The Best Ways to Get Rid of Cockroaches in Your Home

Quickly stop roaches and keep them from coming back with these expert pest control tips

Written by Kevin Carrillo | Edited by Hunter Rising

Last Updated: January 27, 2023 References Approved

Did you turn on your kitchen light and catch sight of some roaches skittering away? Even if you manage to squish a few, there may be more you haven’t seen yet. The thought of cockroaches hiding in your home may be unpleasant, but you can easily get control over these pests before they start to spread. Keep reading, and we’ll walk you through how to trap, kill, and prevent those pesky roaches from growing into an infestation.

This article is based on an interview with our MMPC-certified pest control specialist, Kevin Carrillo. Check out the full interview here.

Things You Should Know

Put adhesive traps in cabinets, under large appliances, and in the corners of a room to stop cockroaches in their tracks.
Leave out bait traps so roaches bring pesticides back to the nest to kill the entire infestation.
Spray roaches with insecticide or a concentrated liquid roach killer to kill them on contact and deter them from the area.
Try dusting diatomaceous earth or boric acid along cracks and crevices to use them as natural pesticide powders.

1

Set out adhesive traps.

Cockroaches will get stuck as soon as they go in the adhesive traps. Set the traps wherever you’ve seen cockroaches, such as in your cabinets, under your sinks, or along the baseboards near entryways.^{[1]
X
Expert Source

Kevin Carrillo
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 22 October 2019.} Put the traps in each corner of the room and leave them out for 2–3 days before replacing them.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- In a pinch, make your own sticky traps by wrapping a piece of cardboard in duct tape so the adhesive is facing out.
- Keep track of how many cockroaches you catch on each trap so you can see what areas in your home have the biggest pest problems.

2

Kill roaches on contact with insecticide spray.

Get rid of roaches you see with a quick spritz of insecticide. Use a spray specifically labeled for roaches since it will be the most effective. Whenever you see a roach, take out the insecticide and spray it directly on the bug to kill it. Apply the spray on cracks and crevices and along baseboards so any roach that walks through the area gets coated in the insecticide and dies.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Follow all safety instructions on the product's label since they may vary between brands.
- If you don’t have any spray on hand, try misting the cockroaches with rubbing alcohol to kill them.^{[4]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Kevin Carrillo
  MMPC, Pest Control Specialist
  Expert Interview. 22 October 2019.}
- Since insecticides use chemicals, keep pets and children away from the areas you’ve treated.
EXPERT TIP

Hussam Bin Break
Pest Control Professional
Hussam Bin Break is a Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator and Operations Manager. He and his brother Hussam co-founded Diagno Pest Control in the greater Philadelphia area in 2018, and have since expanded their services to include the New Jersey market. Diagno Pest Control has received Home Advisor's Top Rated and Elite Service Badges for quality of work and customer service.

Hussam Bin Break
Pest Control Professional

Our Expert Agrees: Repellants have a greater rate of success and can either eliminate the cockroaches or significantly decrease their presence. Use a heavy-duty method like chemical repellant instead of home remedies.

3

Leave bait stations in problem areas.

The food in bait stations contains pesticides that slowly kill roaches. Place the bait in an area where you know cockroaches will encounter it, such as along baseboards, under the sink, and in corners.^{[5]
X
Expert Source

Kevin Carrillo
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 22 October 2019.} When the roaches eat the poisoned bait, they’ll bring it back to the nest to help get rid of the infestation.^{[6]
X
Trustworthy Source
EDIS
Electronic database of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences's peer-reviewed articles
Go to source}
- Bait stations may take several weeks to kill all of the cockroaches since their eggs could hatch after you get rid of them.
- Alternatively, look for gel baits that you can apply under the lip of your counter or hinges of your cabinets.^{[7]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Kevin Carrillo
  Pest Control Specialist
  Expert Interview. 22 October 2019.}

4

Apply liquid concentrate pesticide near entry points.

Using liquid roach killer helps you control the toughest infestations. Follow the exact mixing instructions on the pesticide to dilute it properly since they may vary between brands. Once it’s mixed, use an aerosol sprayer or a mop to apply a thin layer onto the surfaces where you’ve seen the most roaches.^{[8]
X
Research source} Focus on cracks or crevices around your cabinets, spaces under large appliances, and the edges of your basement.^{[9]
X
Expert Source

Hussam Bin Break
Pest Control Professional
Expert Interview. 28 June 2019.}
- Keep pets and children away from any areas where you apply pesticides since they can be toxic.
- Concentrates can be particularly effective at preventing reinfestation since they usually deter roaches for 1-2 weeks or more.

5

Dust diatomaceous earth into crevices.

Cockroaches get dehydrated when they walk through diatomaceous earth. Use a bulb syringe to spread the diatomaceous earth. Apply a thin layer that’s barely visible around cracks and crevices so cockroaches have to walk through it. Try spreading it in other places too, such as underneath your sinks, along baseboards, and inside cabinets.^{[10]
X
Trustworthy Source
Virginia Cooperation Extension
Publications and Educational resources from Virginia Tech and Virginia State University
Go to source}
- Keep diatomaceous earth away from pets and other people since prolonged exposure could cause lung irritation.^{[11]
  X
  Research source}

6

Repel roaches with essential oils.

Certain essential oils are toxic to cockroaches. Look for thyme oil, clove bud oil, or citronella oil since they’re the most effective at getting rid of young cockroaches. Spray the essential oil directly on the cockroaches when you see them. Otherwise, just spread the oil around the baseboards where you’ve seen cockroaches most frequently to keep them away.^{[12]
X
Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source}
- Reapply essential oils once a week so they stay effective against roaches.

7

Sprinkle boric acid in cabinets.

Boric acid causes the roaches in your home to starve. Dust a thin layer of the boric acid powder into the cracks around cabinets and baseboards. Leave the boric acid for about 1 week before vacuuming it up and replacing it.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- To attract more roaches to the boric acid, mix in 1 part powdered sugar or flour. Roaches will be drawn to the food source so they’re more likely to ingest the boric acid.
- Boric acid isn’t highly toxic to humans and pets, but try to use it only where the roaches will get to it to prevent exposure.
- Avoid using boric acid outside since it’s toxic to plants.
- Some people claim to kill roaches with baking soda, or by mixing baking soda and boric acid, but baking soda isn't an effective insecticide.^{[14]
  X
  Research source}

8

Seal cracks and entry points.

Sealing your home keeps roaches from getting inside. Look for cracks and crevices around your windows and doors, and fill them in with caulk. Then, install door sweeps and weatherstripping around any gaps at entryways. Be sure to check your home’s interior and exterior to ensure there aren’t any places roaches could squeeze in.^{[15]
X
Trustworthy Source
National Pesticide Information Center
Organization run by Oregon State University providing objective, science-based information about pests and pesticides
Go to source}

9

Store food in airtight containers.

Cockroaches are drawn to any open food sources in your home. Rather than leaving food out in the open in your kitchen, store it in your fridge or airtight containers. Wipe up any food scraps and crumbs left on your countertops or stove so the roaches don’t come back.^{[16]
X
Trustworthy Source
EDIS
Electronic database of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences's peer-reviewed articles
Go to source}
- If you have a pet, check that their food is sealed and stored too so the roaches don’t get to it.

10

Get rid of standing water and leaks.

Roaches are less likely to stick around if they don’t have water. Search for water leaks in your house under your sinks and near any piping, and fix them as soon as you can. Then, just clean up spills right away so roaches aren’t drawn to the moisture.^{[17]
X
Expert Source

Kevin Carrillo
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 22 October 2019.}
- Avoid overwatering houseplants since roaches can be drawn to the water in the soil.^{[18]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  EDIS
  Electronic database of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences's peer-reviewed articles
  Go to source}

11

Take your trash out regularly.

Cockroaches will gather around full trash cans. Keep your trash in a can with a lid so cockroaches can’t get to the food scraps inside. Try to take out the trash as soon as it’s full, or after a couple of days so it doesn’t spoil or attract any bugs. Tie up the trash bag and toss it in a receptacle that’s sealed and away from your home.^{[19]
X
Research source}
- Avoid storing lots of cardboard boxes near your trash can since they make perfect hiding spots for roaches.

12

Deep clean your home.

Cleaning up thoroughly eliminates food and hiding spots. Take a little bit of time throughout the week to clean up so you can keep the cockroaches away. Start in the kitchen by washing your dishes and putting away leftover food promptly. Sweep your floors to clean up crumbs on your floor, and mop them thoroughly to get rid of any residue that’s built up.^{[20]
X
Trustworthy Source
EDIS
Electronic database of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences's peer-reviewed articles
Go to source}
- Put things away in their proper places rather than leaving clutter since roaches could find new places to hide.

13

Get rid of outdoor clutter.

Debris outside your home may attract roaches from outside. Dispose of any leaf piles, grass clippings, and other yard waste since cockroaches are drawn to them. Trim back the plants around your home’s exterior and keep any piles of firewood a few feet away from the wall so roaches don’t have easy access inside.^{[21]
X
Research source}
- Be sure to clean your gutters and window wells since leaves and other debris could build up.

Expert Q&A
Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow

Question

How do roaches get into your house?

Kevin Carrillo
Pest Control Specialist
Kevin Carrillo is a Pest Control Specialist and the Senior Project Manager for MMPC, a pest control service and certified Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE) based in the New York City area. MMPC is certified by the industry’s leading codes and practices, including the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), QualityPro, GreenPro, and The New York Pest Management Association (NYPMA). MMPC's work has been featured in CNN, NPR, and ABC News.

Kevin Carrillo

Pest Control Specialist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Cockroaches are absolute experts when it comes to hitching a ride into your home. Cockroaches can sneak in from a delivery package, the cardboard cutout for a 6-pack of beer, or airport luggage. Once they're inside, they're there for good and it can be pretty difficult to get rid of them.
Question

Where do cockroaches hide?

Kevin Carrillo
Pest Control Specialist
Kevin Carrillo is a Pest Control Specialist and the Senior Project Manager for MMPC, a pest control service and certified Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE) based in the New York City area. MMPC is certified by the industry’s leading codes and practices, including the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), QualityPro, GreenPro, and The New York Pest Management Association (NYPMA). MMPC's work has been featured in CNN, NPR, and ABC News.

Kevin Carrillo

Pest Control Specialist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Cockroaches like to hide in small openings that are only 1 or 2 millimeters wider than they are. You can find them at the top of cabinets, behind shelfs, in small openings around baseboards, and behind appliances. This is part of why they're a pain to get rid of; it can be hard to find where the cockroach's nest is.
Question

Does cockroach bait actually work?

Kevin Carrillo
Pest Control Specialist
Kevin Carrillo is a Pest Control Specialist and the Senior Project Manager for MMPC, a pest control service and certified Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE) based in the New York City area. MMPC is certified by the industry’s leading codes and practices, including the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), QualityPro, GreenPro, and The New York Pest Management Association (NYPMA). MMPC's work has been featured in CNN, NPR, and ABC News.

Kevin Carrillo

Pest Control Specialist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Yes, the over the counter baits and sprays will kill cockroaches. You can always spray them with rubbing alcohol, too. That will kill them pretty quickly.

Warnings

If you can’t get a handle on a roach infestation on your own, then call a professional exterminator to come get rid of them for you.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0