Rid Your Home of Stupid Stinkin’ Roaches

Man, I hate roaches. A lot. They smell, get in your food, leave droppings everywhere, and reproduce at an incredible rate. I think some may even be using my phone for long distance calls. They gotta go! Pest control companies can cost big bucks, so what am I going to do? Glad you asked!

Roaches need 3 things to survive:

(1) Food

(2) Water

(3) A place to live

If we take away those 3 things and kill off the stragglers, we will be roach free.

Keep all food in your refrigerator or in air tight containers. Clean up all food crumbs, splattered grease, and spills. Put away your pet’s food bowls at night. Clean the top and sides of your stove. Wash and put away all dishes. Take the trash out every night. Rinse out empty beverage containers. Deny those pests any food source at all and you will be surprised how fast they move over to your neighbors’ house!

When it comes to water, fix all leaks around and under your sinks. Wipe out the sinks with a paper towel before going to bed. Again, put Fido’s water bowl away for the night.

Roaches love a nice comfy, warm, closed in space to live. Cracks and crevices is where pro exterminators put their poisons. Then they try to close up those cracks. You can honestly kill more cockroaches with a tube of caulk than a spray can of poison. Try to play detective in your kitchen and bathroom. Take a step back and try to spot every small crack a roach can live in. You will often see telltale small black marks around the openings of where they hide. Seal up these hideouts with clear caulk and you are on your way to a roach free home.

I do not like to use poisons in my home. A couple of safe alternatives that work extremely well are Boric Acid and Diatomaceous Earth. They are both safe powders that can be puffed into cracks and crevices with a dry plastic squeeze bottle. I use a hair color application bottle my wife got at the beauty supply for $1.50. These powders can be put into cracks and crevices before you seal them with the caulk.

Another weapon in your arsenal is tape. It can be turned upside down and used as a barrier to catch stray roaches. Roach traps and baits are also available at many stores.

It can take some effort, but keep up the fight and you will win the war!