Cockroaches are very tenacious creatures that are unpretentious to their living conditions. However, they are comfortable living next to a human home, but even better - inside. Uninvited guests love the comfort of cockroaches - warm, humid places with food present.
Variety of anti-cockroach products
Cockroaches are not an indicator of uncleanliness in the house. They can be brought from another home, a trip, even by mail along with a parcel. But most often they “come” themselves from the basement, entrance, from neighbors, or appear with new things in the house.
It is impossible to maintain perfect cleanliness every day, and cockroaches will quickly find crumbs and water on the floor. Physiology allows them to survive for several weeks without food, or to feed on paper, leather, wood or even fabric.
They can pretend to be dead. If you find a cockroach that is not showing signs of life, do not rush to throw it in the trash. You should flush it down the toilet to get rid of the parasite for sure.
What types of cockroaches are there?
There are several thousand species of longhorned beetles in the world. In apartments in our country you can find two types: the most common is red (Prussian) and black (kitchen).
Cockroaches living in apartments and houses: Prusak and black
The Prusak has a size of 1.3 - 1.5 cm and can go without food for up to 40 days. The kitchen one is twice as large, up to 3 cm in length and can live without food for up to 70 days.
Everyone knows about their resistance to unsuitable living conditions. And the fact that they can survive a nuclear explosion is not a myth. Therefore, some kind of hunger is not a barrier for them.
The most effective ways to expel cockroaches
It is better to fight with intestinal insecticides. A good method is aerosol treatment, which helps against adults.
Based on user reviews, a rating of effective pest control products has been compiled:
- Global paste is applied in pea-sized increments at sources of moisture. The drug is low-toxic, long-acting. After 2 weeks the population dies.
- “Regent” is an intestinal insecticide, available in ampoules and powder. It is odorless and leaves no traces. Minuses:
- toxic to pets and children;
- does not last long.
- "Get" is effective against many domestic insects. Available in bottles. Low-toxic, does not smell, does not stain baseboards or walls. long-acting drug.
- Dohlox-gel is convenient to apply in a syringe. It quickly destroys adult individuals, the cockroaches suffocate and run out into the open to die. They are easy to assemble. The product is low toxic. Disadvantage: with long-term use it is ineffective; pests get used to the drug.
- Dichlorvos kills adult insects, larvae, and eggs. The drug is effective, but has an unpleasant odor and is toxic. When choosing this product, take into account the possibility of isolating households and ventilating the room.
Additional information: leaving fresh lemon slices overnight is effective; insects do not like the smell of yellow citrus. The aroma of potted geranium scares off the Prussians; the leaves are dried and laid out in places where cockroaches may appear.
How dangerous are they?
Cockroaches do not bite and are generally afraid of people. There is no visible harm, but the dirt they bring will not leave you in good health. They examine the garbage in search of food, the toilet in search of water, then they carry a bunch of different bacteria around the apartment on their paws, leaving them on children's toys, on furniture and, worst of all, on the table and cutlery.
For some people, the activity of insects may not have any effect, while others may be seriously poisoned. Bacteria are different, each body reacts to them individually, so you should not let cockroaches multiply and run wherever they please.
It is better to start baiting them in the first days, as soon as you notice them. Cockroaches live for approximately 6–8 months, and during this time the female can lay 320 eggs. The more of them there are, the harder it is to get rid of the brood later.
Smells
Cockroaches cannot stand the smell of bay leaves and mint. If necessary, they are crushed and scattered in the most inaccessible places, and as an additional remedy, a steep decoction of mint and laurel is used for wet cleaning of the room. Unlike ammonia, this composition will not cause harm to human health, although this smell can also irritate pets.
Naphthalene has long been known to all of us as a means of fighting moths, but in cases where you need to quickly and effectively destroy cockroaches in an apartment, you can safely use it. Tablets or special bags of mothballs are placed in secluded corners where cockroaches hide from daylight. After a few days, you will notice that their number in the apartment has sharply decreased, and after a week the mustachioed pests will leave the apartment completely.
You can also fight cockroaches with the scent of cedar. Needles are one of the worst enemies of these insects. Scented napkins or plant sprigs placed in cabinet drawers will force cockroaches to leave the room.
A fairly effective remedy is a spray made from diluted hot chili sauce. Although some housewives prefer to use ground red pepper, or grind hot pepper themselves in a mortar or coffee grinder to scatter the resulting powder in places where pests have been noticed.
Experts advise regularly carrying out wet cleaning in the apartment, adding essential oils of plants such as:
- Schisandra.
- Melissa.
- Eucalyptus.
- Mint.
- Citronella.
Such methods of fighting cockroaches will not only help get rid of them, but will also protect the apartment from new “guests”.
Beer is the enemy of cockroaches
The smell of brewer's yeast can help remove insects, because it attracts them so much that they cannot resist and go where the aroma comes from. People have been using beer for a long time to build simple baits for annoying mustachioed “tenants.” Building a trap is very simple. You need to take any glass container (bottle or jar), pour some fresh aromatic beer into the bottom, and thoroughly lubricate the neck with Vaseline. Following the smell, the insects fall into the container and cannot get out. After all, paws dipped in beer slide along the coated neck.
Another effective remedy is a sticky trap. In the center of a sheet of thick paper, place any bait whose smell will attract cockroaches. The sheet around the bait is smeared with glue. The point is that, striving for the desired food, insects stick to the strip coated with glue and can no longer get out.
As bait you can use:
- Bread soaked in beer.
- Sweets.
- Bread crumbs.
- Products sprinkled with vanilla.
How to find a nest of cockroaches in an apartment
Cockroaches themselves are timid creatures; they try to stay away from human eyes and direct rays of light. Strong lighting directly signals them about danger, so they try to stay in the shade and live in dark, damp, cluttered places.
There is clearly no fight against cockroaches
To find out if there are cockroaches in the house, go into the kitchen or bathroom in the middle of the night. If there are insects, at least one will still catch your eye. And where there is one, there is a whole colony. You can also find the products of their vital activity - feces, they look like dark brown small spots. They can be seen in different drawers, at the joints of doors, under the sink. When a colony of cockroaches grows, a specific unpleasant odor appears in the apartment.
Since cockroaches need darkness, warmth, water and food, the best places to hide are the bathroom, toilet and, of course, the kitchen. In the kitchen, they most often live under the sink, refrigerator, inside kitchen furniture and some electrical appliances.
Their flattened body shape allows them to inhabit cracks in baseboards, floors, behind hanging cabinets, in ventilation, near pipes, under bathtubs and even under wallpaper. If the house is old, then there will be several times more cracks and other defects suitable for living parasites.
Since the first time after the “housewarming”, cockroaches are very careful, you need to carefully inspect every corner (not skipping the bedroom, the passer-by) for the presence of them or traces of their vital activity.
To kill cockroaches in hard-to-reach areas, you can use a steam generator.
Conditions for freezing an apartment
The issue of freezing an apartment remains controversial, but it is a safe and effective method if everything is thought out and calculated correctly. It is most reliable to freeze cockroaches at t = -10 – -15C, otherwise it is difficult to guarantee a 100% result. If there is no frost outside, then there is no point in carrying out an operation to destroy red Prussians: they will eventually thaw out and return to their previous way of life.
To freeze parasites, you need to make preliminary preparations:
Even before carrying out the preparatory work, you need to agree with your neighbors so that they do the same. If you freeze out one apartment, the colony of “aliens” will move to the next one, or surviving individuals will appear from the neighbors. There will be no problems if the house is private.
Note: At temperatures close to zero, cockroaches simply hibernate. In the process of heating the apartment, they “thaw” and continue active life, restoring the size of the colony.
Procedure for eviction of “red-haired guests”
Having carried out all the preliminary measures, you can safely begin the winter “extermination” procedures. At sub-zero temperatures
- Open wide the windows, the balcony door, the loggia. It’s good if the day is quiet, otherwise there will be snowdrifts in the corners of the apartment (you need to be prepared for this).
- You need to freeze the apartment completely. The lower the climate indicator, the more effective the process of killing insects will be.
- On frosty days, 4 hours are enough for cockroach eggs and adults to die. They cannot survive in the cold.
- At t= -5C, leave the apartment to freeze for a day to ensure getting rid of the Prussians. Monitor the temperature by installing a thermometer in the room.
- After freezing, heat the apartment gradually so that furniture and household equipment are not damaged. Carry out general cleaning, sweeping out cockroaches and thoroughly washing all corners and possible places where they accumulate.
Note: Cockroaches tolerate short-term cold snaps by hiding in the folds of clothing or linen, or finding a closed nook. This must be taken into account when calculating the time required for processing.
Types of poison
If you have to deal with such nasty pests as cockroaches, then your war may be long. It is important to take into account the fact that they multiply very quickly and, in search of a better life, spread not only throughout the apartment, but throughout the entire residential complex!
Before poisoning cockroaches, you need to talk with your neighbors about their presence in other apartments. If you poison only in your apartment, then later your neighbors’ cockroaches will crawl to you. Therefore, everyone needs to start poisoning parasites at the same time.
To combat small pests there are many different means, both professional and inexpensive folk. They may be in the form:
- gel;
- pastes;
- spray;
- powder;
- liquid product;
- tablets;
- microencapsulated products;
- chalk.
Each of the means is good in its own way. We will discuss all their advantages and disadvantages below, but it is important not to forget that cockroaches reproduce quickly and adapt to harmful substances.
Ammonia
Ammonia is unlikely to help remove cockroaches, but it will definitely drive them away.
There is no need for the room to smell like an intensive care ward: it will be enough to dilute 1 teaspoon of ammonia with 3 liters of water and wash the floors.
The sense of smell in annoying pests is more developed than in humans, so even a small amount of ammonia is like a chemical weapon for cockroaches.
But keep in mind: to prevent hated roommates from returning to you, you need to add ammonia to the water every time you clean.
Household products
There are many household products that are inexpensive but still effective. Before treating surfaces, it is important to fix the taps, remove food and wipe all surfaces dry at night, since water is the main source of life for any living beings.
Let's look at popular cockroach repellents and some of their varieties.
Pastes
Paste is one of the best options of all cockroach repellents. It is not addictive to parasites and works 100% percent. The result can be seen in the first days, and the paste will do all the work in 2 weeks. It needs to be applied precisely near the cockroaches’ habitat. Most of all such products contain chlorpyrifos - this is an active substance that belongs to toxicity class 4. A good option is Globol paste.
Global paste is a proven effective remedy for cockroaches, and also very economical
Gels
Gel against cockroaches is the most effective in terms of time, which is why it is very popular. It can handle an entire colony in 7-14 days, which is a very short time considering the fact that it sometimes takes months. Available in special syringes, and more often in tubes. Its soft consistency, more liquid than that of a paste, and a thin tube attachment allow you to apply poison even into the most inaccessible crevices. The following gels have proven their effectiveness:
- "Raptor" - kills the nervous system of the pest. When consumed, the cockroach remains paralyzed and quickly dies.
- “Dokhlos” acts quickly and prevents a new generation from appearing. Belong to toxicity class 1 or 2.
- “Killer” - it will not destroy an entire colony, but one tube is enough to treat a room of up to 25 square meters. m.
- “Sturm” and “Fas” - contain 2 active ingredients (two different insecticides), which increase the strength of the gel on insects.
Sprays
When treating an apartment with a spray, it is advisable to wear protective clothing and a mask to prevent the occurrence of allergic reactions in the body. Children and household members should leave the premises at this time. The advantage of sprays is that they act quickly and after 24 hours you can remove dead cockroaches, carry out wet cleaning and ventilation. Works well against small and medium-sized parasite colonies. The best sprays for cockroaches are:
- "Raptor".
- "Baygon."
- "Raid".
- "Combat".
- "Gett."
Sprays to control cockroaches
Powders
Powder products have both their advantages and disadvantages. This is not the newest type of poison for cockroaches, but they are often overlooked, but in vain. They are very often used when cockroaches have just settled. Additional treatment is desirable, as parasites quickly get used to the drug. This is a completely safe cockroach repellent for pets and children. Powder is always much easier to treat hard-to-reach areas. The best powders are:
- "Tornado".
- "Clean house".
- "Clean world".
Liquid products
Treatment against parasites with such preparations is considered the most effective, since the liquid gets into almost any cracks and nooks and crannies. Since cockroaches most often hide in cracks, it will be enough to simply douse their habitats. Before choosing a liquid poison, it is important to familiarize yourself with its mechanism of action to understand whether it is suitable for your case.
- “Cucaracha” is considered a professional remedy and it is very important to study the instructions before processing. The second class of toxicity of the drug (destroys pests instantly) involves processing exclusively in protective clothing.
- "Tsifoks" is an instant cure for cockroaches. The parasites either die or leave the apartment. One big drawback among all the advantages is the duration of action, due to which you cannot stay in the apartment for the next 48 hours after use.
"Cucaracha" is a powerful remedy against cockroaches. Available not only in liquid form, but also in the form of spray and tablets
Pills
The tablets are not only an effective poison against cockroaches, but also a bait for them. Often manufacturers themselves call them lenses. It should be noted that they are quite effective and easy to use. There are tablets that are safe for both children and pets. The most popular are the following tablets:
- "Delicia" - from a German manufacturer. It kills not only adults, but also young animals, as well as eggs.
Boxing bait "Delicia" - Dupont Advion - may be hazardous to children and animals. These are traps of medium toxicity. The insect crawls into them and then dies.
- "Adamant Tab" is considered a professional remedy for cockroaches. It has a moderate degree of toxicity - it can be used independently only if the instructions are fully followed.
Microcapsules
Another type of very effective means is the strongest chemicals against cockroaches. The beauty is that after the liquid dries, it will not leave annoying insects alone. The most lethal means are:
- "Get" It is good because it acts upon direct contact with the cockroach and upon ingestion. Microcapsules remain on the legs and are transferred closer to the colony, quickly poisoning and killing all individuals.
- “Delta zone” is completely similar in its effect to “Get”. This product is odorless and completely safe for pets.
Insect repellent "Delta Zone"
Insect repellent "Lamda zone" - “Lambda-Zone” is a drug that is harmless to animals and children and is not addictive to insects. The substance itself is placed in nanotubes, and is located in the microcapsules themselves.
- “Xulat-25” is often used by professional parasite exterminators. The liquid is concentrated, you need to dilute it with water, following the instructions from the manufacturer. It is very toxic to cockroaches, but is safe for people and pets.
Crayons
This type of poison was used several generations ago. In the fight against a large colony of parasites, it is practically useless, and in comparison with more modern methods of control, the crayons are significantly inferior and losing ground. The most commonly chosen crayons are from the following manufacturers:
- "Mashenka."
- "Clean house".
Reasons for appearance
Naturally, a person’s home attracts these pests for a number of reasons. Firstly, you can always make money here, and the living conditions are quite acceptable. The air temperature does not drop below +18 degrees, so they feel great in such conditions. Secondly, there is high humidity here, which is just right for cockroaches.
However, they do not stay everywhere. They may appear in an apartment and then disappear. Most likely, they are looking for comfortable conditions for themselves. They need food and moisture. If there is none in a person’s home, in free access, then cockroaches do not linger.
The risk of infection by Prussians depends on many factors, such as:
- Inadequate sanitation conditions, cluttered premises.
- There are unwashed dishes in the sink.
- Presence of food residues in the trash can.
- Leftover food on the dining table.
- Accumulation of fat in food preparation areas.
- The trash can does not close.
- Free access to food, especially bulk food.
- The presence of cracks in the structures of a house or apartment.
- Lack of fine mesh grilles on ventilation systems.
- Family members can eat not only in the kitchen, but also in other rooms.
- Leaks in water supply and sewerage systems.
Need to know! There are more than enough ways for cockroaches to enter a person’s home. They can come from neighbors, from the basement, from old furniture or household appliances. They can enter through cracks in the floor, through loosely closed windows and doors, through ventilation systems, etc.
Folk remedies against cockroaches
In the case when cockroaches are replaced in small quantities, you can also resort to effective folk recipes in the fight against them. There are a large number of them, but the best home remedies are the following:
- Boric acid is a very effective substance and works quickly from the first attempts. You can make the product yourself using the following recipe: Hard-boil eggs. Grind the yolk, add boric acid. Stir. Roll the mixture into balls and spread around the apartment. The cockroaches will feel itchy and will soon leave the apartment.
- Vinegar. Many parasites do not like it. Ammonia and vinegar are often used in spray form. You need to dissolve a little liquid in water and wipe the surfaces every day.
Borax
Borax, like boron powder, is harmless only to pests. Borax is also called the sodium salt of boric acid.
There are some effective recipes for using borax:
- 200 gr. borax mixed with 60 gr. starch, and the same amount of powdered sugar, 30 gr. vanilla and a little water. The mixture should look like a paste. The last ingredient is added to give an attractive aroma.
- You can make a mixture of mashed potatoes and chopped eggs and add borax (about 1 tablespoon) to it. Borax mixtures are used against cockroaches in the same way as poisonous baits with boric acid.
On a note
Cockroach control advocates say you can simply sprinkle boric acid or borax powder around the sink or trash can. Cockroaches will run over the poison and, when cleaning their paws, will swallow the poison.
Cockroach traps
Traps are often used for prevention. Small houses are placed in dark and warm corners of the house. Cockroaches, having eaten plenty of poison, return to their brothers and also infect them.
Some traps have an adhesive base inside, from which parasites can no longer escape. This method helps to get rid of a colony that is just emerging.
Top brands:
- "Raid".
- "Raptor".
- "Foresight".
- "Combat".
Useful properties of pelargonium
A light-loving flower native to South Africa. It was there that people first noticed the bright and fragrant plant and found useful uses for it. Essential oil was extracted from the velvety cup-shaped leaves. Its beneficial properties:
- eliminates headaches;
- used in the production of cosmetics and perfumes;
- used in medicine.
It has also been observed that the strong scent of the leaves and essential oil helps repel insects, including cockroaches. This property became known to many housewives, who began to lay out dried pelargonium leaves throughout the house.
On a note!
Cockroaches, moths, midges, and ants do not like this smell and try to avoid rooms with these indoor plants.
Ultrasonic repellers
In some cases, such devices can be the most effective means of controlling cockroaches, for example, in grocery stores and apartments. Ultrasound has a negative effect on them. The use of ultrasonic devices has its pros and cons:
Pros and cons of using electronic devices
The characteristics state that humans and large animals do not feel any effect on the body. However, low-quality devices can negatively affect the human body, causing unpleasant symptoms such as headaches and/or insomnia.
Geranium
Geraniums are plants that are used as methods of preventing the appearance of cockroaches.
Its smell is excellent at repelling pests. Geranium is unlikely to be able to cope with severe infestations of cockroaches, but it will do as protection against defectors from neighboring apartments.
When fighting cockroaches with folk remedies, you need to remember that they are inferior in effectiveness to industrial insecticides. But if you follow the rules and remain patient, you can remove the bulk of the pests.
Professional products
Highly effective products include concentrated liquids, such as “Tsifoks” and “Xulat-25”. They are considered professional products and therefore must be used strictly according to the instructions. They are designed for use over large areas.
It is beneficial to contact specialists, since they can always qualitatively assess the situation and select a drug that is suitable specifically for your case.
Cockroach repellent "Tsifoks"
Liquid repellent for cockroaches Skulat-25
There are situations when, for various reasons, it is impossible to call disinfectants. In this case, you need to at least consult with them about the required drug and subsequent actions, and treat the apartment yourself.
In very difficult cases, when insects literally fall from the ceiling, you need advice from knowledgeable specialists. Professional workers know how to act correctly in such situations. After all, sometimes it may turn out that not just one family needs treatment of an apartment, but all the neighbors on the floor or in the entrance.
Crayons
An alternative to gels are specialized crayons, which are used to draw thick lines in places favored by cockroaches, for example, behind furniture. If a cockroach crosses such a line, it will contain an insecticide that will kill the insect in a few hours.
It is recommended to use crayons once every couple of months, remembering to erase old lines first. When working with them, you must follow safety rules and use protective equipment: masks and gloves. Cockroach crayons are also toxic to humans. Therefore, this product should not be used if there are small children or pets in the house.
