3 Common Kitchen Pests To Watch Out For

3 Common Kitchen Pests To Watch Out For

What are the common kitchen pests to watch out for?

  1. Ants
  2. Cockroaches
  3. Rodents

The kitchen is the place where food is prepared. Where there is food around, there is the risk of pests attraction, especially if pests have easy access to your kitchen. Whether it’s a kitchen in your home, restaurant, office, or school, it’s important to know the common kitchen pests to watch out for. Take steps to prevent annoying, damaging, and costly pest infestions by implementing high standards of sanitation and hygiene. Keep on reading to learn more!

 

Ants

Ants

Ants are one of the most common household pests, and they can be commonly found in the kitchen. Ants are known for liking the sugar content of food, which is why you might find them near sweet foods, such as syrups! Since these pests need water, they might also be found near the sink. 

 

Here are some of the reasons why you might find them in your kitchen:

  • Having sugary and sticky food items
  • Excess moisture source
  • Improperly stored food
  • Uncovered garbage

 

Unfortunately, ants are capable of causing food contamination and spreading diseases like Salmonella, ​​E. coli, and Shigella. For this reason, you don’t want ants to come and go in your kitchen, especially if you have a food business.

 

Ants leave scent trails behind when they go through places as this allows them to follow each other. That’s why you will often see them walk in lines. You can follow the trail to find out where they’re coming from. You’ll need the help of a pest management team to find and get rid of the ant colony. 

 

Cockroaches

Cockroaches

Cockroaches can be found in poorly cleaned and sanitized kitchens, and can be a reason for your health code violation if you’re managing a restaurant. But how do they get into your kitchen? 

 

Here are some of the things that can attract cockroaches:

  • Food debris
  • Moisture
  • Clutter
  • Warmth and heat

 

Cockroaches can hitchhike in deliveries and also get inside holes that give them access to your kitchen. They look for a steady supply of food and water to survive. Cockroaches are problematic because they can spread disease-causing pathogens. Their droppings can leave dark stains and trigger asthma attacks, too. 

 

One of the most effective ways to prevent a cockroach infestation is to properly store food and practice proper cleaning. If you already have a cockroach problem, a pest management team can help you solve the problem effectively. 

 

Rodents

Rodents

Mice and rats are commonly found in kitchens since they’re also enticed by food and nesting options in this area! They can climb and squeeze themselves into small openings to get into your kitchen. Whether it’s through holes or gaps in walls, floors, or windows, they will find a way to get in for the following reasons:

 

  • Food and water source
  • Food debris
  • Nesting location

 

Some of the usual food sources of rodents in your kitchen include grains, rice, and cereal which can be found in your cupboards. However, they don’t have a preference of where they will get their food from, so garbage is just fine too. Rodents also attracted to dark and damp areas, so they might gather under the sink. 

 

Urine and feces from rodents can be a cause of food and water contamination. Rodents can also spread pathogens, such as leptospirosis and salmonella. Rodents also carry smaller pests with them, such as ticks, fleas, and mites. They like to gnaw and can cause damage to your kitchen. 

 

To get rid of rodents in your kitchen, store all food properly and get rid of nesting materials, such as cardboard, paper, fabric, or rugs. Seal entry points so they can’t come in. Pest control teams will help you remove rodents if you have an infestation. 

 

Key Takeaway

 

These common kitchen pests to watch out for may be small or look harmless, but they can cause many problems for you and others, such as contaminating food and water, spreading diseases, and causing damage to property! 

 

The three things that will attract them to your kitchen are food, water, and a place for nesting, so make sure to implement higher standards when it comes to hygiene and sanitation and seal all entry points!

 

If you presently have a pest infestation in your kitchen, call us here at Topbest, so we can help you! As an experienced pest control and management company, we only use safe and effective methods to get rid of pests for good. We also offer FREE pest consultation in the Philippines. 

Where Do Cockroaches Live?

Where Do Cockroaches Live

Where do cockroaches live?

  1. Garbage cans
  2. Under sinks
  3. In appliances and furniture
  4. Closets and cabinets
  5. Basements
  6. Clutter

 

Cockroaches are one of the most adaptable and resourceful pests that you can have in your home. Due to their size and their ability to squeeze in through tiny gaps, they can live almost anywhere—as long as there is access to food and water. According to https://www.midamericapest.com/where-we-service/tulsa-ok-pest-control, that means these pests can live in your home without you knowing. If you’re finding their eggs everywhere, you might be confused about where they’re hiding. If you want to answer where do cockroaches live, keep on reading! If you need pest control in Salt Lake City, click here to get the best services.

Under Sinks

Cockroaches thrive in dark and hidden places. They can live for long periods without food but they need to drink water to survive. This is why they’re attracted to places that can give them a steady supply of water. One of these is found under your sink area—especially if you have leaky pipes. Aside from moisture, this place also allows them to hide undisturbed. Some species of cockroaches can also hold their breath for more than half an hour when submerged in water.

If you have broken pipes, have them fixed as soon as possible as they can attract cockroaches into your home. Remove water sources such as dishwashing sponges, brushes, and more.

 

Garbage Cans

Garbage Cans

Garbage cans are one of the places where cockroaches like to explore because it gives them direct access to food and water. As these pests like humidity and darkness, they might also live in these containers.

If you don’t want to attract cockroaches into your home, make sure to seal your garbage bins with a lid. Empty it often and clean any leftover spills and food scraps on the container. This is also applicable to trash cans outside your home.

 

In Appliances and Furniture

Because cockroaches like dark places, it’s also no surprise that they’re willing to live inside your appliances and furniture. As they can squeeze in tight gaps with no problem, you might find them underneath your couch or in crevices on your refrigerator.

Try to include your appliances in your cleaning regime. Vacuum your furniture to suck in any eggs that cockroaches might have laid. Be careful when purchasing pre-owned couches because these might also bring in pests to your home.

 

Closets and Cabinets

Closets and Cabinets

There’s a reason why your mother used to put mothballs into your clothing cabinets. Other than moths, these round objects contain scents that cockroaches don’t like. It is also often placed under the sink to keep off different types of bugs.

Cockroaches like to explore cabinets and closets, especially you don’t use them often. This is why you might find the remains of a cockroach egg if you decided to rummage through your storage for seasonal clothing. Clean your closets from time to time to prevent pests from making it their home. Or better yet, you could declutter clothes that you haven’t used in years.

 

Basements

If you’re like most people, then you probably don’t check your basement often. Instead, it’s left alone for a long time unless you need something. This is why it’s one of the top places where a cockroach infestation might develop. Other than being a dark place, basements are warm and cozy places for these pests too.

The best way to prevent cockroaches and other pests from invading your basement is to seal openings. If you can, lower the humidity in the area to deter these bugs. Make sure to keep it clean as these pests also love clutter.

 

Clutter

Clutter

Clutter serves as a place where cockroaches can hide. If you have a stack of cardboard, magazines, and papers, these pests can squeeze in and make these their breeding place. You might not notice it until you see their eggs while you’re browsing an old magazine.

It’s not their main source of food, but a cockroach can also feed on the glue used or the material of the cardboard itself. If it’s wet, it also provides them a source of hydration.

 

Key Takeaway

Due to their size, cockroaches can live hidden from your view. They can be found in dark, damp, and undisturbed places where they’re left to breed and cause an infestation.

If you’re still wondering where do cockroaches live in your home, you can call a pest control expert such as Topbest! We can help you find the root cause of an infestation and provide short and long-term solutions to fix the problem.

4 Ways to Get Rid of Cockroaches in Kitchen Cabinets

4 Ways to Get Rid of Cockroaches in Kitchen Cabinets

What are the different ways to get rid of cockroaches in kitchen cabinets?

  1. Use borax powder
  2. Place a bowl of powdered sugar
  3. Spray with water and soap
  4. Remove sources of food and water

 

For residential and commercial pest control, a cockroach infestation is perhaps one of the most difficult to address. For one they’re extremely difficult to catch and get rid of. It may need a few more insecticide sprays before a single roach will stop squirming. When spotted in the kitchen, these nasty pests can spread whatever harmful bacterial or even parasites they’re carrying. If you’re thinking about ways to get rid of cockroaches in your kitchen cabinets, but don’t know where to begin, this guide lists some of the most effective methods.

A cockroach presence is not only unsightly but also cumbersome to deal with. Apart from chewing into sweets, cardboard, paper, or any food source, cockroaches can also be disease spreaders. The key to stopping them from proliferation or preventing an infestation altogether is to target the source and be strategic about pest control strategies. Read on to learn more.

 

Use Boric Acid Powder

Use Boric Acid Powder

Boric acid powder is mainly used as a detergent, hand soap, or fertilizer for plants. It’s a naturally occurring chemical that’s found in fruits and vegetables such as apples, bananas, nuts, or even during the fermentation process of beer.

In cockroach pest control, boric acid is also known as one of the fastest ways to get rid of these pests. When a cockroach comes into contact with the powder, it sticks to them, no matter where they may scurry off to. To get rid of the powder, the cockroaches must clean themselves, inevitably ingesting the boric acid compound, and killing them instantly.

Sprinkle the boric acid powder in different locations in your kitchen cabinets, like the ones when you read this guide here, for best results. You may also have your cabinets cleaned with this substance, as it can also help get rid of tough stains and remove odors.

 

Place a Bowl of Powdered Sugar and Baking Soda Solution

Cockroaches will consume anything sweet, which makes a powdered sugar and baking soda solution another thing you can use to get rid of them. Compared to pesticides which can be harmful to humans, pets, and the environment, this alternative is much safer and does not pose any threats to any other living thing than these pests.

The sweet scent of powdered sugar mixed with baking powder is enough to get cockroaches out of hiding. To make your own solution, you’ll need the following materials: a small bowl or dish, powdered sugar, and baking soda powder. Follow these steps:

  1. Mix equal amounts of powdered sugar and baking soda into the dish. This will serve as the bait.
  2. Fill a small bowl with water and place it near the other dish.
  3. Place them in kitchen cabinets, cupboards, countertops, pantries, or anywhere cockroaches are present.
  4. Replenish the mixture every few days and clean up any dead roaches that you find.

 

Spray with Water and Soap

Spray with Water and Soap

Although using only simple ingredients, this cockroach control remedy packs enough punch to kill roaches and get them away from your kitchen cupboards in no time at all. Similar to the boric acid solution and powdered sugar mixture, water and soap are relatively harmless and won’t emit toxic chemicals in your kitchen.

Any mild hand soap or liquid soap will do. Combine the soap foam with equal parts of water and then transfer it inside a medium-sized spray bottle. As part of your routine kitchen/dining room maintenance, spray the solution on shelves, tables, countertops, or any surface. Cockroaches will be deterred by the scent, ensuring that dry food items like canned goods, chips, bread, rice, oatmeal, and the like, will be safe from contamination.

 

Remove Sources of Food and Water

The best way to keep roaches out of your kitchen cabinets is to directly remove the food source attracting them — snacks, fresh produce, bread, oats, or what have you. Place them inside the refrigerator instead to put them out of harm’s way, as well as prolong the freshness.

An alternative you could do is to remove the food from its original packaging and transfer them to sealed and water-tight containers. This is good practice to retain the quality of dry food products and extend their shelf life without being affected by pests.

 

Key Takeaway

Cockroaches are some of the most invasive and destructive pests in homes and buildings. Aside from being difficult to spot and exterminate, they can also contaminate food and cause destruction to property in any kitchen space.

Fortunately, there are different ways to get rid of cockroaches in kitchen cabinets. In this guide, you’ve learned about 4 of these methods. From dusting with simple boric acid powder and removing potential sources of food, these remedies can prevent cockroaches from wreaking havoc in the kitchen.

5 Tips On How to Get Rid of Cockroach Eggs

Follow The Safety Precautions Before Cleaning

How do you get rid of cockroach eggs?

  1. Seek out dark and humid areas of your home
  2. Kill the eggs with diatomaceous earth
  3. Prevent cockroach mothers from reproducing
  4. Maintain a clean and hygienic home
  5. Get professional help from a pest control company

 

If you have seen brown or reddish elongated eggs as small as 5 centimeters on nooks and crannies of your home, then you probably have a cockroach infestation. This is because these small cases are known as oothecae, which are the embryos of these pests. In some cases, you would even see cracked shells which indicate that their population might be growing. If you’re unsure how to get rid of cockroach eggs and when to call pest control services, keep on reading!

 

Seek Out Dark and Humid Areas of Your Home

If you want to know where to find cockroach eggs, you should think like one. The reason you can find them in the kitchen and bathroom frequently is that these pests need water other than food. Other than that, they also prefer dark and forgotten areas such as kitchen counters and cabinets where they won’t be disturbed.

Because cockroaches lay eggs in their shelters, you might want to check out the following places:

  • Under sinks
  • Inside cabinets and drawers
  • In crawl spaces
  • Wall cracks and crevices
  • Near trash cans
  • Places accessible to plumbing

Other than these, cockroaches are also attracted to absorbent materials such as cardboard and wood because they can leave their pheromones here for communication.

 

Kill The Eggs with Diatomaceous Earth

Close up group cockroach dead on white background

When you’re inspecting these areas, you might have already found a few eggs, if not cockroaches themselves! In some cases, some species of this pest will also lay their embryo collectively with other cockroach mothers.

When you do find cockroach eggs, you can stomp on them and dispose of them afterward. Although this method is unpleasant and nasty, it provides you with the fastest way to get rid of them.

Another method you can try is by spreading diatomaceous earth on the eggs and the area surrounding them. This is a non-toxic dust that kills the embryo by dehydrating them slowly. If the young cockroaches do hatch, they would eventually die in the dust too.

 

Prevent Cockroach Mothers from Reproducing

While the remaining diatomaceous earth will eventually kill any roaming cockroaches around the area, you can also try boric acid for preventive maintenance. By targeting the mother, you will stop any possibility of getting the egg cases made. After all, these contain as many as 40 young cockroaches inside!

This is because when you spread it in the area—whether in dust or gel form—any cockroach that will go through the acid will carry it in their bodies. When they decide to groom themselves, they will ingest the acid and eventually die. Because roaches are cannibalistic, the dead cockroach will act like the poison the will kill their family members.

Just remember to not use boric acid near food preparation areas because it is a pesticide, although it comes with low toxicity.

 

Maintain A Clean and Hygienic Home

Cropped view of woman cleaning house with mop and bucket

After getting rid of the cockroach mothers that produce the eggs, the next best thing you can do is to make your home unattractive to these pests! To do that, you should go back to the beginning and think like these insects.

With exposed snacks in the kitchen and leaky faucets as a source of water, cockroaches will find other places to live in. Because of this, the greatest thing you can do for your home is to keep it clean.

Aside from that, you should also seal any cracks and crevices on door frames and windows to get rid of all the entry points for cockroaches.

 

Get Professional Help from A Pest Control Company

If you have done everything on this list without signs of the cockroach infestation decreasing, it might be the right time to look for professional assistance. This is because cockroaches can flatten themselves to fit in nooks and crannies in your home and make hidden shelters you may not know about.

That’s why if you’re desperate, don’t resort to insecticide sprays or bug bombs because this endangers you and your family’s health when inhaled. In worst-case scenarios, it can even result in fires!

Because of that, your best bet is a professional pest control company that can help you with an integrated pest management plan! Aside from getting rid of the present infestation, they can also give you directions to prevent these insects from ever coming back.

 

Key Takeaway

The reddish-brown egg cases you see might not be harmful while it still hasn’t hatched but it can dramatically increase the number of pests at your home or office. That’s why if you want to know how to get rid of cockroach eggs, you can contact Topbest! With safe and effective treatment strategies to get rid of these pests, we will help you remove all traces of this insect from your home.

If you’re interested, you can click here for a free pest control consultation from our experienced staff!

4 Home Remedies for Cockroach Control

Dead cockroach on floor

What are some home remedies for cockroach control?

  1. Conduct thorough cleaning
  2. Cockroach traps
  3. Chemical baits
  4. Diatomaceous earth

 

If you’re looking for cockroach control home remedies, then chances are there’s already an infestation at your home. These pests are some of the most destructive — next to termites. Not only does their presence create an unsightly environment, but they may also be carriers of diseases that can cause physical discomforts, allergies, or even fatal diseases.

Fortunately, you don’t have to despair when it comes to getting rid of these vermin. Some effective home remedies include: Conducting thorough cleaning, placing cockroach traps, chemical baits, diatomaceous earth, and the like. Of course, when your infestation has already worsened to the point of no return, you also have the option of calling your local pest control service.

As much as possible, these measures should be preventive. Read on to learn how you can effectively practice them to get rid of cockroaches once and for all.

 

Conduct Thorough Cleaning

Woman cleaning the house

Cockroaches thrive in warm environments, especially in tropical locations such as the Philippines. In order to facilitate their survival, they have to rely on food sources such as leftover food, crumbs, garbage, pet food, and the like. To prevent your home from harboring these pesky creatures, the first step is to conduct a thorough cleaning of all the areas in your house.

First, you’ll need to start with the most easily-soiled locations, like the kitchen, dining room, or bathroom. Before, during, and after meal preparation, for example, make sure that food scraps are properly thrown in a waste disposal bin. Avoid leaving out any scraps on the table or in the sink, as these could attract the cockroaches.

For your dining area, on the other hand, make sure that every surface is free from grime or grease. When not in use, wipe each countertop, stove, table, and chair with an all-purpose cleaner. Make sure there is no residue or bits and pieces of food left.

In the bathroom, as well as other general areas inside the house, it’s a good habit to dust, clean, and mop every day, if possible. Sanitize every surface with the right cleaning implements and organize the space to ensure proper sanitation.

 

Cockroach Traps

Another effective roach control practice that you can do is to place cockroach traps in different locations around your home. These can easily be purchased in your local hardware, supermarket, and department stores at a low cost — make sure to buy as many as you need to get all areas of your house covered.

Place cockroach traps in strategic locations, such as the kitchen, dining area, living room, or even your bedroom. These traps don’t take a long time to set up: Simply leave the adhesive surface facing upright and wait at the end of the day to inspect if there are any pests that fell prey to them.

 

Chemical Baits

Dead cockroach on floor

Similar to cockroach traps, you can also purchase chemical baits that are just as effective. Many homeowners usually practice this technique in combination with other tips to get the best results.

The formulation for chemical baits is similar to popular insecticides in the market, but they’re easier to use for two reasons: One is that you don’t have to move around the house yourself just to simply catch the cockroaches in action. Second is, you only need to lie in wait until the bait attracts these pests.

A cockroach chemical bait contains a food-based substance — which attracts the cockroaches — as well as slow-acting insecticides. Once ingested, it will take only a few seconds until a minute until the cockroaches get poisoned and die.

 

Diatomaceous Earth

If you prefer natural and toxic-free remedies for your home, then the diatomaceous earth is the most suitable choice. It’s a powder-like compound that contains natural ingredients such as silica and diatoms — made out of fossilized animal remains. This product isn’t difficult to find and is oftentimes sold in hardware or even online shops.

Diatomaceous earth products may have different recommendations when it comes to the application, but it typically involves spreading the substance using a teaspoon in the affected area. Aside from cockroaches, this substance can also kill a vast range of other bugs and insects like bed bugs, fleas, silverfish, ants, and the like.

Set out the powder in such a way that it forms a line. Pests will instantly die upon contact with the powder. For best results, avoid vacuuming the powder or dusting it off.

 

Key Takeaway

In this guide, you’ve found out some of the cockroach control home remedies that are effective against this, and other types of pests. As mentioned before, using these techniques in combination without the other is a good practice. Consistently practice them and you’ll soon have a cockroach-free home.

Need to exterminate cockroaches and other pests in your home? Topbest Philippines’ team of pest control service personnel can get the job done for you. Click here to get a free consultation!

Roach Pet? The Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

Roach Pet The Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

What should you know about the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach?

  • Background of Madagascar hissing cockroach
  • Caring for the Madagascar hissing cockroach
  • Signs of a healthy cockroach

 

When most people think of cockroaches, they immediately think of getting rid of them. These insects have become synonymous with dirty surroundings and disease-ridden insects. They’ve basically become the sign that somewhere near you is incredibly dirty. Because of this, pest control services have always been called upon to eliminate them.

However, there is one species of cockroach that stands out from the rest simply because they act so much like typical pets. The Madagascar Hissing Cockroach is one of the rarer kinds of cockroaches that aren’t afraid of being petted by humans. Check out this interesting species of roaches!

 

Background of Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

Background of Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

The Madagascar hissing cockroach is one of around 20 species of large cockroaches found in Madagascar—some of which are usually kept as exotic pets. They have no wings, have a relatively hard exoskeleton, and are reddish brown to black in color. To compensate for the lack of wings, they have evolved to be amazing climbers, being able to latch onto glass walls.

Unlike the typical cockroaches that would rather move away from threats such as humans, these are relatively docile and wouldn’t mind being petted or being picked up by hand. They are called “hissing” cockroaches because they hiss in a variety of their activities.

They hiss when they feel threatened, when males fight against other males, or when males court females. Colonies of these cockroaches hiss in unison, though the reason why they do it remains unclear.

 

Caring for the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

Caring For The Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches are the type of cockroach that forages for their food. They don’t eat anything rotten, in fact, they usually ignore decaying food. When you see this type of cockroach, keep in mind that they should be fed a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.

You can also feed them pellet foods such as dry dog food. Most of the time, these cockroaches like eating carrots, oranges, apples, bananas, and tomatoes—they seem to like the more colorful fruits and vegetables.

For their water source, make sure that you provide them with a shallow dish that has some absorbent material in the bottom to prevent them from drowning or getting stuck in the bowl.

They should be kept in a habitat where they can comfortably move around and do their day-to-day activities. Make sure that the habitat emulates its natural environment to a certain extent, that means putting in non-toxic plants, a few branches, logs, and cork bark. It is also advisable to prioritize keeping it in a highly humid area.

Keep in mind that these cockroaches are nocturnal and thus they don’t need any kind of lighting. If you want to view them, it’s highly encouraged that you use a nocturnal or infrared light.

 

Signs of a Healthy Cockroach

Signs Of A Healthy Cockroach

Madagascar hissing cockroaches are not your everyday kitchen scuttling roaches. They move slow and eat only fresh plants. They’re hardy creatures, and they almost never get diseases of their own. The only thing that you have to look out for is dehydration.

You can easily see if the cockroach is dehydrated when its exoskeleton is shriveled up. Just bring it some water and let it rest for a while and it can be as good as new.

When it’s your first time seeing one of these cockroaches, one way of checking if they’re healthy is if it hisses at you when you first touch it (as long as it’s not dehydrated). It is great to see these insects in their natural habitat so if you are interested to know more about them or you are just overcoming your fear of cockroaches, then you should consider checking out the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach.

 

Key Takeaway

It is interesting to know more about the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach for people who are trying to get over a fear of these insects. Given that its behavior will also never cause you to avail the services of pest control, but common cockroaches will! At the first sign that these insects are invading your home, contact your trusted pest control provider immediately.

Pest Control: Best Way to Get Rid of Roaches

Pest Control Best Way to Get Rid of Roaches

What are the best ways to get rid of roaches?

  • Baking soda and sugar solution
  • Boric Acid
  • Lemon juice
  • Soap and Water Solution or Fabric Softener Mix

 

Cockroaches are a nuisance to us. They seem to randomly pop out from every corner of our home. Before calling your local pest control service to get rid of them, you can use some of our cockroach-eliminating concoctions! Here are some of the best ways to get rid of roaches:

 

Baking Soda and Sugar Solution

Baking soda and sugar solution

Baking soda and sugar solution is a simple yet effective solution to exterminating cockroaches in your home. Though not as quick as the boric acid solution, baking soda and sugar will do the job in decreasing and eliminating the population of cockroaches in your home.

Baking soda and sugar are the most readily available ingredients that can be found in every store. What you’ll need is a 50/50 mix of baking soda and sugar. You could even add syrup or honey to make the formula more attractive for cockroaches, as well. Once you’ve concocted the solution, leave it a dark secluded area in a shallow pot or jar and wait for the cockroaches to feast on the deadly trap.

Once the mixture is digested by the cockroach, it will slowly kill them. It may take hours for them to die after consuming the solution. The sugar (or any sweet ingredient added) will attract the cockroaches, and the baking soda will do its job from their digestive track.

 

Boric Acid

You can make your own boric acid by mixing three-parts borax and one-part sugar, though you may purchase commercial boric acid from stores. This is one of the most effective ways to get rid of roaches. There are a handful of things that cockroaches are resilient to, but boric acid isn’t one of them.

Boric acid is poisonous and it’s one of the best traps to ensure the death of cockroaches invading your home. Boric acid is best placed in areas that cockroaches frequently run off to, like under the refrigerator or in a tight dark space in your room. The idea is to have the cockroaches come into contact with the boric acid.

The boric acid dehydrates the exoskeleton of the cockroach and once the cockroach attempts to clean its antennae or appendages, they will ingest the boric acid which will kill the roaches in a matter of minutes.

 

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice

This solution isn’t fatal for cockroaches, but it keeps them away from your home. As most of us know, lemon juice is one of the best ingredients for eliminating grease, stains, and gunk in the surfaces of your home. But another amazing thing that lemon juice does is it has the ability to repel cockroaches.

Lemon or any citrus fruit contains anti-pathogenic properties that cockroaches hate and won’t even come close to. All you’ll need is water and lemon. The proportions will be up to you. It’s best to have more lemon than water in the mixture to make it more effective.

The pungent smell will repel any cockroach from even coming close to the applied area. Not only effective for its cleaning properties but also for its ability to keep roaches away. Cleaning your house with this solution will keep you from having to call your local pest control from visiting your house now and then. This common repellent can keep many common pests in the Philippines away from your humble abode.

 

Soap and Water Solution or Fabric Softener Mix

This is one of the best non-toxic methods against one of the most famous common pests in the Philippines, cockroach. Another commonly used household solution is to sanitize your home is a great way to get rid of cockroaches. Soap and water solution or a fabric softener mix can act as an alternative to chemical-based insect repellents.

It does the job just as well too. Soap and water may seem undeadly at all. We use it every day to clean ourselves, but when the body of a cockroach comes into contact with soap, the effects can be fatal.

This is because cockroaches breathe through their skin. When the soap comes into contact with their skin, it’ll block their respiratory orifice and suffocate them. To make this, you’ll need to mix three-parts of soap with two parts water. Put the solution in a spray bottle, and you’ll have one fragrant cockroach repellent in your hands.

 

Key Takeaway

There are many effective ways to get rid of cockroaches and using these solutions and mixtures can make it much easier for you to exterminate them without having to put too much effort in trying to squish every cockroach you see. We’ve presented some natural alternatives to chemical-based cockroach repellents to keep your house’s environment pet and child-friendly.

Eco-Friendly Pesticides to Use at Home

homemade insecticides

Often, pesticides contain chemicals that can be harmful to you or your family’s health. However, products like these are essential – especially in the Philippines – for controlling termite and cockroach infestation. Still, it would be nice if pesticide formulators and manufacturers can create a product that will prevent deadly pests from residing in your property without harming your loved ones.

However, if those products are not available in the market, do not worry. You can always contact a professional pest control company. These experts are skilled in eliminating harmful insects and rodents as safely and efficiently as possible. But if you do not have the time or funds to schedule an appointment right now, do not fret, here are eco-friendly DIY pesticides that you can temporarily use to keep those pesky pests at bay!

Garlic Spray

One of the eco-friendly pest killers that you can prepare at home is the garlic spray. Its pungent odor will make your home an undesirable place for insects, like mosquitoes, to stay and lay their eggs on. Do not worry about the garlicky smell wafting in the air after spraying it because the odor will not last long.

Ingredients:

  • 120 g / 4.2 oz. fresh garlic
  • 2 tbsp. mineral oil
  • 20 g / 0.7 oz. natural soap powder
  • ½ liter water
  • Spray bottle

Steps:

  1. Get some garlic and chop it into small pieces.
  2. Mix it with mineral oil, natural soap powder, and water.
  3. Afterwards, pour the mixture into an open container.
  4. Leave the concoction for 2 days and then strain it.
  5. Pour the strained mixture into a spray bottle.
  6. Spray it in areas where there are pest infestations.

 

spray bottle

Hot Pepper Wax

This homemade repellent deters spider mites, aphids, whiteflies, lace bugs, and other pests from come inside your property. The hot pepper wax is safe to use inside your home, even if have indoor plants, and on your garden. 

Ingredients:

  • 6 peppers (habanero, Anaheim or cayenne)
  • 2 cups of water
  • Cheesecloth or Paper Coffee Filter

Steps:

  1. Put six (6) peppers and 2 cups of water in a blender.
  2. Blend the peppers and water at high speed.
  3. After blending, put the mixture into a closed container.
  4. Leave it for 24 hours.
  5. Put a cheesecloth or paper coffee filter through the strainer.
  6. Strain the mixture into a clean 1-quart glass jar.
  7. Fill up the jar with top water.
  8. Spray it into areas where there are pests. 

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/barbcrawford/402739799

Neem Oil Spray

Neem, which originated in India, is a powerful plant that is sometimes used as a medicine for skin diseases. However, do you know that it is also powerful in keeping pests away? The neem oil spray can block an insect’s life cycle as this DIY pesticide can make them lose their appetite after several days.

Ingredients:

  • ½ oz. high-quality organic neem oil
  • ½ tsp. of mild organic liquid soap

Steps:

  1. Mix the high-quality organic neem oil and mild organic liquid soap and stir slowly.
  2. Then, pour the mixture into a spray bottle.
  3. Spray it into the areas where there are pests.

Try any of these DIY pesticides to see which can help keep pests away from your home. However, you should remember that the effects of products like these are only short-term. If you want something more long-term, then you should contact an expert. Professional pest control companies can help you effectively manage your pest issues.