How to Easily Get Rid of Cockroaches Without Using Foggers

Scientists and homeowners both agree that roaches are one of evolution’s biggest mistakes. Shockingly, these creatures can be traced clear back to the time when dinosaurs roamed the planet. They’re hard to get rid of, especially since they can go for up to one month without food. Add the fact that they multiply with lightning speed, and it’s a recipe for disaster. So, how to get rid of cockroaches without using foggers?

We’re talking about creatures who can even live a week after losing their head. Many roaches can fly too, which makes the battle even more complex, as they can reach speeds of over three miles per hour. During the daytime, you will scarcely see one of these pests. However, wait till the evening, and you could see them wandering around nearly every room of your home.

One of the biggest threats to your home is that the roach carries germs and diseases, so every surface they touch could be contaminated. While you worry about your health and safety, they can also destroy books, clothing, food, and even your electronics. Add the fact that they multiply with lightning speed, and it’s a recipe for disaster.

Things That Draw Cockroaches to Your Home

It is not easy to deal with a cockroach infestation. Cockroaches are resilient, so to fully get rid of cockroaches without using foggers, you have to find the source of the problem. We often find the following things to be the sources which draw them out:

• Food spills
• Unwashed dishes left to sit in sinks and on counters
• Dark, damp areas
• Trash
• Weed overgrowth
• Containers of bacon and other grease left exposed on counters

Never leave food on the counters or the table. If there is a mess after eating, make sure it is cleaned up and that all food is in airtight containers. Also, be sure your trash is covered and taken out regularly. 

Outside, it’s also beneficial to have a covered bin. Simple things like trimming your yard and removing weeds can help. If you have a basement, watch out for water issues since any moisture will attract cockroaches. 

Roach infestations are pretty common, especially for those who live in apartments or condos. If one unit in a complex is a hot spot for bugs, then it can spill over into the other units with little effort.

One important thing to note is that pest control isn’t a one-time and you’re done thing, and this is especially true when dealing with roaches. If your home is within a complex, it will be an ongoing battle. This is why so many pest control companies offer quarterly services to ensure the bugs stay away.

The Case Against Eliminating Roaches with Fogging

Foggers are available at every hardware and department store across the country. So, why are they marketing these products if they’re so dangerous to you or your pets? They can market them because they display a warning informing you that if you use the product, you have to leave your home for up to eight hours.

The biggest issue with these types of pesticides is the neurotoxins they contain. Not only will it kill cockroaches, but it will kill any other insect and maybe even your pet. The real issue is that they have odor neutralizers in them. You can’t smell the poison, which means you might think it’s safe to go back into your home long before it’s okay to enter.

When you pull the pin and run out of your home, you will still ingest some of the chemicals. If you are exposed to too many toxins, it can cause dizziness, nausea, and breathing issues and can even bring on an asthma attack in those who are breathing compromised. Even if you’re careful and follow the directions verbatim, the level of chemical exposure you can get from the surfaces they land on is dangerous.

While most of the issues found with these are respiratory, you can’t forget that these are aerosol propellants, which can explode or cause a fire without warning. The good news is that there are safer options available to take care of your cockroach problem and you can get rid of cockroaches without using foggers.

DIY Ways to Get Rid of Cockroaches Without Using Foggers

Anyone can buy chemicals to try and eliminate cockroaches from a local hardware store. It is best to look for safer options to get rid of cockroaches without using foggers that will not put you, your family, or your pets at risk. Since New Jersey is home to seven types of cockroaches, what works for one roach may not work for the other. The particular insect you fight may respond better to one treatment over another, so you need to play around with these to find the one that works.

Neem

Neem is a strong defense against pests, as it’s often used in holistic treatments. Keep in mind it’s powerful, and you’ll need a mask and a well-ventilated area if you use much of it.

Start by using one tablespoon of neem oil or powder and mix it in a spray bottle with water. Anywhere you see roaches or other bugs, spray the neem mixture. Repeat for as long as you notice any indication of live activity. It’s best to put it out at night, as this is when roaches are most active.

Borax and Sugar

Borax is found in the laundry section of your grocery store and is great for many things. Mixing three parts borax and one part sugar is a way to get rid of cockroaches in your home.

Sprinkle this mixture where you have your most active areas. You can ensure that you will see dead roaches in the morning, but you will need to repeat several days until they’re gone.

Makrut/Kaffir Essential Oil

Makrut is a great way to get rid of cockroaches without using foggers because its leaves have oil within them that’s a fabulous pest killer. Interestingly, studies showed that the repellent made from these leaves is 100 percent effective in killing the German and American varieties of cockroaches. Since these are two of the most common roaches in this state, there’s a good chance this simple method will work if you only have a few cockroaches.

Pour two cups of water into a spray bottle and add about ten drops of the Makrut lime oil. Spray the potent mixture in the areas where you see the most activity. Once you’ve sprayed down everything, dump the rest of the solution out in your sink.

Don’t save this mixture overnight, as it will build pressure in the bottle and is not safe to use again. Make a new solution, if needed, to repeat the process.

Silica Aerogel

When you use silica aerogel, it’s like giving the roaches a water pill. It will cause them to dehydrate and lose too much water to sustain life. They will dry up and die. It’s quite effective and can be used on any variety of roach.

You will need to mix three parts silica with one part sugar. Next, you will take the mixture and sprinkle it where you frequently see cockroaches. It’s important to note that this mixture is toxic for animals, so be sure to keep it out of reach.

Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth has many effective uses. It contains crushed siliceous sedimentary rock that is in a fine powder form. The silica in this mix will puncture the roach’s exoskeleton, and they won’t be able to breathe.

DE comes in food grade and other varieties, but if you use it inside your home, you want to choose the food grade as it’s safer. It isn’t toxic but can irritate your lungs so when using it, wear a mask. The mixture should be used in its original powder form, and always wear gloves when handling it.

Toss the powder in your troubled areas and watch the bugs start to die off. Repeat this process every evening for the best results.

Mouthwash Spray

When chemist Joseph Lawrence made Listerine back in 1879, he had no idea all the things it would be used for with time. It was used to disinfect medical tools and is now used as a pest control aid. Who would’ve thought that Listerine would be a good replacement to get rid of cockroaches without using foggers.

The gem is the menthol in this product that will not only kill but also repel roaches. You can use any brand that has a menthol base to it. Simply mix one cup of mouthwash with equal parts of water.

Add a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid to the mix for extra killing power. Put everything in a spray bottle, and spray liberally around your roach-infested locations.

Coffee Grounds

Since many people in New Jersey are coffee drinkers, you probably have coffee grounds around your home. Using these grounds may be one way to get rid of roaches. Roaches love the smell of coffee, as most people and pests do.

However, the caffeine in your cup of Joe causes the problem. Start by getting some small paper coffee cups. You want to place the cup inside of a larger jar you’ve filled with water. Next, set the jars on the floors in your high, roach-trafficked areas.

The roach will be lured in by the tempting smell of the roasted beans, and then they will be trapped and drowned in the water. Dump out each jar and put a fresh batch in daily. Keep repeating this process until you see no more active bugs.

White Vinegar

Cockroaches hate white vinegar, and if the smell doesn’t work, then the acidic nature will. Mix one cup of vinegar with a cup of water and combine it in a sprat bottle. Spray the mixture around the home and repeat until you see no more roaches.

Detergent Spray

Roaches have always been referred to as dirty bugs, but now you know that some soap and water may be all you need to clean them up. The variety that responds best to this method is the German variety of cockroaches. To do this, mix four teaspoons of the detergent into one liter of water, then place the mixture in a spray bottle and shake. Spray where you see roaches and repeat as necessary. It’s completely safe for you and your pets, so you can spray it liberally.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is used to make cakes and biscuits rise, and it’s also great for whitening teeth. However, did you know it’s a wonderful tool to get rid of cockroaches without using foggers? Yes, roaches hate baking soda, as it’s a killer.

You start by mixing baking soda and sugar. Sprinkle the mixture around your troubled areas. The sugar will draw them in as it’s sweet and smells like a feast, but the baking soda will kill them by dehydrating them.

Knowing It’s Time for Professional Help to Eliminate Roaches

Fighting a battle with cockroaches is not easy. In fact, they are one of the most troublesome pests to eradicate because they’re so hardy. How can you fight a bug that can live without its head for a whole week before it dies?

DIY solutions can be great, but at some point, you just might have to surrender to contacting pest control professionals. This is especially true to eliminate the health and safety risk that come with doing things on your own.

Don’t wait until the last minute to call a professional; go ahead and call as soon as you notice an issue. When you see one bug, there are many more that you don’t see, and this will be a real issue if you let it get out of hand. Cockroaches, especially, travel in large numbers.

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