How to get rid of cockroaches

Cockroaches can hide in just about any corner of the home. Behind fridges, under furniture, in cupboards... they can fit anywhere and will devour everything in their path. Cockroaches reproduce very quickly and can cover very long distances.

That's why, if you're looking to put a stop to an infestation, it's important to check every single dark and warm spot in the kitchen or bathroom. There are various ways to eliminate cockroaches from natural methods and various tips and tricks to investing in a shop-bought insecticide.

Noticed cockroaches in the kitchen but want to deal with the issue the natural way?Essential oils are both an effective and environmentally friendly way to remedy the situation. Rosemary and eucalyptus essential oils are a particularly effective combination.

A few drops on a sheet of newspaper should be enough to get rid of your unwanted guests! Simply place the newspapers in strategic spots where cockroaches tend to hide such as under the fridge or furniture.

If you don't have a full-blown infestation, you can try to deter the insects by putting some lavender essential oil in a diffuser. Cockroaches hate the smell and will stay away if given the choice.

Combine equal amounts of bicarbonate of soda and fine grain sugar. Leave small spoonfuls of the mixture on plates around the house. The cockroaches will be attracted to the sugar but will eat the baking soda at the same time which will dehydrate and eventually kill them. It's best to position your plates in dark corners and any moist spots.

Pour some wine into empty jars and add a bit of sugar to tempt the cockroaches. Theoretically, the insects will climb up the walls of the jar and fall into the liquid. While cockroaches can survive for about 45 minutes in liquid, they will eventually tire themselves out and die.

A great eco-friendly alternative to manufactured insecticides, diatomaceous earth comes as a powder that can be sprinkled into cracks or left in little piles around the home. If you want to tempt the cockroaches towards the product more quickly, you can add a bit of sugar to the earth.

Fill some jars with Vaseline or another greasy product (such as coconut oil) and spread the containers around the home. You can place some leftovers into the pots to attract the cockroaches. Just like with the wine method, the cockroaches will get stuck in the jars and will eventually die of exhaustion.

A simple and effective solution, white vinegar can be sprayed around your home to keep cockroaches at bay.

As you've probably guessed, cockroaches will naturally move towards any food source. It's important to clean out your cupboards properly and get rid of any crumbs or open packages. Don't provide your cockroaches with an open buffet! Be sure to store any open food in the fridge or in sealed containers. Similarly, avoid leaving pet bowls lying around and don't let your dishes pile up in the sink.

A good way to avoid infestations in the first place is to clean everything properly. Use your vacuum cleaner to get right into any corners, cracks and skirting boards, and under the bed. Then fill in any gaps and clean everything using a natural detergent. Be sure to throw away your vacuum cleaner bag afterwards in case you've sucked up any cockrach eggs. If you've got a bagless vacuum cleaner, empty it and give it a good clean.

Clean your household appliances carefully and regularly. That includes your cooker hood as built-up oil can constitute a real feast for cockroaches!

Cockroaches love warm and moist spaces. Air out your home as much as possible, especially the bathroom. If necessary, invest in some humidity absorbers to reduce humidity levels as much as possible.

It is possible to buy so-called insect or bug barriers. These products usually come in spray form and are designed to create a 'barrier' to stop insects from entering the home. These types of products should be applied along windows and around doors.

From bug bombs to sprays or powders, there are many different types of insecticides designed to eliminate cockroaches. Spread around hallways, on skirting boards or under furniture, these products are harmful but will eradicate these bugs more or less instantly.

It is also possible to use glue traps to capture cockroaches.

If you've tried every method to get rid of cockroaches and you just can't get them out of your home, you will have to get hold of some smoke bombs. Also known as cockroach bombs or foggers, these products can be found in most DIY shops. Bear in mind that you will have remove plants, pets and food from the home before using a smoke bomb.

Simply let off the smoke bomb and leave the house for about four hours. Once you get home, air out your rooms for at least two hours and proceed to deep cleaning your home. Be sure to clean any fabrics such as curtains, blankets or rugs that may still contain cockroach eggs.