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How to Treat for Cockroaches

Cockroaches are a common home-invading pest that can be difficult to remove from your space. These pests are adaptable, and infestations can grow quickly. Kicking cockroaches out of your home will require minimizing attractants and using pest control products. We’ve gathered information to help you effectively treat for cockroaches in your home. 

Remove Cockroach Attractants 

Cleaning kitchen counter

One of the best things you can do to help eliminate a cockroach infestation is to remove potential attractants. Cockroaches are attracted to homes that provide them with sources of food, moisture, and shelter.

  • Vacuum and sweep regularly to remove crumbs.
  • Keep countertops and tables clean, wiping up spills and food particles. 
  • Don't leave dirty dishes in the sink.
  • Store your food and your pet's food in sealed containers. 
  • Minimize excess moisture in your home. 
  • Keep your house neat and organized, removing clutter that can act as hiding spots for cockroaches. 

Removing these attractants will make your home less appealing to cockroaches, helping to deter them from sticking around and preventing future infestations. 

How to Treat for Cockroaches 

Cockroaches in kitchen

There are different pest control products available that can help you eliminate a cockroach infestation. Check out how you can use plant-based insecticide sprays, insecticide dusts, and baits to get rid of cockroaches. 

Plant-Based Insecticide Sprays

Home Bug Spray

Plant-based insecticide sprays provide contact kill and residual repellency protection. Our Ant & Roach Killer and our Home Bug Spray can be used for cockroach control. Sprays are ideal when spot-treating one or two cockroaches. Before spraying, shake the product well and then spray to contact as many cockroaches as possible. Insecticide sprays can also help to prevent cockroaches from entering your home. You’ll want to spray areas where cockroaches are likely to enter your house including cracks or gaps near doors, windows, and the foundation of your home. 

Insecticide Dusts

Spider & Insect Dust and Bed Bug Killer

Insecticide dusts are also effective against cockroaches and other pests. Our Spider & Insect Dust and our Bed Bug Killer dust are labeled for cockroaches. Though dusts work slower than sprays, they provide longer-lasting protection, up to 6 months when undisturbed. Dusts should be applied to areas where cockroaches tend to hide. These pests often harbor in cracks in walls, ceilings, and floors as well as in cabinets and under appliances. Our dusts can be applied using the puffer bottle or with a small paint brush to dust along edges and into cracks. Apply a light dusting at a rate of about 2 oz per 100 sq ft. 

Cockroach Baits

Roach Killer Gel Bait

When dealing with a cockroach infestation, baits are the ideal solution. Our Roach Killer Gel Bait is designed to allow cockroaches to consume the bait and return to the nest. When other cockroaches feed on the dead cockroaches or their droppings, they will be exposed to the bait. Apply small, pea-sized drops of the bait to cracks, crevices, and voids where cockroaches are likely to harbor. You can apply 10–20 bait placements per 100 sq ft. You will want to ensure that there is a fresh supply of bait, reapplying the bait until you no longer see cockroaches. If you are using a bait, don’t use an insecticide with repellent properties near the placements. You don’t want to prevent the cockroaches from eating the bait. 

How to Prevent Cockroaches

Sealing crack near window

Once you get rid of the cockroaches in your space, you’ll want to make sure that a new infestation doesn’t start. Implementing a few preventative measures can help to keep your home free of these creepy crawlies. 

  • Seal Entry Points: Examine your house for possible entry points. Cockroaches can squeeze into small spaces. Look for cracks or gaps where they could enter and seal them. Make sure your door sweeps, weather stripping, and screens are in good condition. You’ll also want to check for holes around pipes or utility lines entering your home. 
  • Continue to Minimize Attractants: It’s important that you continue to minimize food and water sources as well as hiding spots in your home. Regularly cleaning your space will help to discourage cockroach activity. 
  • Create a Protective Barrier: Insecticide sprays with repellent properties can be used to create a protective barrier that helps to keep cockroaches out of your home. You can spray the perimeter of your house and common entry points with our Home Bug Spray. Apply around window and door frames, where utilities enter the home, and other potential entry points. 

No one wants to share their space with cockroaches. When these pests invade, you’ll want to implement a two-step approach to kicking them out of your home. Work to remove the attractants that brought them to your home and treat the area with a pest control product. If you’re dealing with cockroaches or other pesky bugs, we’re here to help! Check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products


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