21 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Cockroaches

It can be very frustrating to find cockroaches inside your home. They may be in your kitchen, bathroom, or other areas.

Roaches also give off an unpleasant odor.

These common pests can be challenging to get rid of. However, many home remedies and natural methods can help control them.

How to Get Rid of Cockroaches Naturally

Use these natural remedies, items, and good cleaning habits to help keep roaches at bay. However, always use caution when applying home remedies around pets and children.

1. Baking Soda and Sugar

A homemade concoction of baking soda and sugar can kill cockroaches. Moreover, you may already have these ingredients at home.

To make a homemade cockroach killer using baking soda, combine sugar and baking soda (50:50) in a shallow bowl. Next, place the bowl near cockroach-infested areas.

The roaches will likely come out of hiding and eat the bait. If they consume enough of the mixture, the baking soda may help to kill them over time.

You can also get rid of roaches coming up the drain by pouring half a cup of baking soda down there. This may help clean drains and reduce odors that attract cockroaches.

Follow up by pouring half a cup of vinegar immediately afterward, then cover the drain for about 5 minutes. Finally, pour a pot full of boiling water down the drain.

2. Borax and Sugar

Another excellent home remedy to rid your home of roaches is a mixture of borax powder and sugar. Once the roaches consume it, they will eventually die.

Therefore, mix a 50-50 ratio of borax powder and white sugar and spread it in the corners of your apartment.

Alternatively, you can make a homemade borax spray for roaches. Mix 2 tablespoons of borax, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and 2 cups of hot water for the spray recipe.

Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and apply it to the affected areas of the house. After spraying, allow the solution to dry so that roaches can come into contact with the residue.

The roaches won’t die instantly or overnight, but you should start seeing results in a week or two. This remedy works great on palmetto bugs.

Keep borax out of reach of pets and children.

3. Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is deadly to many insect pests. When sprinkled onto roaches’ exoskeletons, DE causes dehydration, leading to death.

Ingesting DE will also have a deadly impact. However, it works better when it comes directly into contact with their bodies.

Sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth in areas where cockroaches frequently crawl. This safe and natural product is available at most garden stores and online.

4. Essential Oils

Some essential oils may temporarily deter cockroaches. Peppermint, eucalyptus, cedar, tea tree, and oregano oils are good options.

Rosemary oil has shown insecticidal effects against cockroaches in some studies [1].

To make a DIY essential oil roach spray, combine 10-15 drops of rosemary, peppermint, or another of the above oils with water in a spray bottle.

Shake well and spray directly onto the critters and in places where they usually hide.

However, use caution when using these oils. Tea tree and oregano oils can be toxic to pets [2].

5. Clean Up

The best way to keep roaches away naturally is to clean up food preparation and dining areas. Also, sweep away crumbs and vacuum more often than usual.

Thoroughly wipe floors, sinks, and surfaces. This approach will significantly help deter roaches. Keep all food covered or sealed, and regularly clear out the trash can.

6. Boric Acid

This product is one of the best home remedies for a heavy roach infestation. However, it should be kept out of reach of pets and children.

To kill roaches, sprinkle boric acid in areas where they are likely to crawl. They will try to remove it by cleaning themselves as they crawl through.

Ingesting the powder will kill them.

Oriental and German cockroaches may feed on dead roaches [3]. As a result, poisoned roaches may indirectly affect others.

You can also sprinkle it on roach eggs. Though it will not affect the eggs, it will kill the baby cockroaches (nymphs) that hatch.

Boric acid is a homemade roach killer that works if applied correctly.

7. Seal Cracks and Holes

Seal cracks around doors, windows, and vents to prevent roaches from entering the house.

Check the attic and roof as well. Window screens and screen doors will also help keep them out.

8. Neem

Neem oil is a natural insecticide that may help kill young roaches and inhibit adult egg-laying [4].

9. Use Your Shoe

Although unpleasant, smashing a cockroach with a shoe is one of the fastest ways to eliminate it. Afterward, clean away the remains to avoid attracting other insects.

10. Fix Water Leaks

Cockroaches need water to survive. These pests also like to hide and breed in moist places.

Leaks from faucets or broken pipes, particularly under bathroom and kitchen sinks, could be the reason for your roach problem.

Therefore, seal or mend leaking pipes as quickly as possible.

11. Bay Leaves

Another natural cockroach repellent is bay leaves.

If you have access to a bay laurel tree, pick and crush a few leaves and place them around the home where cockroaches appear. The strong scent may help repel them.

12. Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum jelly can be used to make a sticky trap for roaches. Find an old jar and smear the inside with the jelly.

Next, put some crumbs or food scraps in the jar. The critters will climb in for the treat, but won’t be able to climb out.

Alternatively, spread petroleum jelly on cardboard and sprinkle sugar on it. Place the cardboard in the pests’ hiding spots.

13. Vinegar

White vinegar can help reduce food odors and clean surfaces, making the area less attractive to roaches. Spritz it around the infested areas.

14. Catnip

Catnip is a powerful repellent plant that keeps many pests away. It contains a compound that repels roaches.

Boil water, add the catnip, and steep for about 10 minutes. Finally, allow it to cool, then spray it onto surfaces, crevices, and cracks.

15. Pyrethrins

These compounds are naturally found in some chrysanthemum flowers. When appropriately applied, they paralyze the nervous systems of roaches and other insect pests.

While you can make a DIY cockroach killer by grinding up the dried flower heads, it is best to buy a pyrethrin-based insecticide. Follow label instructions carefully, especially around pets, children, and aquatic animals.

16. Sticky Traps

Sticky traps are a simple way to catch and monitor cockroaches naturally.

Place the traps along walls, behind appliances, under sinks, and near other areas where roaches are active. Cockroaches usually travel along edges and corners, making these spots ideal for trapping them.

You can buy ready-made sticky traps or make your own by applying a sticky substance, such as petroleum jelly, onto cardboard and placing a small food bait in the center.

While sticky traps will not eliminate a major infestation on their own, they can help reduce roach numbers and show where the problem is worst.

17. Lemon Juice

The smell of lemons and other citrus fruits is a natural repellent against cockroaches and other pests.

So, spray approximately half a cup of lemon juice and two cups of water. Use it wherever there are signs of cockroaches.

18. Let Your Cat Help

If you already own a cat, it may occasionally help hunt roaches.

19. Soapy Water

It is a good idea to keep a spray bottle with soapy water around to spray any roaches that crawl out of hiding.

The solution kills cockroaches shortly after, as the soap creates a film that prevents them from breathing properly.

20. Orange Guard

This product is OMRI-listed as an organic insecticide for cockroach control. It kills on contact.

Orange Guard is also effective against a wide range of other insect pests.

21. Avenger Roach Tablets

You can also use Avenger Roach Tablets, which contain 40% boric acid, to kill cockroaches by placing the tablets where they like to hide.

They will feed on the tablets. When ingested, boric acid damages the insect’s digestive system and eventually kills it.

How to Prevent Cockroaches Naturally:

• Store food in sealed containers
• Empty garbage regularly
• Reduce clutter
• Repair leaks
• Seal entry points
• Vacuum frequently

When to Call an Exterminator?

If the infestation becomes severe or keeps returning despite repeated treatment, professional pest control may be necessary.

Takeaway

No matter how clean the house is, cockroaches sometimes appear out of nowhere. Besides, if you notice baby roaches in the kitchen or bathroom, there’s a good chance you are dealing with a German cockroach infestation.

Fortunately, there are several natural ways to get rid of cockroaches and help prevent them from returning. Try them out to see which one works best for you!