How to Get Rid of Cockroaches

Cockroaches are rumored to be the last species standing in the event of an apocalypse—and given that they can often survive despite repeated efforts to annihilate them, it's probably a safe bet. So it's no surprise that figuring out how to get rid of cockroaches can be an ongoing battle for many unlucky people.

To help you in your cockroach battle, we consulted a pair of experts: Ian Williams, technical services manager at Orkin, and Chad Gore, PhD, BCE, market technical director at Terminix. They gave us the icky details on why cockroaches may set up shop in your space, and what you can do to get rid of them, once—and hopefully—for all.

Make your home unappealing to cockroaches

Prevention is always the smartest tactic—and there are several things you can do to encourage cockroaches to seek a home elsewhere. Basically, if you provide them with food, water, and shelter, you've essentially put out the welcome mat. Take the following steps to give your home less cockroach curb appeal.

Bonus: Many of these cockroach prevention tactics also help you avoid other pests, too. "Habitat management and modification–eliminating food, water, shelter) are always important factors not just for cockroaches but really for just about all pests that we deal with," Gore says.

Seal any exterior gaps and cracks

Outdoor cockroaches can sneak in through gaps and cracks, so sealing any gaps around windows and doors, fixing cracks, and installing door sweeps can help keep roaches and other critters at bay,

Clean your gutters

"Decaying leaves in gutters and downspouts are great habitats for outdoor cockroaches to live and breed—and keeping gutters clean is a great way to keep them away," Williams says.

Avoid leaving crumbs or food out

A ready food supply is a cockroach magnet, so putting food away and frequent cleaning and vacuuming can help you reduce your risk of a cockroach infestation. "If there isn't food available, they can't grow and reproduce," Williams says.

Address any leaks or other potential water sources

Water is another draw for cockroaches, so ensure that you handle any water leaks or standing water quickly.

Inspect anything you bring into your home

Just like bed bugs, cockroaches are notorious hitchhikers, so keep an eye on what you bring into your home. "It's more than just groceries that you should check," Gore says. "Anywhere that people go, German cockroaches can hitchhike with them and move from one item to another. Think about the workplace where people bring their personal possessions with them from home...we see this quite a lot.

Don't be complacent if you see only one cockroach

It may seem like one cockroach isn't really a problem, but odds are that one cockroach you've seen represents many more hiding behind the scenes. "Because cockroaches typically are nocturnal, if you’ve seen one, you probably haven’t seen them all," Williams says. "The few cockroaches you see by day could mean they were likely forced out by overcrowding; a possible sign of severe infestation depending on the type of cockroach. For each one you see there can be many, many more hiding and multiplying behind your walls."

Figure out what type of cockroach you're dealing with

Different species of cockroaches have different preferences and habits—so determining which kind has taken up residence can help you more effectively treat it. For instance, German cockroaches, the top species found in the U.S., are indoor residents year round, with a population surge in warmer weather, while Oriental cockroaches prefer cooler temperatures and are more likely to be found in basements and crawl spaces. "Outdoor cockroaches, especially some of the larger ones, can be attracted to lights at night as the daylight gets shorter, and as temperatures start to drop, they search for warmer areas, which can bring them inside our homes," Williams says.

Create a cockroach plan of attack

If you do see any of these creepy critters, you'll want to move quickly to keep the population from exploding.

Start with some of the cockroach prevention methods, which can also make your home less enticing as a permanent shelter. "Keeping areas like kitchens clean of food debris will limit cockroach problems—if there isn’t food available, they can’t grow and reproduce," Willams says.

Williams also suggests vacuuming any visible roaches. "Just make sure to remove the bag or empty the container outside and dispose of it immediately so you aren’t putting them right back into the kitchen garbage can."

Use the right tools

You'll see a lot of different cockroach products out there—including traps, bait, and more "natural" remedies like dusting with boric acid. But each of these products serves a different purpose, and you may need to use several different types of products together to improve your chances of success.

"Over-the-counter products can work if used properly," Gore says. "The traps are used for monitoring and telling us information about the pest population. Baits are one of the most effective ways to deal with cockroaches, but you have to be ready to put out enough of it to affect the population. You can't just put out a little bit and expect all of the cockroaches to find it. Boric acid, as a dust, is very effective."

Keep in mind that cockroaches have become immune to several common insecticides, so you may need to switch products (or call in the pros), if your treatment plan isn't working.

Remember that more isn't always better

When you see cockroaches, you may be tempted to cover your kitchen with traps or other products. But there is such a thing as too much of a good thing—and putting down too much bait or insecticide could actually backfire on you. "With insecticides, including boric acid, more can actually repel the insects and ultimately not do anything for the problem," Gore says. "Always read and understand the use directions for any insecticide being used for insects."

Call in the pros

Professional exterminators can help you determine what exactly which types of cockroaches you're seeing, and the best plan of attack. "The challenge is knowing what you are doing, how to properly use the products, where to properly place them, and understanding what the observations in an infested environment are telling you about the problem," Gore says. "A lot of this requires the training that comes with professionals who understand better the biology and behavior of the insects. Knowing this allows you to take advantage of these traits to build and execute an effective control program."