4 useful home remedies to get rid of roaches

4 useful home remedies to get rid of roaches

An insect infestation in the house is not only a nuisance but also a huge hygiene issue that must be addressed immediately. Roaches, in particular, are unsanitary and hide in the tiniest spaces and holes, including the drains. While they are sneaky with their hiding spots, there are a few ways to eliminate them from the home. Find their hiding spaces and then use the following remedies to solve the problem.

Home remedies to kill roaches
Here are a few simple home remedies that can help get rid of roaches at home. These remedies do not need professional assistance and can be used by almost anyone:

Boric acid
To get started with this remedy, mix three ingredients: boric acid, sugar, and water. Use equal quantities of all these and form a dough. Now, take this dough and divide it into small round balls or cylinders. Next, find the hiding spots of the roaches and place them there. The roaches will come to snack on the dough and ingest it. Since the mixture is poisonous to roaches, it will kill them. When the other roaches find them, they will feed on them and, in turn, ingest the poisonous boric acid, suffering the same fate. This way, one ingredient can help curb a roach infestation effectively by killing multiple generations of these pests.

Baking soda
This ingredient is readily available and is used by almost everyone. When roaches ingest baking soda, it produces gasses inside them. These gases cause them to bloat and die. Therefore, baking soda is an effective solution to get rid of roaches. However, these pests usually do not like to eat just baking soda. One way to trap them into eating this ingredient is using table sugar. Take some table sugar and mix it with baking soda on a small plate or a container that is accessible to the roaches. Roaches may also be attracted to onions, so placing onion rings sprinkled with powdered baking soda in their hiding spots can also help. However, do not use this remedy if there are dogs in the house, as onions are toxic to them.

Citrus sprays
Many people love homemade citrus and peppermint sprays as they help freshen up the room. However, these scents are unpleasant to roaches. The smell will drive them away, along with their egg cases. One way to prepare the spray is to mix essential oils (just a couple of drops) with water and spray the solution in various places in the house where roaches usually hide along with their eggs. Another remedy is to add these scents to the water used to mop the floor or wipe the countertop. Use a clean cloth when wiping the walls or tiles with this mix.

Diatomaceous earth
This is a tried and tested ingredient for killing the roaches in the house. Diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring substance, which means it is not toxic to humans or animals. It is made up of the fossilized bodies of sea organisms. Diatomaceous earth has sharp edges that help in cutting insects. Roaches can easily get cut when crawling on top of this powder. The earth also helps dry out the insects’ bodies, making it a must-try remedy.

If someone is looking for solutions other than the home remedies discussed here, they can invest in store-bought treatments or hire professional services to get rid of roaches. Pest control contractors use different products and tools to control an infestation. Here are some ways to tackle the roaches:

Use insect growth regulators to target the eggs and nymphs so that no new roaches enter the house.
Invest in cockroach baits that attract the roaches and then poison them.
Use dust products that scratch and dehydrate the roaches (like diatomaceous earth).

How to prevent roach infestations?
Home remedies and treatments can help get rid of an existing cockroach infestation. However, experts recommend taking steps to prevent the problem from reoccurring in the future:

Sanitize the environment
Clean the house regularly to ensure pests do not find an environment conducive to breeding and reproduction. Roaches, in particular, find the smallest crumbs or food scraps and survive on them for long. They also love to snack from the garbage can, so empty it regularly and prevent it from filling to the brim.

Dry moist areas
Roaches love to breed in wet, moist areas. If there are leaks in the house, such as leaking roofs, vents, or pipes, immediately get them fixed. Use a dehumidifier in rooms that feel too humid. A dehumidifier can also be installed in the basement, which may sometimes develop leaks due to less maintenance.

Check the landscaping
Roaches and pests use the landscaping close to the house to hide. They come out at night and enter the kitchen area, basement, and toilets. So, keep the landscaping a bit further away from the house to avoid easy entry for the pests.

Besides taking preventive steps, it is advisable to speak to a professional about getting pest control done. Homeowners can compare the services of different contractors and get an estimate for the same.

Recommended

Breast cancer – Causes, types, and management

Breast cancer – Causes, types, and management

Cancer that originates in the breast tissue is called breast cancer. It is the second most common cancer among women in the country. The condition is seen in women more than men. Fortunately, advancements in screening and breast cancer treatment have enabled dramatic improvements in survival rates over the years. The symptoms include changes in the texture and shape of the nipples, discharge from the nipples, and a lump in the breast.  Read on to learn the causes, types, and management options of breast cancer.  Causes of breast cancer Breast cancer occurs when abnormal breast cells divide and multiply more rapidly than healthy cells. These abnormal cells accumulate to form a lump or mass. Doctors have not been able to know the exact cause of breast cancer. However, multiple factors can trigger the chances of developing the disease, and they include: Family history and genetics The risk increases if you have parents or close relatives who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Having gene mutations such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, which are passed down from parents to children, also increases the risk. Age The risk of breast cancer increases with advancing age.  Gender The risk of developing breast cancer is higher in women than in men.   Personal history of breast conditions The risk increases when an earlier biopsy has indicated atypical hyperplasia of the breast or lobular carcinoma in situ or if cancer has been detected in one breast.
Read More.
Things to know about chronic kidney disease

Things to know about chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease   occurs when there is a gradual failure of kidney function due to illnesses, genetics, etc. The kidneys’ main role is to filter waste matter and flush out excess bodily fluids, but advanced kidney failure causes fluids, electrolytes, and waste to build up in the body. Various factors must be understood to manage the condition, including the causes, symptoms, prevention tips, and more. Read on to learn more about chronic kidney disease. Causes of chronic kidney disease The main causes of chronic kidney disease are as follows: Diabetes When the body’s sugar levels are too high and become unmanageable, bodily organs stop functioning as normal. The first to be affected are the kidneys, leading to diabetes, which, in turn, affects the nerves, eyes, and heart.   High blood pressure This is when blood pressure against the walls of the blood vessels increases, and can lead to chronic kidney disease, heart attacks, and strokes. Hence, chronic kidney disease can also be caused by uncontrolled high blood pressure.   Genetics Chronic kidney disease can also be passed down through the genes. Therefore if someone in your close family has the condition, it is likely to be passed down to you.   Autoimmune disease Lupus nephritis is an autoimmune disease that causes swelling of the small blood vessels, which are responsible for flushing waste out of the kidneys.  Birth disorder Sometimes, certain malfunctions of the kidneys develop in the mother’s womb and can cause infections and kidney damage later on in the person’s life.   Other causes Kidney stones or tumors can cause kidney damage or failure if not treated in time.  Glomerulonephritis It is a group of diseases that can cause inflammation in the filtering segments of the kidneys.
Read More.