How to Get Rid of Oriental Cockroaches | Tried & Tested Solutions

Nobody likes cockroaches in their house, and the fact that there are more than a thousand different types doesn’t make it any easier.

Of course, we can’t cover all the species of roaches, but here is a start.

In today’s article, we will be discussing how to get rid of Oriental cockroaches, one of the most common types of roaches that invade houses.

Getting rid of cockroaches is not easy, especially if you are dealing with an infestation. 

But don’t worry; we will cover everything from home remedies to efficient repellents, so keep reading.

How to Get Rid of Oriental Cockroaches

If the roaches have already invaded your home, then there are certain measures you can take to control and get rid of them naturally.

Here are a couple of the most effective ones:

Remove Their Food Source

Like humans, cockroaches need food to survive; but unlike humans, they can live off anything from decaying food to crumbs and even debris.

One of the most successful ways to eliminate Oriental roaches in the house is to deny them food and water.

Don’t keep dirty dishes piled up in the sink; this is like a treat for them; tightly pack and seal all your food containers, cereal boxes, milk cartons, etc.

Keep your common kitchen appliances clean and dry like the back of the refrigerators, toasters, ovens, etc.

You have to remember that this isn’t a one-time solution; you need to keep taking these steps regularly to make sure you are not creating a hospitable place for them.

Eliminate Moisture

Did you know that Oriental cockroaches are also called as ‘water bugs’?

This is no secret that cockroaches like damp places with enough moisture hidden from the human eye.

If there is a cockroach in your house, it means there is a place for them to hide as well.

And although cockroaches can live without food for weeks, they do need water to survive.

Another major and necessary step you need to get rid of these oriental cockroaches is to remove moisture in your house.

Some of the most common places to look out for are any leaky pipes or open drains that need to be fixed.

Also immediately get rid of any standing water like leakage behind refrigerators or excess water in potted plants or sinks and drains

Eliminating moisture is one of the most important steps you need to take to keep your house protected from these pests.

Stop Their Entry

Although it may sound like a no-brainer, you would be surprised by how many people ignore to take care of this.

Cockroaches can scuttle their way inside your house through the smallest crack and holes.

So you need to make sure not to allow them to get into the house in the first place.

Seal all the cracks and crevices in your foundation wall, your bedroom, especially your kitchens and bathrooms.

If you have a basement, you need to pay more attention to making it impenetrable since they provide the perfect refuge for them- a dark and damp place for dwelling.

Check your house thoroughly and fix any holes or cavities you see, like inside your pantry or in the baseboards, etc.

 These pests can squeeze their way through the smallest opening, so you need to make sure you leave no stone unturned.

Best Cockroach Killers for Oriental Cockroaches

Now, sometimes despite using all the home remedies (which we will discuss later) and organic solutions, these roaches still don’t leave.

And this is especially true if you are dealing with an infestation.

In such situations, we have got you covered.

Here are some of the most recommended Oriental cockroach killers, which are not only hassle-free but are also readily available online.

Cockroach Traps

Cockroach traps are among the most commonly used products among homeowners due to their easy application and desired results.

Cockroach traps are devices that usually have bait or some attraction for the roaches to lure them on it.

Once they step on it, they get stuck and become immobile due to the adhesive applied to the trap.

This is a very efficient solution that helps you eliminate them without using any major chemicals in your house.

Cockroach Spray

How can we not mention sprays when we talk about quick and efficient chemicals for killing oriental cockroaches?

Cockroach sprays are another well-advocated solution that is used a lot by homeowners facing an infestation.

They are so popular because of their characteristic of not being toxic to humans.

Besides this, they are easily available in any convenience store.

They are also inexpensive and get the job done for you; all you have to do is spray it in the familiar hiding places of these roaches and wait for them to come in contact with it.

Roach Gel Bait

Roach gel baits are a very useful and potent remedy to get rid of these roaches.

These gel baits contain a variety of formulation of lethal insecticides like chemicals that kills these pests easily.

The most basic way to use them is to apply small dots of this gel in cracks and gaps of the common hiding places of these cockroaches.

They attract the pests, who get lured thinking of it as food, and consume it, thus killing them.

Cockroach Fogger

In recent years, cockroach foggers, also known as ‘cockroach bombs’ have gained a lot of popularity as an effective alternative for killing and getting rid of these roaches.

The idea behind this is that these foggers create a pest control like effect by releasing a mist of insecticide in the air.

It has proved to be a good solution to deal with infestations.

However, they do have a lot of chemicals and can be toxic for children or pets if inhaled directly. 

Hence, this should only be used in case of a serious infestation and under the guidance of a professional exterminator.

How to Kill Oriental Cockroaches with Home Remedies

Many times, when you are not facing a severe infestation, and you don’t want to use roach killers in your house, you look for alternative solutions that provide equally fruitful outcomes.

And, what is a better alternative to chemicals than home remedies?

However, not all home remedies work, so you need to choose carefully.

Below mentioned are some of the tried and tested ones who have given the desired results.

Boric Acid Bait

If you do not wish to use a chemical bait, you can always make your own 100% natural cockroach bait using boric acid.

Boric acid is a prevalent home remedy because they are incredibly toxic for cockroaches but relatively harmless for humans and pets.

To create your bait, all you have to do is mix boric acid and powdered sugar and sprinkle it in all the places where you think these roaches hide.

The sugar will lure them, and the boric acid will kill them.

Sprinkle it behind the microwave, refrigerators, in cracks and crevices, etc.

Diatomaceous Earth

Food grade diatomaceous earth is another excellent homemade alternative that can be used to get rid of cockroaches.

Diatomaceous earth is non-toxic and harmless for humans and pets but kills these pests by breaking down their exoskeleton.

All you have to do is sprinkle this powder in the standard entry points and hiding places of these cockroaches.

It works incredibly well and is cheap and readily available.

Borax

Borax is a salt of boric acid and is equally effective in getting rid of roaches.

They work similarly; however, just like boric acid, borax for roaches also needs to be mixed with a bait (powdered sugar) to lure these bugs.

Once ingested, they kill the pest quite smoothly.

Sometimes, the cockroaches even carry the ‘baits’ back to their hiding places, thus killing other cockroaches that eat it.

Also, since borax is a standard laundry cleaner, it can be easily found in a supermarket or a grocery store in the laundry aisle.

Bleach

Bleach is one of the most generic DIY remedies adopted by people who face the Oriental cockroach invasion problem.

They have proved their effectiveness repeatedly through the years and hence are still reliable and preferred when it comes to home treatments.

Once the roach comes in contact with the bleach, they are sure to die immediately.

However, bleach is a cleaning agent and has a powerful smell that cockroaches detest; this smell makes them scurry away, making contact difficult.

Other roach baits attract the cockroaches, but bleach doesn’t offer that.

So although it is very effective, you need to use it in a way that makes contact with the pest possible (maybe through drowning or ingestion, etc.)

How to Repel Oriental Cockroaches with Home Remedies

We have undoubtedly discussed a lot about how to kill oriental cockroaches and get rid of them. 

However, just killing them is not the solution; you need to make sure that they don’t come back.

Apart from sealing all the entry points and removing their food sources, you can take some extra measures to make sure they stay away from your house.

Don’t worry; they are straightforward, cheap, and easy to get hold of.

The below-mentioned home remedies act as a great repellent and keep Oriental roaches away.

However, you need to remember that they can only repel the cockroaches and not kill them.

Bay Leaves

Bay leaves are often used as a natural repeller to keep many pests away.

These leaves produce a scent that is irritating for the cockroaches and keeps them away, similar to how a repellent works.

You can simply fill a bowl with bay leaves and keep them in places that are common entry points for these roaches.

Peppermint Oil

Essential oils, especially peppermint oil, have been acting as insect repellent for many years now.

Roaches hate the smell of peppermint oil, and therefore they try to avoid it.

One of the most significant benefits of using peppermint oil is it will keep the roaches away and keep your house smelling fresh and minty.

Also, the application is effortless; all you have to do is mix peppermint oil with water (to dilute it) and spritz it in the familiar hiding places of these roaches, like around the wall’s foundation under the beds, etc.

Catnip

Yes, you read that right; your cat’s favorite herb is an excellent Oriental cockroach repeller.

‘Nepetalactone’ which is a chemical is the active ingredient in catnip and key for its repellent properties.

Cockroaches are sensitive to this chemical and thus try to stay away from it.

Placing small pouches of catnip around your house where you have frequently noticed these roaches will help you keep them at bay.

Mothballs 

Another extremely efficient repeller, mothballs, works wonders not only against moths but also against cockroaches.

These balls have naphthalene, which is a compound with a powerful smell that repels the cockroaches.

This pungent smell affects their respiratory system, and therefore they try to avoid it.

All you have to do is keep them around the house, in corners, and other hidden places where you have spotted cockroaches in the past.

Once again, these remedies will not kill the roaches but will keep them from invading your house.

Eliminate Oriental Roaches with Professional Pest Control

Now that we’ve discussed all the alternatives to eliminate and repel Oriental roaches, it is essential to note that these solutions may not necessarily work in the case of a full-fledge roach infestation.

This is where a licensed exterminator comes into the picture! To know more about this, fill the below-mentioned form to get free multiple quotes from the professional Pest Control Companies in your vicinity so that you can decide which one to hire for your infestation problem.

And don’t worry, all the information that you mention here is 100% safe! Also, by filling the form, at least you’ll know how much you will have to pay if you take the help of your local exterminators.

Final Words

There is no denying that 2023 is proving to be quite an eventful year, and while there are some things that we cannot control, we can take specific steps that can make the situation easier for us to handle.

Similarly, getting rid of Oriental cockroaches can be a task since they are one persistent pest, but it is not impossible. 

Maintaining basic hygiene and creating an inhospitable environment for them is the most critical step that will do 50% of your work.

While there are several remedies available, it is always better to go for the more suitable and manageable one.

And even then, if nothing else works, hiring an exterminator to handle the situation professionally and eliminate these buggers permanently is one alternative you can always rely on.