Non-toxic Control of Cockroaches

Non-toxic control of Cockroaches

EHA Branches:

Cockroaches do not cause disease, and they rarely cause household damage. They can cause human allergies, particularly among asthma sufferers. However, they are hated by people as a symbol of uncleanness.

Thoroughly wet-mop floors and baseboards, especially under rugs and furniture, behind appliances, and in cabinets, then clean future food spills up as soon as they occur. Vacuum regularly wherever cracker crumbs or dry pet foods might fall.

Use a foam or silicone caulk to seal all holes through walls, ceiling or floor from areas that might be infested. Especially check water and drain pipes. A 2 mm crack is all they need.

Put small piles (1/4teaspoon each is plenty) of household borax powder in places where children or pets can not reach them and they will stay dry, such as under the refrigerator.

Borax, diatomaceous earth or silica aerogel with an attractant added are commercially available - they are effective and non-toxic. A temperature below +2C kills adult German cockroaches, and -5C kills their eggs as well - a freezer is thus an effective way of eliminating them from bags of pet food or bird seed. (Note that ultrasonic or "electronic" devices neither kill nor repel cockroaches.)

Substances toxic to humans should not be used to kill cockroaches indoors.

Homes are tightly sealed, especially in winter, and the inside environment is not subject to natural environmental processes. Pesticides remain dangerous for much longer periods indoors than if they were applied outdoors. People living in houses treated with insecticide can experience severe health reactions to the chemical. Cockroaches are so common that they have the potential to reach any building at any time. Spraying can not solve the problem.

Don't expect instant results. Any place infested with cockroaches will also be infested with their eggs, so it takes at least a couple of weeks to get rid of all of them. That's another reason why the pesticides often used to kill them are so dangerous - they have to remain lethal for several weeks too.

The contents of this EHA website, (i.e. text, graphics, images, and any other material) are for informational purposes only. The contents are thus not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other professionally accredited, qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen on the EHA site.

EHA does not recommend or endorse any treatment, test, procedure, product, opinion, service or other information appearing on this site or any other site to which it may be linked. Reliance on any of the aforementioned is solely at your own risk.