- 1). Remove food particles and seal stored food. Meticulously scour cabinets, floors, counter tops and drawers for crumbs and any food residue. Seal food containers and bags in metal or glass containers. Never leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight. Cockroaches adore dog food; place dog food bags in containers and seal tightly. Remove garbage from the cans regularly and keep the trash cans clean.
- 2). Clean the house and maintain cleanliness. Vacuum and mop the floors regularly. Seal cracks, electrical outlet openings and pipe openings with caulk. Install screens over vents or ducts that open to the outside. Fix leaky pipes and sink faucets. Keep drains clear of water and food waste. Clean the evaporation pan under the refrigerator. Wash the area between the stove and the counter top, which is a common repository for spilled cooked food.
- 3). Use special cockroach traps. These traps contain a small sticky section of cardboard that may include a food attractant. When the cockroach enters the container, the sticky adhesive grabs the pest's legs. Place the sticky traps in areas such as behind the refrigerator, behind a trash can or behind the toilet. These traps will not harm the pets, but be sure to place the traps in inaccessible areas to protect a curious dog or cat from a sticky mess.
- 4). Use boric acid, a very effective, nontoxic powder derived from naturally occurring boron and water. Boric acid is available in convenient squeeze bottles at most home improvement centers. Squeeze a very fine, thin stream of boric acid along areas where cockroaches travel: behind the refrigerator; under kitchen and bathroom cabinets; along cracks and corners in the pantry; and between the stove and cabinets. Do not apply a thick, heavy stream of boric acid, as the cockroaches will avoid it.
- 5). Use nontoxic food-grade diatomaceous earth in the same manner as you apply boric acid. Diatomaceous earth is made from the fossils of diatoms, a unicelluar phytoplankton with sharp, silicone shells. Diatomaceous earth is used for a variety of applications, including swimming pool filtration and in toothpastes. Be sure to purchase only the food-grade diatomaceous earth, which is nontoxic to pets and humans.
previous post