Cockroach sighting in Dubai is not uncommon. Once in a while, you will come across incidents where cockroaches were found in a hotel room or a butchery, leading to its closure. Take, for example, this news article from Aug’2016. Two restaurants under the Taj Mahal Group were fined and temporarily closed by Dubai Municipality after a diner found a cockroach in the meal. Three main types of cockroaches have been found here- German, American, and brown-banded.
Understandably, the warm climate provides ideal growth conditions for these obnoxious pests. Having a ready list of remedies for cockroaches will help to counter the persistent pests and save us from the threat to hygiene and health. Thankfully, there are effective remedies that can help you reclaim your space without resorting to harsh chemicals. Here are the top 10 remedies for cockroaches you can try at home.
1. Using boric acid as a safe remedy for cockroaches
It’s a highly effective remedy for cockroaches. Boric acid is a tried-and-tested solution for cockroach infestations. What makes it so effective? The toxicity of the acid (you can consider it a poison for the cockroaches) targets their digestive and nervous systems. Also, it’s not just about one cockroach coming in contact with the acid and dying; the boric acid can cling to the legs and antennae of the creature and get carried all the way to the colony, decimating the entire structure.
Are you curious to know how it works? Cokroaches are known consumers. When they eat anything with boric acid mixed in it, they ingest it. Once inside their digestive system, the acid acts as a desiccant, leading to severe dehydration and eventual death.
How to apply?
Mix 1 part boric acid with 1 part sugar to prepare the bait. Sugar attracts cockroaches. You can also use peanut butter or dissolve boric acid in warm water and soak cotton balls or cloth pieces in the solution. You can also sprinkle it lightly. All of these should work.
Where have you seen increased cockroach activity? Most probably, the sink, cabinet, sofa corners, mattresses, or crevices. Put the preparation in these spots. Take care not to put a lot of it, as it may alert the pest, and they can avoid it.
Using gloves and a mask during application is best to avoid inhalation or skin contact. Keep away from pets and kids. Results may take time, but it is the safest way to get rid of cockroaches if you do not want to use heavy chemicals.
*The caveat – It does not kill cockroach eggs, so you will have to repeat the process to get the desired results.
2. Baking soda and sugar Mixture
Next on our list of remedies for cockroaches is baking powder, another commodity commonly found in most homes. The catch is that cockroaches are not naturally drawn to baking powder, so it must be mixed with sugar granules (1 tbsp each). Once the pest takes it in, the acid reacts with the powder to produce carbon dioxide, killing the cockroach over time. It may typically take some hours before you find them dead, so wait patiently.
3. Essential oils as cockroach repellent
Looking for a natural remedy for cockroaches? There’s an effective way to solve the problem without having to tolerate pungent chemical odors or fumes. There’s an easy way. Essential oils are known to repel a variety of pests. What is a scent for us is an unlikable odor for cockroaches.
There’s plenty of choice, too. You can use peppermint, oregano, rosemarry, tea-tree and lavender. In some cases, like peppermint, the cockroaches’ sensory receptors are affected, while rosemary oil also acts as a pesticide. Eucalyptus and tea tree oil act as natural repellents.
How to prepare it? It’s super easy! Just add 10-15 drops of your chosen essential oil (peppermint, tea tree, rosemary, or lavender) to one cup of water. Allow it to mix well, and then transfer the contents to a spray bottle. Your mixture is ready. Spray it over hotspots and common places where these pests are often sighted.
4. Food-grade diatomaceous earth
Food-grade diatomaceous earth, or DE, is a non-toxic powder that is an excellent remedy for cockroaches and has proven benefits in cockroach control. DE is made of fossilized algae, which we know is natural, and has tiny, sharp particles. These sharp particles pierce the insects and dehydrate them.
For best results, make sure the chosen area is dry. Sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth in areas where cockroaches are active, such as entry points, crevices, and under sinks.
You may have to reapply it depending on the nature of the problem. Please keep in mind that if DE is disturbed or becomes wet, it is of no use. Also, since we are not using sugar or any other food as in previous cases, it may take time (days to weeks) for cockroaches to discover and interact with DE and become affected. Monitor regularly.
5. Homemade cockroach traps
It may require a bit of labor, but it will save you time and money before you call your pest controller. Create DIY traps using simple household items. These are advised in areas where cockroaches have just appeared or exist in small numbers. You can create your trap using readily available materials in the home.
For example, a simple glass jar trap can be made by applying petroleum jelly at the rim and placing sugar or sweet edibles to attract cockroaches. Similar trap can be made using duct tape and peanut butter. Make sure you’re using some adhesive or slippery substance to keep cockroaches from crawling back out of the trap. The setup can be placed overnight in an activity area.
6. Neem oil or neem powder
It’s an effective remedy for cockroaches. Neem, as we know, has a bitter taste. Neem oil and neem powder, which can be easily ordered online or found on shelves, are natural remedies known for their pest-repellent properties.
Chemically, neem oil contains a compound called azadirachtin, and it’s widely effective because compared to other natural repellents like essential oils that only repel cockroaches, neem oil can disrupt the life cycle of cockroaches and reduce their population over time.
Mix neem oil with water (ratio is 1-2 tablespoons of neem oil per quart of water) and spray it in infested areas, or sprinkle neem powder where cockroaches are likely to hide. You must reapply it every 1-2 weeks, as exposure to light and air reduces effectiveness.
7. Spraying ammonia solution
We are listing it here because it is one of the options when we think of remedies for cockroaches. However, it should be mentioned that it is not very popular and should be considered a temporary solution.
Also, due to its corrosive nature, ammonia can corrode surfaces like tiles or wooden surfaces where it may be applied. So, when spraying for cockroaches, exercise caution and wear gloves and a mask.
If you’re using ammonia to flush out cockroaches, mix one part of ammonia with one part of water. Ammonia effectively disrupts cockroaches’ pathways, and its pungent odor repels them.
8. Cucumber slices as a temporary cockroach deterrent
Cucumbers find utility beyond your table salad. We know you might not expect this on the list, but cucumbers are a proven home remedy for cockroaches. Cucumbers are part of home dining culture; you can try them to see if they work. Studies have shown that when sliced, cut, or crushed, cucumbers release an odor that deters cockroaches.
The creature dislikes the scent of cucumber. Place fresh cucumber slices near entry points or infested areas for a temporary, natural deterrent. Replace the slices regularly to maintain effectiveness.
9. Lemon water sprays
Another effective low-cost natural remedy for cockroaches is lemon juice, which contains citric acid and limonene. The roaches dislike it. Lemon’s acidic properties and strong scent are natural repellents and inhibit sensory capabilities, masking food odors that attract them.
Prepare your solution by extracting lemon juice from freshly cut lemon into equal parts of water and then transferring the mixture into a spray bottle. This not only deters cockroaches but also leaves your home smelling fresh. All these types of sprays act as useful cockroach repellent.
10. Crack sealing
Unattended cracks and fractures in walls, floor, and sink areas invite cockroaches. Lack of cleanliness and hygiene adds to the problem and may aggravate it. It is advisable to contact the house audit every 6 months to assess the health condition of the home.
We highly recommend it after the monsoon or during heavy rainfall, just like the one we had in April last year. Prevention is always better than cure. Seal cracks and crevices in walls, floors, and cabinets to deny cockroaches entry and hiding spots. This simple measure can significantly reduce their presence in your home.
When should you call professional cockroach exterminators?
The tips we shared as remedies for cockroach elimination are no doubt effective, but they also suffer from one limitation. It will be helpful only when you are dealing with a low-intensity infestation or looking for control of cockroaches in a limited area. Severe infestation needs precision-based, quick treatment.
To prevent the situation from spiraling out of control and avoid mental exhaustion, you should not hesitate or think twice before calling professional pest controllers at your home. A trusted pest control company in Dubai can provide targeted solutions, ensuring long-lasting results. At Supreme PCS, we have the people, technology, and proven capabilities to counter any pest situation.
Conclusion
We have shared the most popular and effective methods for cockroach control. You can launch these remedies for cockroaches sitting within your homes to flush out pesky intruders without getting overwhelmed.
By employing these remedies and staying vigilant, you can maintain a pest-free home. However, when DIY solutions fall short, don’t hesitate to call cockroach exterminators for professional assistance.