Roaches may be essential in the food chain, but they have no place in your home. Though they’re common in warm, humid environments like Georgia, they breed rapidly and can quickly infest your space. Cockroaches aren’t just gross either–they’re a health hazard. They carry germs and bacteria, spread diseases, and worsen asthma and allergies. The sooner you eliminate these pests, the happier and healthier you’ll be. Here’s how to get rid of roaches fast!

 

In this blog, we’ll cover these key topics:

• How to identify roaches

• What attracts them and how they invade your home

• Natural and DIY solutions

• When to call a professional

• How to prevent future roach infestation

 

Common Roaches in Georgia

There are numerous species of cockroaches worldwide, but just a few are likely to infest Georgia homes. Certain species can require specific treatments, so it’s important to know how to spot some key characteristics. Here are the roach species you’re most likely to find in your home.

• The American cockroach is the largest and most common in Georgia homes. They’re light brown with light yellow bands behind their heads, but their most identifiable characteristic is their ability to fly short distances. Most active at night, you’ll typically see American cockroaches around water sources like pipes or sewers and in basements, kitchens, and bathrooms.

• The German cockroach is smaller than the American cockroach, but it’s no less destructive. It’s tan with dark brown parallel stripes on the upper thorax. This species is also active at night. German cockroaches produce more eggs than any other species, making infestations a nightmare. You’ll probably find them in your kitchen near food and warm appliances.

• The smoky brown cockroach is a dark reddish-brown color and is larger than the German cockroach. It seeks out Georgia neighborhoods with plenty of mature hardwood trees. Outside, they live inside the holes of these hardwood trees. Once inside, however, you’re most likely to find them in your attic, crawlspace, or shed.

 

What Attracts Roaches?

Cockroaches enter your home in search of four resources: food, water, heat, and shelter. Searching your home for anything that could provide these things will likely answer this question. For instance, leaving unsealed food out and allowing trash to pile up is like giving them an open invitation into your home. Household clutter provides plenty of shelter and hiding spots, and heat-emitting appliances appeal to them. Finally, leaky faucets and pipes are a big draw for pests searching for moisture.

 

How Are Roaches Getting Into My House?

Cockroaches are resourceful and persistent pests that enter your home basically any way they can, including:

• Through small holes and cracks

• By hitching a ride on things you bring inside, like bags and boxes

• Through openings around doors and windows

• Through pipes and holes in shared walls, particularly in apartments and multi-family structures

 

DIY Roach Treatment

Are you looking to do things yourself? There are a few ways to eliminate the occasional, one-off roach that enters your home using widely-available store-bought products. Remember that these DIY roach treatments aren’t practical for getting rid of an infestation, but you can use them in the short term.

• Roach spray: Grocery and home improvement stores usually have many different brands and types of insect spray on their shelves. Some target roaches specifically, while others advertise effectiveness against multiple pests. If you have quick-enough reflexes, you should spray a cockroach directly to kill it.

• Roach glue strips: If you’ve only caught a glimpse of a roach, but it disappeared before you could grab your spray, you can set out glue strips in that spot to monitor roach activity. Glue strips are a non-chemical solution ideal for use behind kitchen appliances and toilets.

• Roach bait: Chemical baits are a more powerful do-it-yourself option that imitates food but includes insecticide. Cockroaches that eat it later die from the poison and potentially spread it to other roaches in the nest, killing them as well. You can set these beneath sinks, stoves, and refrigerators, near garbage cans, inside kitchen and bathroom cabinets, and under baseboards.

• Liquid concentrate: Liquid concentrate for roaches is formulated as a super-concentrated mixture that you dilute with water and then spray around your home. The spray is a roach deterrent used in common hiding spots, including cracks and crevices around your home.

 

Natural Roach Repellants

Store-bought killers and repellants use harsh chemicals. If you want a more gentle way to protect your space, here’s how to repel roaches naturally.

• Cayenne, garlic, and onion powder: Cockroaches can’t tolerate the smell of these spices, and they’ll avoid areas sprinkled with them.

• Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil is an essential oil known for fending off bugs of all kinds. Mix ¼ cup of tea tree oil with two cups of water in a spray bottle and spray it throughout your home.

• Borax and sugar: Combining three parts borax with one part sugar is one of the more effective home remedies to get rid of roaches. Once combined, distribute the mixture around your home to keep the bugs at bay.

• Diatomaceous earth (DE): Diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring sedimentary rock and repellent. You can sprinkle DE powder around your home to dehydrate cockroaches’ exoskeletons upon contact.

• Baking soda: Baking soda is a cheap and effective way to get rid of roaches. For DIY roach bait, dice a handful of onions and sprinkle them with baking soda. The onion smell entices cockroaches, and the baking soda kills them.

 

How Do I Get Rid of Roaches Permanently?

The only surefire way to get roaches out and keep them out is partnering with professional pest control experts like Bug House. Our exterminators have commercial-grade products, professional equipment, and the expertise to eliminate roaches from your home quickly and effectively. Bug House’s certified technicians diagnose your pest problem and implement the treatment that best fits your needs. Once we’ve cleared your home of pests, you can schedule regular pest control services to ensure they never come back.

 

How to Prevent Future Infestations

As we said, scheduling regular pest control service is the most effective way to prevent future pest problems of any kind. Once you’ve arranged regular service, here are some things you can do to help.

• Clean regularly: Vacuum, wash kitchen floors, remove trash, and keep your home free of clutter.

• Manage moisture: Roaches love humidity, so ensure you keep your house free of damp spaces. Bug House offers moisture control solutions that can help!

• Seal food containers: Keep all food sealed properly to eliminate any food source that can attract insects.

• Limit allergen-collecting surfaces: A few problem spots include beds, clothing, and carpet. Not only do these make allergies worse, but they also attract bugs.

 

Bug House Has Your Back

Bug House helps homeowners throughout Georgia get rid of pests and protect their families. Our team offers professional cockroach control services, so you can reclaim your space and get life back to normal. Our technicians are always ready to tackle your bug problems and kickstart an effective, long-term solution for your home.

We proudly serve customers across Georgia with offices in Augusta, Carrollton, Columbus, Dublin, Eastman, Forsyth, Lake Oconee, Macon, Madison, McDonough, Milledgeville, Monroe, Sandersville, Savannah, St. Simons, Warner Robins, and Watkinsville. Contact Bug House today to schedule a free consultation!