–3 weeks. For bait stations, check the bait levels once a week and replace empty stations with new, full stations.

You can purchase roach traps and bait from home improvement stores, most grocery stores and Amazon and similar online vendors.

Clean Up and Cut Off Food Supply

co*ckroaches are attracted to the food and shelter that comes with filth. Cleaning your home is the easiest way to keep roaches at bay. You need to be incredibly thorough in this effort—unfortunately, roaches can survive for two weeks without water and three months without food. Be as stringent as you can.

• Wipe up spills and clean up crumbs immediately.
• Wash dishes immediately after use and put them away.
• Empty and clean cabinets.
• Clean underneath the sink.
• Clean under all appliances, including the refrigerator, a favorite hiding spot.
• Clean the interior and exterior of garbage cans. Throw trash away as soon as it’s time, and always use liners and tight-fitting lids.
• Sweep, vacuum, and mop periodically.
• Empty out or cover pet food dishes.

Set Out Glue Strips

You can monitor the situation by setting out glue strips in areas you suspect have high co*ckroach activity, such as the space between your refrigerator and floor and behind toilets. The more roaches on one glue strip, the more activity there is. We recommend the co*ckroach Glue Trap by Catchmaster, which includes six disposable traps.

If you have pets, you must be tactical about where you place these traps. Glue strips can get stuck on your pet’s paws, tail, or fur and are difficult to remove. We recommend placing traps behind cupboards, underneath refrigerators or other appliances, and other pet-proof areas near the ground.

Eliminate Hiding Spaces

Roaches can’t survive in your home without shelter. Throw away all clutter, including cardboard boxes and unnecessary papers. This cleaning should apply to the outside of the home as well. You’ll want to remove any debris on your lawn and backyard, such as empty containers, trash bins, firewood, and piles of leaves or other lawn clippings.

co*ckroaches will often infest nearby structures and spread into your home. If you have nearby buildings such as sheds or garages, you’ll want to ensure those are also cleaned.

Get Rid of Standing Water

Start by surveying your plumbing system for leaky pipes and take steps to prevent household plumbing leaks in the future. Empty the dish tray from beneath your refrigerator and keep your sinks drained.

Apply Boric Acid or Use Liquid Concentrates

Boric acid (Borax) is a popular home remedy. This DIY strategy involves mixing equal proportions of boric acid, confectioners’ sugar, and flour together into a dough—the baking ingredients will attract the roaches, and the boric acid will kill them. Break up this dough into marble-sized balls and set them strategically around your home like beneath the refrigerator and sink.

Liquid concentrates are specially formulated roach deterrents. Mix them with water to dilute them, then spray them into likely hiding spots, including cracks and crevices.

Seal Up Entry Points

Any opening 1 quarter inch or larger will allow roaches to get inside. Even if you eliminate all the roaches in your home, they’ll come back if you don’t seal these entrances. If you want to eliminate roaches for good, you should take the time to check your home for entry points at least once every two years.

When pest-proofing your home, we recommend the following:

• Check your foundation: Look for gaps, cracks, and holes 1 quarter inch or wider. You should seal these openings with waterproof caulk or expanding foam.
• Look for gaps in siding: Damaged sections should be replaced or sealed with foam.
• Checking window and door screens: Any window or door screen with cuts or holes should be patched or replaced. Home improvement stores sell screen rolls, which you can use for both window and door screens.
• Replace weather stripping: Weather stripping keeps out drafts and pests. You should replace your window’s weather stripping once every two to three years.
• Seal utility and cable holes: Holes for utility lines and cables are a common entry point for pests that are all too easily looked over. We recommend sealing these with waterproof caulk.

Apply Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring stone composed mostly of silicone. It is the fossilized remnants of microalgae called diatoms. This mineral dries out insects when exposed to their carapace, making it highly lethal to most pests. It’s also completely harmless to children, pets, and humans.

You must purchase the food-grade version when using diatomaceous earth for roach elimination. You’ll want to apply the powder to places where you’ve seen roaches scurrying.

Sprinkle Baking Soda

Baking soda is another effective DIY solution to co*ckroach problems. Baking soda will kill co*ckroaches when ingested, but it isn’t a desirable food source and must be mixed with something first.

Mix one part baking soda with confectioner sugar to make an effective DIY co*ckroach bait trap. Add this mixture into a bowl and place it where you’ve spotted roaches. While not lethal to pets, baking soda can cause stomach aches and irritation, so it’s best to put these homemade bait stations where your four-legged friends can get to them.

A Note on Bug Bombs and DIY Sprays

Bugs bombs, also called “foggers,” are a pesticide released through an aerosol canister. These tools are extremely effective at killing some kinds of roaches but can be dangerous to use. The insecticides in bug bombs are very toxic, highly flammable, and require homeowners to vacate when in use. If you’re thinking of using a bug bomb, we recommend contacting a pest control company instead.

Signs of a co*ckroach Infestation

Spotting a roach infestation early is essential to eliminating it before you have a full-blown infestation. Roaches can be tricky to identify early on since they’re nocturnal and tend to hide.

You may have a roach problem if you see any of the following signs:

• Small, pepper-like droppings on the floor or countertops
• Exoskeleton sheddings
• Dark-brown smudges or streaks along baseboards or kitchen cabinets
• Foul, musty odors in the basem*nt, crawl space, or food storage areas
• Purse-shaped egg casings
• Damage to paper or cardboard food containers

Top Recommended Providers For Roach Control

Fast and effective roach control is a tall order, and it’s best left to qualified professional exterminators. The This Old House Reviews Team recommends top pest control companies Terminix and Orkin. Both companies have pest control experts who will tailor a roach control plan to your home and provide ongoing solutions for potential reinfestation.

Both companies stand out for their widespread availability, 24/7 customer support, and reservice guarantees that state specialists will provide additional treatments between scheduled visits if necessary. With both Orkin and Terminix, you can schedule pest-specific extermination and prevention services for roaches and various other types of infestations.

We always recommend getting multiple quotes before making your final decision.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Rid of co*ckroaches

Our Rating Methodology

The This Old House Reviews Team backs up our pest control recommendations with a detailed rating methodology that we use to objectively score each provider. We review pest control plans, navigate the provider website, speak with customer service representatives by phone and online chat (if available), request quotes, and analyze customer reviews for each provider. We then score the provider against our review standards for plans and services, reputation and customer responses, customer service offerings, workmanship guarantees, financing, and availability to arrive at a final score on a 5-point rating scale.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.