How Do I Get Rid of Cockroaches and Keep Them from Coming Back?

Cockroaches are infamous for being elusive pests that can be difficult to locate. Roaches are nocturnal and prefer to hide out of sight, which is something they’re incredibly good at due to their speed and size. During the day, they only venture out to feed or mate, which is when they’re usually seen.

Seeing one in daylight is a bad sign that you may have a bigger infestation than you think, meaning you need to call a professional for help. At Springer Professional Home Services, we offer thorough cockroach inspections, treatments, and prevention to keep you and your family safe. 

One of the most dreaded pests of all is the cockroach. If you’ve ever gotten up late at night, flipped a light on, and watched a bunch of them scatter, you know exactly why. Not only are these pests an unpleasant sight to behold, but they can also spread germs and contaminate surfaces. When they infest a home, cockroaches can even trigger allergy symptoms or asthma attacks in sensitive individuals. Needless to say, knowing how to get rid of cockroaches and keep them from coming back is a valuable skill for any homeowner to have. 

The experts at Springer Professional Home Services know how frustrating a roach problem can be — so read on to learn everything you need to know!

Part 1: Getting Rid of Cockroaches

If you’re struggling with a cockroach problem, here are a few tips and FAQs to help you eliminate your unwanted houseguests.

Start by Sealing Possible Entry Points 

Most likely, they came in from outside. So, first things first: seal off all entry points to prevent more cockroaches from entering your home. Examine and repair all weather stripping around your doors. Repair and replace door and window screens, and seal any cracks or holes in your home’s exterior.

Choose the Right Treatment

You can get pesticide treatments made especially for indoor home use. Consider using bait stations, gel baits, or spray treatments throughout your home to eliminate roaches. There are pros and cons to different types of treatment.

Remember that if you decide to use a poisonous option, you’ll need to keep children and pets away from treated areas. Follow all instructions on the label carefully.

• Bait Stations – Bait stations are easy to use and you can place them in high-traffic areas. They contain a slow-acting poison that roaches carry back to their nest. The downsides are that it may take time to start working and that some roaches may develop a resistance to the active ingredient over time.
• Gel Baits – Gel baits are highly attractive to roaches and can be applied in cracks and crevices where roaches hide. Similar to bait stations, the active ingredient is a slow-acting poison that’s taken and shared with the rest of the colony. The downsides are that they can be messy, roaches may develop resistance, and they should be used with caution around children and pets.
• Sprays –  Sprays can be used to kill roaches on contact, making them a valuable tool if you can access an infested area. However, sprays can be dangerous to humans and pets if inhaled or ingested. They’re also more of a spot treatment, as roaches cannot share the active ingredient with the rest of the colony.

Do All-Natural Cockroach Treatments Work?

Cockroaches are incredibly resilient. They survive in every climate and temperature range, with limited resources, eating whatever they can scavenge.  As a result, natural treatments tend to have a limited effect. 

People use bay leaves and lemon peels as natural roach repellants because they dislike the smell, or coffee grounds for natural roach traps. We don’t recommend these treatments.

Baking soda or diatomaceous earth are two natural remedies you may want to try that are slightly more effective. That said, these two methods are also unlikely to solve a moderately sized roach infestation.

Can You Use Boric Acid to Control Roaches?

Boric acid is a step up from both diatomaceous earth and baking soda in terms of effectiveness. Boric acid is a useful household pest control staple as it can be used against a variety of other pests too.

If DIY Roach Control Isn’t Working, Consult a Professional

 Sometimes an infestation is too much for you to handle on your own. Whether you’re dealing with a few roaches or a few dozen, your local pest control professionals can help you get them out of your home and keep them out.

Part 2: Keeping Roaches Away

Once you get rid of cockroaches, you want to make sure they don’t come back. Here are some simple things you can do to prevent your next roach infestation before it starts. For more in-depth information, be sure to check out our roach prevention page.

Eliminate Food Sources

There’s one common denominator for almost every cockroach infestation: the availability of food. Roaches have an adaptive diet, so they’ll eat what’s available. Yes, some roaches can even chew through plastic garbage bags to get to what’s inside.

Clean Your Property

If you don’t have a cleaning regimen in place, get into a routine. Try vacuuming on one day of the week, dusting on another, and cleaning bathrooms on yet another day. Tidying up regularly will help reduce your chances of a cockroach infestation.

Eliminate Leaks and Excess Moisture

Just as cockroaches move into areas where food is available, they also need to hydrate. Check for leaky pipes throughout your plumbing system, and if discovered, get them fixed. You may also be accumulating moisture in your basement or crawl space.

Monitor for Activity So You Can Spot Them Early

You can always be on the lookout for signs of cockroaches. Keep an eye out for indications of a cockroach infestation like an unusual smell, droppings, smear marks, or shed skins. If you notice any of these signs, it may indicate the presence of roaches. If you catch the infestation early, it will be much easier to eliminate.

Do Roaches Only Infest Places That Are Dirty?

No, this is a common misconception. If you have a cockroach infestation, it does not necessarily mean your home or business is dirty. Roaches are opportunistic. If they are nearby and happen to find what they need on your property, they will stay there until they’re forced to leave.

We Can Eliminate Roaches and Help You Make Sure They Stay Gone

Sometimes you simply don’t want to deal with it yourself, or you’re tired of dealing with it. You just want the roaches gone. If that’s the case for you, our professional roach control and exclusion services are just what you need.

If you’re fighting an ongoing battle against cockroaches in your Des Moines-area home, contact Springer. Our pest control professionals will work with you to eliminate cockroaches from your home and establish a plan to keep them out.