Do you ever come back to your kitchen at night to find an army of cockroaches crawling all over the floors, walls, and countertops? As disgusting as that sight is, it is also rather alarming. You need to take the required steps to control cockroach infestation from happening.
Spotting cockroaches here and there indicates you may have an unidentified infestation at home. Sharing a home with these creepy crawlies is uncomfortable, unsanitary, and unhealthy.
Thankfully, you can do a few things to keep these stubborn pests away. In this article, find out all about the best ways to save your kitchen from the disaster of an uncontrollable cockroach infestation.
Effective Ways to Control Cockroach Infestation in Your Kitchen
Identify Where the Cockroaches are Coming From and Seal Entry Points
Before you can get rid of cockroaches in your kitchen, you need to identify the source of these notorious insects. Investigate what may attract cockroaches to your house and where they hide.
These pests usually come into the house through small cracks, plumbing, doorways, grocery bags, etc. They commonly hide in places where there is moisture and food.
So, you might want to check all the tight spaces in your kitchen for signs of cockroaches. Check behind your refrigerator, inside kitchen cabinets, underneath the sink, and around the dishwasher for signs of an infestation.
Once you find out what attracts cockroaches to your kitchen, it is time for damage control. Seal all possible entryways. Close any gaps and holes you can find with caulk, seal doors and windows with weather stripping, fix plumbing leaks, and store food in air-tight containers.
Clean Your Kitchen Thoroughly
When it comes to combating a cockroach problem, there is no alternative to cleaning. Cockroaches are attracted to filth, and a clean kitchen ought to be enough to deter these pests. A busy day of cooking and eating will usually lead to food crumbs and spills being left around.
When cockroaches come scavenging for food, these leftovers convince the roaches to linger in your kitchen for longer. They also appreciate when you store food in containers they can access. Another major reason why your kitchen may have cockroaches are grease stains. What may look like some insignificant drops of oil on your kitchen walls and countertops are actually cherished food sources for these insects.
You can keep cockroaches away by simply cleaning your kitchen and cutting their food source off. Wipe down surfaces diligently, get rid of spills and crumbs immediately, and clean your kitchen cabinets frequently.
Store leftovers in the fridge and dry food in airtight containers. Pay attention to decluttering your kitchen, remembering that cockroaches love tight spaces. Vacuum the nooks and crannies in your kitchen every few days to remove cockroaches and any of their eggs that might have already found a home in your kitchen.
Natural Cockroach Deterrents
Sealing entry points and keeping a clean kitchen is already half the battle won against cockroaches. However, you can take a few extra steps to remove cockroaches from your home completely. Cockroach control can be difficult, but relying on some natural ways suggested below can help eliminate cockroaches for good:
Baking Soda and Sugar
This first home remedy includes two common kitchen ingredients: baking soda and sugar. You can use this mixture to control small cockroaches in the kitchen. The sugar acts as bait, while it’s the baking soda that works to kill the cockroaches.
Cockroaches are attracted to the sweet smell of sugar. When they ingest the mixture, the baking soda in it kills them. Spread this mixture in areas of the kitchen where you suspect high cockroach activity.
Another easy tip for cockroach control is to make a mixture with two tablespoons of baking soda, one lemon, and one litre of hot water. Pouring this mixture into the pipes will effectively disinfect them and prevent cockroaches from climbing up. In addition to being highly effective, these natural cockroach control measures are also very easy on the wallet.
Boric Acid
Boric acid is another common cockroach-killing ingredient that you might want to try. It is one of the fastest ways to reduce the cockroach population hiding in your kitchen. All you have to do is sprinkle some of this powder around the nooks and crannies. Soon after cockroaches consume boric acid, they will die of dehydration.
If you want to increase the effectiveness of this hack, simply add some sugar with boric acid. The sugar will attract more cockroaches. This method also helps to keep ants away from your kitchen. However, boric acid can be harmful to small children and pets. So, make sure to keep it out of their reach.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are renowned for their healing and rejuvenating qualities. Did you know these popular skin and hair care ingredients can be used to keep insects at bay? Yes, essential oils such as lavender and peppermint can help keep cockroaches and other pests away. Spray some of these oils around cabinets and kitchen surfaces. The aroma will spread like magic and will serve to deter cockroaches.
Vinegar and Hot Water
To keep cockroaches away, all you need is vinegar and hot water. This hack is as easy as mixing one potion of white vinegar with some hot water. Stir the solution well and then use it to wipe cooktops, kitchen slabs, and the floor. You can also pour this mixture into the kitchen drains at night. In addition to disinfecting the drains and pipes, this will prevent cockroaches from climbing the pipes to come into your kitchen.
Cucumbers
Do you love the smell and essence of cucumbers? Well, cockroaches cannot stand it! They detest the aroma of this hydrating and delicious vegetable. Keep a few slices of cucumber on your kitchen counter, and the roaches won’t come near your kitchen.
Neem Extracts
When it comes to pest control, neem is a miraculous natural ingredient. From neem oil to leaves of the neem plant, they can work wonderfully to help get rid of cockroaches. It’s very easy too.
All you have to do is keep some neem leaves in the kitchen. Cockroaches will leave the kitchen in only three days. If you want to take extra measures and control cockroach breeding in the kitchen altogether, a more effective neem treatment is a mixture of neem oil and hot water.
Cinnamon
The strong essence of cinnamon makes it an excellent cockroach deterrent. Sprinkle some fresh cinnamon powder on the kitchen cabinets and surfaces, and cockroaches will soon stop breeding in your kitchen, thanks to the strong cinnamon flavour.
Final Takeaway
If you see cockroaches dashing across your floors and walls, you can be certain there are many more. Also, be warned, as these creepy crawlies breed very quickly. Act swiftly and devise a plan to combat the cockroach infestation.
Thankfully, most cockroach infestations can be handled easily. You can use a range of common household ingredients such as baking soda, boric acid, cucumbers, neem and cinnamon.
If all your DIY efforts fail, you can seek help from professional pest control companies. They will be able to give you back a cockroach-free kitchen and also help you adopt some preventive measures against future infestations.
