Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Better Life

The 7 best way to get rid of cockroaches

How to kill the critters and preventing their return. - by Lauren Williamson
  • 12 Mar 2021
The 7 best way to get rid of cockroaches
Getty Images

It's almost an Australian rite of passage to experience the pure horror of having a cockroach skittering across your floorboards or, worse yet, flying directly at you. And they're not just unsightly, cockroaches can carry harmful pathogens and their presence can exacerbate allergies and asthma. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to kill cockroaches and prevent them from coming back.

Here are the best ways to get rid of cockroaches. 

What are cockroaches

While there are approximately 4,000 species of cockroaches around the world with 450 of those found in Australia, only very few of them are pests. Phew. The types you'll most commonly creeping the bejesus out of you are the German cockroach (small and light brown), the Australian cockroach (large, brown with yellow streaks near its wings) and the American cockroach (large and reddish-brown).

What attracts cockroaches

Understanding why cockroaches are infesting your home is essential for removing them, and preventing their return in the future. Cockroaches are attracted to easily accessible food sources whether it’s human food, pet food or even cardboard, glue and soap. Don’t leave food, dirty dishes and plates around, clean under appliances regularly and ensure your garbage bin is well covered and removed regularly. Try to keep pet food dishes clear and clean overnight. Cockroaches also love warm and humid environments, which is why they’re attracted to kitchens and bathrooms. Check around sinks and drains for leaks.

How to get rid of cockroaches

While it might be an urban legend that cockroaches could survive a nuclear holocaust, they are an incredibly hardy creature. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to get kill cockroaches once they’ve made themselves at home.

how to kill cockroach
Getty Images

How to get rid of cockroaches

1. Cockroach baits and traps

Cockroach traps and baits are an easy and effective way to kill cockroaches once they’ve entered your home, working for up to three months. They attract cockroaches, killing the critters and their eggs with a single feed from the bait, breaking the breeding cycle. When they return to the nest and die, they will also contaminate other cockroaches and their eggs. They’re best placed around hot water systems and under fridges, bathroom cabinets and washing machines. The benefit of cockroach baits is that there’s no fumes or mess involved, working away out of sight and out of mind. Keep in mind that while the baits don’t release any harmful chemicals, they can be hazardous if your pet chews them.

2. Cockroach bomb

If you can’t figure out where the infestation or track down the nest, bug bobs can be useful. Some also use them as a preventive measure when moving into a new home. Using a cockroach bomb requires a bit more work and it’s important to read the instructions. You will need to leave the area for two hours while it works, then open windows and doors to ventilate the space for 30 minutes before switching the electricity back on. Cockroach bombs also leave residue for up to three months so they’re not ideal for people who are sensitive to chemicals and fragrances. Children’s toys should also be covered or removed.

3. Cockroach spray

The benefit of using a cockroach spray is that it is fast acting, stopping individual roaches in their tracks. Some surface sprays can also provide a protective barrier, killing insects for months afterwards.

4. Cockroach repellent

There are a number of sprays and sands you can use around the entry points of your home to repel cockroaches.

cockroach
Getty Images

DIY remedies to get rid of cockroaches 

There are a number of natural cockroach deterrents and killers that you can make from ingredients you have in the pantry.

1. Baking soda and sugar

Baking soda is probably the most versatile ingredient in the cooking and cleaning world, and now it can add “cockroach killer” to its extensive resume. Make a mixture that is 50 percent baking soda and 50 percent sugar, honey or something similarly sweet and enticing. Leave it in a pot where you suspect cockroaches live and breed. The baking soda will kill the roaches and it’s safe to use around pets and children.

2. Borax and sugar

A mixture of three parts borax to one part sugar works similar to commercial cockroach killers as it dehydrates their exoskeleton. This combination works more quickly than using baking soda and it’s also inexpensive, fume-free and environmentally friendly. Although it is a natural option, you should keep this mixture away from kids and pets.

3. Essential oils

Some people swear by essential oils as a natural, chemical-free way to prevent and kill cockroaches. Add cypress, tea tree, citronella and/or peppermint to a spray bottle of water and use directly on roaches or around nests and the entry points of your home.

You might also like:

How to get rid of pests in your kitchen

How to make the strongest natural bug repellents

How to get rid of ants

  • Better Life
  • Cleaning
Lauren Williamson
Lauren Williamson
Lauren Williamson is a digital writer, editor and social media fiend who's a huge fan of tackling new wellness trends, eating her way through foreign countries and getting worked up over politics.

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

How to get rid of ants

How to get rid of ants

How to get rid of pests in your kitchen

How to get rid of pests in your kitchen

The best robot vacuums and mops to keep your floors looking spotless

The best robot vacuums and mops to keep your floors looking spotless

10 of the best eco-friendly cleaning products that’ll leave your home sparkling clean

10 of the best eco-friendly cleaning products that’ll leave your home sparkling clean

{headline}

{headline}

How to make your own eco cleaning products

How to make your own eco cleaning products

The best mould removal products

The best mould removal products

The best cordless stick vacuums that you need on your radar right now

The best cordless stick vacuums that you need on your radar right now

{headline}

{headline}

11 of the best mops for tiles, laminate and wooden floors

11 of the best mops for tiles, laminate and wooden floors

Clean window and sliding door tracks with this 2-minute hack

Clean window and sliding door tracks with this 2-minute hack

How often should you wash a mattress protector?

How often should you wash a mattress protector?

How to clean up Christmas tree needles

How to clean up Christmas tree needles

How to clean rust off steel

How to clean rust off steel

Cleaning vinegar: using vinegar to clean your home

Cleaning vinegar: using vinegar to clean your home

How to clean your stove top grates

How to clean your stove top grates

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Shop This Offer
Treat yourself to a subscription