8 tips to get rid of roaches naturally

Last Updated: September 13, 2024

No one wants roaches in their home, but toxic pest killers are bad for the earth and its inhabitants. Here are 8 tips for getting rid of roaches naturally.

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Rent-free guests are the worst, especially when they’re pesky roaches. These tiny creatures will make their presence known — and let you know that they're here for good. If you spot roaches in your home, get rid of them fast before things escalate.

Here are 8 tips to get rid of roaches in your house — naturally.

What drives roaches into your home and garden?

Roaches are annoying pests that infest your home and garden, searching for shelter, food, and water. Although they generally visit places with filth on the ground, having roaches doesn’t mean you have a dirty home.

Cockroaches can contaminate food, cause allergic reactions, or make asthma worse, so getting rid of them as soon as you notice them is important for your health.

Unsure if you have roaches in your home? Watch this video to see what they look like and learn about the different types, including German cockroaches:

What is the best natural home remedy for getting rid of cockroaches?

1. Boric acid

Boric acid is a powerful natural home remedy for getting rid of roaches overnight.

Mix equal amounts of boric acid, flour, and sugar until it becomes a dough-like consistency.

Place small amounts where the roaches can feed on them.

2. Borax

Borax is a powdery substance best known for its laundry boosting power, and it can be used as an alternative method for getting rid of roaches.

Borax is safe for humans and pets in small amounts. Mix equal parts sugar and borax, and spread a light dusting around the area where you’ve seen the pesky bugs.

3. Mothballs

Mothballs act as both moth and mite deterrents. The smell of naphthalene blocks their respiratory system and makes it hard for them to breathe.

Place two or three mothballs in areas where you’ve seen cockroaches.

4. Essential oils

Citrus and peppermint essential oils are great for keeping roaches at bay, since these insects despise those scents. This method works well for getting rid of roaches in an apartment.

Lemon and lemongrass essential oils specifically will drive any cockroach away due to their strong scent of limonene.

Add a couple of drops of citrus or peppermint essential oil to a few cotton balls and lay them around where the roaches in your home congregate. Even more, add a few drops to your mopping water to spread the scent across your rooms.

Image of EarthKind's Stay Away Ants & Cockroaches package

Grove Tip

Try a safe pest product that actually works to get rid of your roach problem.

EarthKind’s Stay Away Ant-Roach pouches release a scent that’s pleasant to humans but offensive to ants and roaches.

The patented pouch delivers slow, long-lasting essential oils reliably, making these bugs stay away!

And, while you’re at it, check out our selection of pest-control products from all of your favorite natural brands.

Shop EarthKind here

How to prevent roaches from getting into your home

Follow these easy tips to keep cockroaches from entering your home in the first place:

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1. Deep clean your home weekly

Keeping your home clean will help keep those roaches — and other little buggers — away.

A thorough weekly cleaning, especially in the kitchen and bathroom, which are popular hangouts for roaches, will also help you understand the degree of your cockroach infestation.

2. Clean up the kitchen each night

Leaving food out or dirty dishes in the sink at night is an open invitation for cockroaches.

Do the dishes, and wipe away crumbs and spills from the counters before you go to bed.

Store food in sealable, air-tight containers, including dry goods you keep in the pantry.

Don’t leave food out at night for any roaches to find and eat. This includes snack remnants in the living room or crumbs under the table.

3. Keep a lid on the garbage can

Keep your garbage can clean and covered with a tight lid to help keep roaches out of your kitchen.

Empty the trash regularly, and never leave anything behind in the can as it may attract roaches and potentially maggots, another worst-of-the-worst pest to have in your home.

4. Seal cracks and holes

Cockroaches are pesky pests that can cause a lot of trouble for homeowners. One way to keep them out of your home is to block all entrances where you suspect they may be entering.

Suspect areas include tiny cracks or holes along baseboards, windows, and service entrances (like cable or pipes) that could provide an opening into your home.

When should you call a pest control company for roaches?

Professional pest control for a heavy roach infestation is a must. A pest control company will likely use harmful chemicals, but they will use them far more responsibly than the average homeowner. Practice good sanitation after pest removal to help prevent the chance of a re-infestation in the future.

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