Looking for pest control? Check out these home remedies to get rid of cockroaches naturally

Pests like cockroaches are not only quick to take over the house but also very hard to kill, don't you all agree? So, to get rid of cockroaches, professional exterminators use extremely strong chemicals. But most of these store-bought cockroach remedies and preventive products are hazardous to our health and expensive too. As a result, home remedies to get rid of cockroaches are much sought after by everyone.

"Cockroaches are among the most common pests infesting homes, apartments, food processing units and storage facilities. Since cockroaches flourish in areas where food, moisture and shelter are readily available, good sanitation is an important step in preventing and controlling them. Habits like removing food waste, not leaving unwashed dishes or utensils overnight, and good storage practices go a long way in preventing cockroach infestations." says Zakir Hussain, General Manager,  Technical Training, at Rentokil PCI.
There are many home remedies to kill cockroaches. You can easily prepare them at home to kill these disease-carriers that are responsible for causing infections, food poisoning, allergy, and respiratory problems. Let's look at a few.

Home remedies for cockroach removal

1. Peanut butter trap

This natural remedy for cockroaches is a trap that is easy to make. You'll have to kill the cockroaches later, though.

What you need:

• Long glass jar - 1
• Petroleum jelly
• Peanut butter - 3 tablespoons

Preparation tips

• Put the peanut butter at the bottom of the jar.
• Apply a generous amount of petroleum jelly on the inner wall of the jar.
• The smell of the peanut butter will lure the cockroaches into the jar. However, once inside the jar, they wouldn't be able to climb the slippery wall and get out.

You can place this trap in any part of your house.

2. Silica aerogel

If you're looking for ways to kill cockroaches naturally, this home remedy works the best because of the high levels of humidity in our country. The cockroaches come to eat the sugar and swallow the silica aerogel involuntarily. Once swallowed, the silica aerogel quickly absorbs moisture from the cockroach's body and kills it.
What you need:

• Silica aerogel - 3 tablespoons
• Sugar - 1 tablespoon

Preparation tips

• Mix the ingredients and sprinkle them in cockroach-infested areas.

As a precaution, place this mixture only in places where children and pets cannot reach, as it is poisonous.

3. Garlic in cups

This is one smelly but reliable natural cockroach deterrent. However, it's also cost-effective and easy to get in place.

What you need:

• Paper cups
• Garlic-pods (crushed in their peels)

Preparation tips

• Put a spoonful of the crushed garlic in each paper cup.
• Place the cups where you often see cockroaches roaming. However, the smell of garlic can be overpowering. So, you may use these only in the kitchen, storage area or the garden.

4. Cream of tartar (potassium bitartrate)

If you're looking for a remedy to repel cockroaches naturally, that is non-messy and smell-free, look no further than among your baking ingredients. The cream of tartar repels cockroaches.

What you need:

• Cream of tartar - 2 tablespoon
• Chilli powder (optional)
• White cement (optional)
• Water

Preparation tips

• Mix cream of tartar and water to make a paste. You can also mix water, cream of tartar and chili powder, or cream of tartar, chili powder and white cement.
• Fill this paste into cracks and gaps where cockroaches creep out from and go to hide in.

5. Coffee grounds

This cockroach control home remedy is the best because it also doubles as a deodorizer! Plus, you'll be using something that you'd otherwise throw away. The smell of the coffee grounds would keep cockroaches at bay.

What you need

• Paper cups
• Used coffee grounds

Preparation tips

• Put the coffee grounds in the paper cups.
• Place the cups in the corners of rooms, cupboards, lofts and storage areas. You can use this cockroach repellent anywhere in the house.

6. Catnip and mint

Potted plants are among the many home remedies to get rid of cockroaches. The fragrance of catnip (karpooravalli) and mint (pudina) are known to naturally repel cockroaches. Plus, the fragrances also help purify the air.

What you need

• Small potted catnip and mint plants to keep indoors
• Larger plants for outdoor areas; you can either plant them in the garden or use potted plants

Preparation tips

• There isn't much preparation required for this remedy. Visit a nearby nursery and select the right size of pots and plants to suit your home and garden.
• Be sure to place one in the kitchen. Place a few in your kitchen garden and near the doors and windows. The plants will also spice up your interior decor.

7. Borax

Borax is an odorless cockroach killer. This is a home remedy that is non-messy but is unsafe. So, it must be kept out of the reach of children and pets.

What you need

• Borax - 3 tablespoons
• Sugar - 1 tablespoon

Preparation tips

• Mix the two ingredients together and sprinkle it around the house, preferably before going to bed at night. Sweep away the dead cockroaches and the sprinkled powder the next morning.

The mixture can be used anywhere in the house, as long as you use it carefully and sweep it away thoroughly.

8. Natural wardrobe sachets and potpourri

This time-tested home remedy to get rid of cockroaches will prevent cockroach infestation. It also serves to freshen up the linen in your closets.

What you need

• Dried lemon peels
• Bay and kaffir leaves
• Sachets, envelopes or paper cups

Preparation tips

• Fill the sachets, envelopes or paper cups with the individual ingredients or a mixture of the same.
• Place these in the far reaches of kitchen cabinets, cupboards, shelves and shoe racks. This remedy is nontoxic and the smell it gives off is very pleasant.

9. DIY sprays

Cockroach removal home remedies are never complete without DIY sprays. They can be sprayed directly on cockroaches to chase them away and even kill them.

What you need

• Soapy water - half cup
• Neem oil - 4 tablespoons
• Fabric softener - half cup
• Mouthwash - half cup
• Essential oil (peppermint or lavender or eucalyptus or tea tree) - 30 drops
• Water - half cup
• Rubbing alcohol - 1 tablespoon

Preparation tips

• Mix the ingredients and pour them into a spray bottle. Spray the solution on a cockroach or in places where they are usually found.

This natural cockroach control home remedy can be used anywhere in the house, at any time and any number of times.

10. Ammonia water

Use the ingredients mentioned below to flush the drains and get rid of cockroaches. Ammonia water has a strong smell and is poisonous. So, be careful when you use it.

What you need

• Ammonia - 1 cup
• Water - 1 cup

Preparation tips

• Mix the ingredients and pour the solution down the kitchen and bathroom drain which are the main entry-points of cockroaches. The solution will deter cockroaches from taking refuge in the drain and moving into the house.

Of course, the best way to keep cockroaches out of your home is to keep your house clean. Dispose of garbage properly, avoid accumulating trash, wash your dishes every night, remove dampness, keep food covered and clean the bathrooms regularly. In the odd case that cockroaches still manage to crawl in, use the above-mentioned home remedies for cockroach-free days ahead!