Among the unwanted insects that can visit your home, especially with the arrival of summer, there are obviously cockroaches. And let’s not lie, no one likes coming face to face with these disgusting creatures. Not to mention the fact that they have the art of appearing unexpectedly when you least expect it. Tired of jumping in fear as soon as you come across a cockroach nearby? Coincidentally, toothpaste can easily get rid of it. Quickly discover this judicious trick and other very effective means!
Unexpectedly seeing this dark insect wandering through the hallways, bathroom or kitchen is a common situation in many homes. It is even a real scourge throughout the world, especially in the hot season. Obviously cockroaches cannot bite or sting you, but they carry bacteria that can cause very unpleasant symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea. Above all, keep in mind that cockroaches are omnivores that feed on all leftover food. They are particularly attracted to food, waste, grease and all food residues. They love heat and humidity. Inevitably, they find their happiness in homes. Therefore, to avoid an invasion of cockroaches, your interior must be perfectly clean and free of dirt.
How to use toothpaste to banish cockroaches from your home?
Who would have thought, but a simple tube of toothpaste can save the day. As a bonus, this pest control option is accessible to all and inexpensive. It is a perfect alternative to toxic substances.
You should know that some types of toothpaste contain borax, a powerful teeth whitening agent. But it is also known to be the best cockroach repellent, as its composition is similar to that of boric acid. The latter is a popular pesticide that effectively fights these parasites. This is why you should avoid ingesting this product while brushing your teeth, especially children’s teeth.
This toothpaste is therefore quite capable of killing cockroaches. However, to achieve this, these insects would have to come closer and eat it. But they will not be attracted to it: the paste must then mix with more attractive bait such as food. It is therefore necessary to spread toothpaste around the food that cockroaches cannot resist. Try to scatter a few in the areas where they appear most often.
Good to know : Some mouthwashes like Listerine can eliminate it. Their composition is made up of essential oils, including eucalyptol which gives off a strong odor capable of asphyxiating cockroaches. Mix a little mouthwash with water and dish soap. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray it on different areas of the house.
Other natural cockroach repellents
- Garlic and onion powder
There is no need to look very far or spend too much on chemicals. Take a look in your pantry for natural solutions to banish cockroaches. You may not know it, but garlic and onion are favorite repellents. Walk around your house and sprinkle all roach-prone areas with this spice blend. Since they can’t stand the smell, make sure they evacuate the premises!
- tea tree oil
Also bet on the repellent power of essential oils! Like tea tree oil, known for its ability to repel insects of all kinds. To repel cockroaches, make this homemade mixture in a spray bottle and spray the solution throughout your home:
- 1/4 cup tea tree oil
- 2 cups of water
How to keep cockroaches away from your kitchen naturally?
As you can imagine, the kitchen is a favorite place for cockroaches as it is full of food and food waste. It is therefore a question of always keeping it clean to prevent their invasion. But it is also important to take some precautions throughout the house so that cockroaches no longer wander there to access the kitchen.
Here are some tips to prevent infestation:
- Seal all their hiding places
As you know, unfortunately there are many cracks and crevices in homes. These are ideal hiding places for all cockroaches. These include electrical sockets, cardboard boxes, lamps and even cable holes. Always check around your appliances, where they are most likely to hide, and try to block all those holes so cockroaches stay away.
- Keep your home cool
Cockroaches like warm weather, so if you keep your home cool regularly, they won’t be as active. Sure, they won’t go away, but the horrible cockroaches won’t be able to fly so easily anymore, because the cold air makes it much harder to use their muscles. What does this anxiety of seeing them jump everywhere save you!
- Avoid leaving food lying around on tables and floors
Try as much as possible not to leave plates of food on the tables or food scraps around the house. We understand that it’s not always that simple – difficult to sweep away all the bread or cookie crumbs. But the less food is spread around the house, the more cockroaches will disappear from your field of vision. If you only eat in certain areas of the house and make sure these areas are cleaned regularly and thoroughly, this can prevent cockroaches from invading.
- Use a natural repellent
As mentioned above, cockroaches are very sensitive to particular odors. Take advantage of the fact that they hate certain smells to use as many herbs and essential oils as possible in different ways around the house. On the menu: cedar oil, peppermint oil, cypress oil, chopped bay leaves or rosemary, coffee grounds, etc. There is no shortage of choice to scare them! A formidable mix? Combine the boric acid with the icing sugar. You will hunt them down once and for all.
- Set up natural traps
But yes, it exists! As with mice, you can purchase some traps or devices available in hardware stores, such as the famous sticky substance that captures cockroaches and kills them. All these tools are very economical and can be placed in different places in the house.