Roaches stick around in many homes. You can cut back or stop them with smart steps. This guide shows ten home tricks. You also see how to use each trick and a plan to keep roaches away.
Why roaches are hard to stop (and what helps)
Roaches breed fast. They hide in tight cracks. They eat little food. Two steps work best: clean your home and treat spots. Health teams say to stop roaches with care. They add that stopping, watching, and targeted work beat heavy sprays. With steady work, many home tricks do work.
10 proven DIY roach control tricks (how to use each)
- Boric acid bait
- It works because boric acid harms roaches when they eat it. It also roughs up their body shell.
- To use it, mix equal parts boric acid and powdered sugar or flour. Dust a thin layer in cabinets, under machines, and at the back of your fridge. Do not make thick piles. Roaches walk over and pick up a little dust on their legs.
- Keep it away from kids and pets. Keep it far from food.
- Food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE)
- DE is a soft powder from ancient algae. It cuts the roaches’ body and dries them out.
- Use food-grade DE. Dust a thin layer in cracks, under machines, and in hidden places. Put on more after you clean or if it gets wet.
- Do not breathe the dust. Use a mask when you spread it.
- Baking soda + sugar bait
- Sugar attracts roaches. Baking soda makes gas in their gut that can kill them.
- Mix baking soda and powdered sugar in equal parts. Place the mix in small cups near where roaches move. Change the mix every few days.
- Gel baits (homemade and store-bought)
- Gel baits have slow poison. Roaches eat and bring the poison back to their nests.
- Put a small drop (about the size of a pea) in cracks, behind machines, and in cupboards. If you make your own, use a little paste of boric acid and sugar.
- Pick types safe for kids and pets. Read the label and follow its tips.
- Soap or soapy water spray
- Soapy water works on roaches on sight. It stops their breathing by breaking the water on them.
- Mix a few spoons of dish soap with water in a spray bottle. Spray the roach when you see it.
- Glue or sticky traps
- The traps catch roaches and help you see where they go.
- Put the traps along walls, under sinks, and near trash. Check them and swap them often.
- Cedar and essential oils (repellents)
- Oils from peppermint, tea tree, and cedar push roaches away.
- Mix 10 to 20 drops of oil with water in a spray bottle. Spray near baseboards, in cracks, and in cupboards. Do this every few days.
- Note: This step pushes roaches away but may not stop a big problem.
- Catnip and traps
- Catnip has a substance that pushes some bugs away.
- Use small sachets of catnip in tight spots or make a catnip spray. How well it works may change. Use it with other tricks.
- Seal cracks and remove hiding spots
- Roaches need small spots to hide. Close gaps and clear clutter to make your home less warm for them.
- Use caulk around pipes, close gaps under doors, fix holes in screens, and keep food in sealed jars. Cut back on cardboard and paper piles.
- Cleaning and watch plan
- Roaches do not grow where there is little food and water.
- Wash dishes right away, wipe off crumbs, empty trash every day, fix leaks, and keep food sealed. Check traps and spots each week.
A simple step-by-step DIY roach plan
- Look: Find spots such as the kitchen, bath, or basement.
- Clean: Wash well and remove bits of food.
- Seal: Cover cracks and block gaps.
- Treat: Put baits (like boric acid or gel) and dust DE in holes.
- Watch: Use sticky traps and check them each week.
- Re-treat: Treat again after 1–2 weeks if roaches show up.
When to pick each trick
- For a few roaches: Use soap spray, glue traps, or oil spray.
- For a small group: Try boric acid bait, DE, baking soda bait, or gel baits.
- For many roaches: Mix baits with help from an expert. If you see many egg cases, young roaches, or live roaches in the day, you face a big problem.
Safety for kids and pets
- Always use food-grade DE and put powders out of reach of kids and pets.
- Boric acid can harm if eaten. Keep it safe and use small amounts in spots hard to reach.
- Oils can hurt pets, especially cats. Do not spray oils where pets lick or groom.
- For chemical gel baits, read the directions and take care.
Why a home plan can sometimes fail
- The right mix may not be used. Thick piles of boric acid or DE are not as good as a fine dust.
- Food and crumbs may still be found.
- Roaches may come back from a neighbor, a drain, or a hidden wall gap.
- Some roaches may learn to live with some poisons. That is why changing and mixing tricks can work better.
When to ask for expert help
If you see many roaches in the day, in many rooms, or many signs of them even after using these steps, call a pest expert. An expert can find hidden nests and plan more work that keeps your home safe.
Official advice
For hints on health and pest work, check the health team’s notes on roaches and health risks.
FAQ — Quick Q&A with word changes
Q: What are the best home tricks for roaches?
A: The best home tricks mix clean work, closing gaps, and precise steps like boric acid bait, food-grade DE, or store gel baits. Sticky traps help you see progress.
Q: Can I do these home steps if I have pets?
A: Yes, if you treat with care. Use options like soap spray and glue traps. Keep boric acid and chemical gels away from pets. Use only food-grade DE and avoid oil sprays near cats.
Q: How fast will I see less roaches?
A: You may see fewer roaches in a few days with bait work. Full control may come in 2–6 weeks. It depends on how many roaches there are and how well you clean and block gaps.
Final list for DIY roach control
- Clean often and remove food and water each day.
- Place baits and DE in thin layers, not thick ones.
- Close gaps and keep clutter small.
- Watch with sticky traps and treat again when needed.
- Know when to ask an expert for extra help.
Keep at these steps with care and time. Your home will soon feel safer and less full of roaches.
