There is a belief that cockroaches can survive anything, even nuclear warfare. So don’t fret if those pesky bugs won’t seem to go away.  Sometimes a natural approach is the best way to get rid of these stubborn pests. Try these home remedies for killing roaches.

Mix Sugar and Baking Soda

This method is cheap, simple, and cost effective. Stir together ½ cup of sugar and ½ cup baking soda. Place dabs of the mixture in strategic spots like behind or beneath appliances, in closets, or near wastebaskets. Roaches are attracted to the sugar, and ingest the mixture. The baking soda gives them gas and ultimately kills them. This mixture can make pets sick, so make sure to place the mixture in places they can’t reach. Pill bottles wedged horizontally into tight spots and plates underneath furniture work well to keep things tidy.

Boric Acid

Boric acid is a chemical compound that is very effective in removing roaches. Treat areas under cabinets, behind appliances, and anywhere else where roaches walk. The boric acid will kill the insect through ingestion or contact with their exoskeleton. You can purchase the compound at most home goods stores. Be sure that the boric acid is hidden out of reach of children and pets.

Roach Ball Recipe

This recipe takes the boric acid solution to the next level.

Mix:

1 cup borax

¼ cup granulated sugar

¼ cup chopped onion

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 tablespoon water

Mix the ingredients into a paste and roll the paste into little balls. Place two or three balls into a sandwich –size plastic bag and leave the bag open. Then place the bag anywhere you have a roach problem. The roaches will eat the balls and carry them away. They will die out of sight, other roaches will eat the carcass, ingest the poison, and so on. This recipe makes about 50 balls for 10 applications. Make sure to hide the bags carefully so that they are out of reach of children and pets.

Get a Gecko

This idea may seem a little wacky, but it has proven to work. Purchase a gecko at a local pet store and let it loose in the house. Geckos naturally eat roaches and will get rid of the problem pretty quickly. Once the roach population dwindles, the gecko will start to hang out in the open. When the roaches are gone, keep your new pet in an appropriate tank and feed them crickets daily.

If you need professional help, TalkLocal will connect you to up to three reliable pest control professionals in you area  in minutes!

This entry was originally posted on Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013 at 2:00 pm and is filed under Pest Control. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.