What’s the Best Way to Get Rid of Cockroaches at Home?

Cockroachesare one of those pests that can be hard to deal with once they settle into a home. This guide looks at what you can try yourself and when Sydney Pest Control might be worth considering.

Nobody wants to walk into the kitchen at night, turn on the light and see a cockroach running across the bench.

The first thing most people do is grab a spray and deal with the one they can see. Fair enough. But the annoying part is that there are usually more cockroaches hiding somewhere that you can't see.

They might be behind the fridge, under the sink, inside a cupboard or tucked away around pipes and cracks. That's why killing one or two doesn't always make the problem disappear.

So, what actually works?

Start With the Basics

Before reaching for every pest product in the cupboard, have a look at what might be attracting the cockroaches in the first place.

Food scraps, crumbs, rubbish and even a little bit of water can keep them going.

Keep the kitchen benches clean, don't leave dirty dishes sitting around all night and make sure food is put away properly. Check under the sink too. A slow leak might not seem like much to you, but it can provide exactly what cockroaches need.

It doesn't have to mean your house is dirty either. Cockroaches can get into clean homes looking for food, water and somewhere warm to hide.

Have a Look Around the Kitchen

This is usually where I'd start looking.

Move things around and check behind the fridge, oven and other appliances. Look inside cupboards, under the sink and around plumbing.

You might notice little black droppings, a musty smell or even small egg cases. Those are signs that cockroaches may have been around for a while.

Also check around doors, windows and pipes for gaps. If there's an easy way into the house, sealing it can help.

What About Cockroach Spray?

Spray definitely has its place. If you see a cockroach running across the floor, spraying it can deal with that particular cockroach.

The problem is that it doesn't tell you where the others are.

Cockroach baits can be useful because you don't have to find every insect yourself. The cockroach goes to the bait, feeds on it and carries on back into its hiding area.

Just make sure you use these products exactly as the label says, especially if you have children or pets at home.

When Does DIY Stop Being Enough?

This is usually the point where people get frustrated.

You spray the kitchen. You clean everything. You put down some bait. For a few days, things seem better.

Then you see another cockroach.

And then another one.

If that's happening regularly, there could be a bigger infestation hiding somewhere you can't get to. Cockroaches are surprisingly good at disappearing into tiny spaces.

Professional treatment can be worth looking into at this stage, particularly when you've already tried the usual home remedies and they're not getting you anywhere.

Is Professional Cockroach Control Worth the Cost?

It depends on the situation.

For one or two occasional cockroaches, probably not. You may be able to sort that out yourself.

But if you're seeing them all the time, finding them in different rooms or noticing them during the day, it's a different story.

A professional can inspect the property, look for the places cockroaches are coming from and work out where they're hiding. That's often the part that's difficult to do yourself.

There isn't much point killing the cockroaches you can see if the main hiding spot is still untouched.

How Long Does It Take?

There's no single answer because every infestation is different.

If there are only a few cockroaches around, the problem may settle down fairly quickly. A larger infestation can be more stubborn, especially if there are plenty of hiding spots and easy access to food and water.

You may also need to do a bit of follow-up work around the house after treatment.

A Few Things That Can Help Stop Them Coming Back

Once the cockroaches are under control, don't give them an easy reason to return.

Keep food sealed away, clean up spills, empty the rubbish regularly and fix leaking taps or pipes.

It's also worth checking cardboard boxes and packages before bringing them inside. Cockroaches can sometimes hide in places you'd never think to check.

And don't forget the less obvious areas. Behind appliances, inside cupboards and around plumbing can easily get overlooked.

Final Thoughts

There's no magic trick that gets rid of every cockroach overnight.

Proper cleaning, removal of food and water sources, filling in gaps and use of the correct products may be successful for smaller problems.

However, when you find cockroaches keep coming back despite all efforts, there is usually some other reason. They may be breeding or hiding somewhere you simply can't reach.

That's when professional treatment can make more sense than continually buying sprays and hoping the problem goes away.

The sooner you find out where they're coming from, the easier it generally is to deal with the problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I have more than one cockroach?

Seeing cockroaches regularly, finding droppings or noticing them in different parts of the house usually means there may be more hiding nearby. Cockroaches tend to stay out of sight, so seeing one doesn't always mean there's only one.

Where do cockroaches usually hide during the day?

They often hide in dark, warm and quiet places such as behind fridges and ovens, inside cupboards, under sinks, around plumbing and in small cracks or gaps.

Does keeping the kitchen clean get rid of cockroaches?

Keeping the kitchen clean can certainly help by removing food and water sources, but it may not be enough on its own. Cockroaches can still find shelter in tiny gaps and may enter a home even when it is kept very clean.

Are cockroach baits better than sprays?

They work in different ways. A spray can deal with a cockroach you see, while a bait can be taken back to the hiding area. The right option depends on the situation, and products should always be used according to their label instructions.

Why do cockroaches keep coming back after I spray them?

Spraying the cockroaches you see doesn't necessarily deal with the ones hidden in cracks, cupboards, walls or other hard-to-reach areas. If food, water and hiding places are still available, the problem can continue.

When should I consider professional cockroach control?

If you're seeing cockroaches often, finding them in several rooms or still seeing them after trying the usual DIY methods, it may be worth having the property inspected to find out where they're coming from and where they're hiding.