How to deal with cockroaches in an apartment, the best remedy for cockroaches

Cockroaches are very tenacious creatures that are unpretentious to their living conditions. However, they are comfortable living next to a human home, but even better - inside. Uninvited guests love the comfort of cockroaches - warm, humid places with food present.

Variety of anti-cockroach products

Cockroaches are not an indicator of uncleanliness in the house. They can be brought from another home, a trip, even by mail along with a parcel. But most often they “come” themselves from the basement, entrance, from neighbors, or appear with new things in the house.

It is impossible to maintain perfect cleanliness every day, and cockroaches will quickly find crumbs and water on the floor. Physiology allows them to survive for several weeks without food, or to feed on paper, leather, wood or even fabric.

They can pretend to be dead. If you find a cockroach that is not showing signs of life, do not rush to throw it in the trash. You should flush it down the toilet to get rid of the parasite for sure.

What types of cockroaches are there?

There are several thousand species of longhorned beetles in the world. In apartments in our country you can find two types: the most common is red (Prussian) and black (kitchen).

Cockroaches living in apartments and houses: Prusak and black

The Prusak has a size of 1.3 - 1.5 cm and can go without food for up to 40 days. The kitchen one is twice as large, up to 3 cm in length and can live without food for up to 70 days.

Everyone knows about their resistance to unsuitable living conditions. And the fact that they can survive a nuclear explosion is not a myth. Therefore, some kind of hunger is not a barrier for them.

How dangerous are they?

Cockroaches do not bite and are generally afraid of people. There is no visible harm, but the dirt they bring will not leave you in good health. They examine the garbage in search of food, the toilet in search of water, then they carry a bunch of different bacteria around the apartment on their paws, leaving them on children's toys, on furniture and, worst of all, on the table and cutlery.

For some people, the activity of insects may not have any effect, while others may be seriously poisoned. Bacteria are different, each body reacts to them individually, so you should not let cockroaches multiply and run wherever they please.

It is better to start baiting them in the first days, as soon as you notice them. Cockroaches live for approximately 6–8 months, and during this time the female can lay 320 eggs. The more of them there are, the harder it is to get rid of the brood later.

Raid against crawling and flying insects

Aerosol from a brand from the USA. The spectrum of action is very wide, including not only cockroaches, but also most other flying and crawling insects.

It is a plant-based insecticide whose active ingredient is cypermethrin, obtained from chrysanthemum and Persian chamomile flowers. It is safe even for people with a tendency to allergies and diseases of the bronchopulmonary system. The composition includes a flavoring agent that provides a light and unobtrusive lavender aroma.

The spray does not leave marks on the surfaces being treated and is not addictive to insects. After contact with the chitinous covering of cockroaches for 7-10 days it causes muscle paralysis and death.

To completely get rid of insects, three treatments will be required. The second - 7-8 days after the first to destroy individuals hatched from eggs. The third – after about a month to “consolidate the result.”

How to find a nest of cockroaches in an apartment

Cockroaches themselves are timid creatures; they try to stay away from human eyes and direct rays of light. Strong lighting directly signals them about danger, so they try to stay in the shade and live in dark, damp, cluttered places.

There is clearly no fight against cockroaches

To find out if there are cockroaches in the house, go into the kitchen or bathroom in the middle of the night. If there are insects, at least one will still catch your eye. And where there is one, there is a whole colony. You can also find the products of their vital activity - feces, they look like dark brown small spots. They can be seen in different drawers, at the joints of doors, under the sink. When a colony of cockroaches grows, a specific unpleasant odor appears in the apartment.

Since cockroaches need darkness, warmth, water and food, the best places to hide are the bathroom, toilet and, of course, the kitchen. In the kitchen, they most often live under the sink, refrigerator, inside kitchen furniture and some electrical appliances.

Their flattened body shape allows them to inhabit cracks in baseboards, floors, behind hanging cabinets, in ventilation, near pipes, under bathtubs and even under wallpaper. If the house is old, then there will be several times more cracks and other defects suitable for living parasites.

Since the first time after the “housewarming”, cockroaches are very careful, you need to carefully inspect every corner (not skipping the bedroom, the passer-by) for the presence of them or traces of their vital activity.

To kill cockroaches in hard-to-reach areas, you can use a steam generator.

Prevention

Prevention is important and not at all difficult. This is a set of daily measures that should become a habit. The table shows the main measures to keep your home clean and prevent pests.

Table - Prevention of cockroaches

The biggest problem is cockroach eggs, which are not affected by chemicals. Females deposit them in hidden places such as cracks in walls and tiles, under baseboards, in vents and behind furniture. To destroy them, treat the “risk zones” with hot air from a steam cleaner or hair dryer a couple of times a month. In winter, ventilate the room daily.

If you don't want to deal with cockroaches, fall in love with indoor plants. It is worth paying attention to curly geranium, which pleases the eyes of household members and repels insects. The leaves of the plant emit a pungent odor that pests cannot stand. In addition to Prussians, a bright flower will repel flies, mosquitoes and ants.

Types of poison

If you have to deal with such nasty pests as cockroaches, then your war may be long. It is important to take into account the fact that they multiply very quickly and, in search of a better life, spread not only throughout the apartment, but throughout the entire residential complex!

Before poisoning cockroaches, you need to talk with your neighbors about their presence in other apartments. If you poison only in your apartment, then later your neighbors’ cockroaches will crawl to you. Therefore, everyone needs to start poisoning parasites at the same time.

To combat small pests there are many different means, both professional and inexpensive folk. They may be in the form:

• gel;
• pastes;
• spray;
• powder;
• liquid product;
• tablets;
• microencapsulated products;
• chalk.

Each of the means is good in its own way. We will discuss all their advantages and disadvantages below, but it is important not to forget that cockroaches reproduce quickly and adapt to harmful substances.

Low temperatures

Cockroaches cannot tolerate cold, but the temperature should be lower than –8-10°C, otherwise there is no point in carrying out the procedure. The main disadvantage of this method is that it must be frosty outside. The cockroaches will begin to run away or die from the cold.

What to do:

1. Completely turn off all electrical appliances that produce heat.
2. Turn off the heating and cover radiators to prevent pipes from bursting.
3. Open the windows wide. If possible, then doors.
4. Leave and return in 4-5 hours.

There is a risk of pests returning when the air temperature in the apartment returns to normal, so take preventive measures immediately.

Household products

There are many household products that are inexpensive but still effective. Before treating surfaces, it is important to fix the taps, remove food and wipe all surfaces dry at night, since water is the main source of life for any living beings.

Let's look at popular cockroach repellents and some of their varieties.

Pastes

Paste is one of the best options of all cockroach repellents. It is not addictive to parasites and works 100% percent. The result can be seen in the first days, and the paste will do all the work in 2 weeks. It needs to be applied precisely near the cockroaches’ habitat. Most of all such products contain chlorpyrifos - this is an active substance that belongs to toxicity class 4. A good option is Globol paste.

Global paste is a proven effective remedy for cockroaches, and also very economical

Gels

Gel against cockroaches is the most effective in terms of time, which is why it is very popular. It can handle an entire colony in 7-14 days, which is a very short time considering the fact that it sometimes takes months. Available in special syringes, and more often in tubes. Its soft consistency, more liquid than that of a paste, and a thin tube attachment allow you to apply poison even into the most inaccessible crevices. The following gels have proven their effectiveness:

• "Raptor" - kills the nervous system of the pest. When consumed, the cockroach remains paralyzed and quickly dies.
• “Dokhlos” acts quickly and prevents a new generation from appearing. Belong to toxicity class 1 or 2.
• “Killer” - it will not destroy an entire colony, but one tube is enough to treat a room of up to 25 square meters. m.
• “Sturm” and “Fas” - contain 2 active ingredients (two different insecticides), which increase the strength of the gel on insects.

Sprays

When treating an apartment with a spray, it is advisable to wear protective clothing and a mask to prevent the occurrence of allergic reactions in the body. Children and household members should leave the premises at this time. The advantage of sprays is that they act quickly and after 24 hours you can remove dead cockroaches, carry out wet cleaning and ventilation. Works well against small and medium-sized parasite colonies. The best sprays for cockroaches are:

• "Raptor".
• "Baygon."
• "Raid".
• "Combat".
• "Gett."

Sprays to control cockroaches

Powders

Powder products have both their advantages and disadvantages. This is not the newest type of poison for cockroaches, but they are often overlooked, but in vain. They are very often used when cockroaches have just settled. Additional treatment is desirable, as parasites quickly get used to the drug. This is a completely safe cockroach repellent for pets and children. Powder is always much easier to treat hard-to-reach areas. The best powders are:

• "Tornado".
• "Clean house".
• "Clean world".

Liquid products

Treatment against parasites with such preparations is considered the most effective, since the liquid gets into almost any cracks and nooks and crannies. Since cockroaches most often hide in cracks, it will be enough to simply douse their habitats. Before choosing a liquid poison, it is important to familiarize yourself with its mechanism of action to understand whether it is suitable for your case.

• “Cucaracha” is considered a professional remedy and it is very important to study the instructions before processing. The second class of toxicity of the drug (destroys pests instantly) involves processing exclusively in protective clothing.
• "Tsifoks" is an instant cure for cockroaches. The parasites either die or leave the apartment. One big drawback among all the advantages is the duration of action, due to which you cannot stay in the apartment for the next 48 hours after use.

"Cucaracha" is a powerful remedy against cockroaches. Available not only in liquid form, but also in the form of spray and tablets

Pills

The tablets are not only an effective poison against cockroaches, but also a bait for them. Often manufacturers themselves call them lenses. It should be noted that they are quite effective and easy to use. There are tablets that are safe for both children and pets. The most popular are the following tablets:

• "Delicia" - from a German manufacturer. It kills not only adults, but also young animals, as well as eggs.

  
  Boxing bait "Delicia"

• Dupont Advion - may be hazardous to children and animals. These are traps of medium toxicity. The insect crawls into them and then dies.
• "Adamant Tab" is considered a professional remedy for cockroaches. It has a moderate degree of toxicity - it can be used independently only if the instructions are fully followed.

Microcapsules

Another type of very effective means is the strongest chemicals against cockroaches. The beauty is that after the liquid dries, it will not leave annoying insects alone. The most lethal means are:

• "Get" It is good because it acts upon direct contact with the cockroach and upon ingestion. Microcapsules remain on the legs and are transferred closer to the colony, quickly poisoning and killing all individuals.
• “Delta zone” is completely similar in its effect to “Get”. This product is odorless and completely safe for pets.

  
  Insect repellent "Delta Zone"

  
  Insect repellent "Lamda zone"

• “Lambda-Zone” is a drug that is harmless to animals and children and is not addictive to insects. The substance itself is placed in nanotubes, and is located in the microcapsules themselves.
• “Xulat-25” is often used by professional parasite exterminators. The liquid is concentrated, you need to dilute it with water, following the instructions from the manufacturer. It is very toxic to cockroaches, but is safe for people and pets.

Crayons

This type of poison was used several generations ago. In the fight against a large colony of parasites, it is practically useless, and in comparison with more modern methods of control, the crayons are significantly inferior and losing ground. The most commonly chosen crayons are from the following manufacturers:

• "Mashenka."
• "Clean house".

Gektor

A mixture of silicon dioxide and boric acid in a ratio of 3:1. It has the same effect on cockroaches of all types; insects are not able to develop immunity to it. It has an enteric-contact principle of action. The product is completely safe for humans and pets.

The smallest particles that fall on the body of a cockroach and stick to the whiskers penetrate the body through the oral cavity and microcracks in the chitin, corroding the insides and causing severe dehydration.

The powder is available in plastic bottles of various sizes. It is enough to scatter it near discovered nests of cockroaches and places potentially suitable for their habitat, as well as along travel routes.

Important! At high humidity, the Gektor mixture significantly loses its effectiveness, so it is not suitable for bathrooms.

Folk remedies against cockroaches

In the case when cockroaches are replaced in small quantities, you can also resort to effective folk recipes in the fight against them. There are a large number of them, but the best home remedies are the following:

• Boric acid is a very effective substance and works quickly from the first attempts. You can make the product yourself using the following recipe: Hard-boil eggs. Grind the yolk, add boric acid. Stir. Roll the mixture into balls and spread around the apartment. The cockroaches will feel itchy and will soon leave the apartment.
• Vinegar. Many parasites do not like it. Ammonia and vinegar are often used in spray form. You need to dissolve a little liquid in water and wipe the surfaces every day.

Cockroach traps

Traps are often used for prevention. Small houses are placed in dark and warm corners of the house. Cockroaches, having eaten plenty of poison, return to their brothers and also infect them.

Some traps have an adhesive base inside, from which parasites can no longer escape. This method helps to get rid of a colony that is just emerging.

Top brands:

• "Raid".
• "Raptor".
• "Foresight".
• "Combat".

Ultrasonic repellers

In some cases, such devices can be the most effective means of controlling cockroaches, for example, in grocery stores and apartments. Ultrasound has a negative effect on them. The use of ultrasonic devices has its pros and cons:

Pros and cons of using electronic devices

The characteristics state that humans and large animals do not feel any effect on the body. However, low-quality devices can negatively affect the human body, causing unpleasant symptoms such as headaches and/or insomnia.

Freezing

Among the well-known methods of dealing with mustachioed guests, the method of freezing pests has worked well. But it is not always convenient to use it. You can defrost batteries in the house, so pipes and batteries must be covered with thermal insulation during the operation. It is good to fight cockroaches using freezing in areas of Siberia where the frosts are quite severe.

By leaving the apartment for a couple of hours at sub-zero temperatures (lethal for cockroaches - 8 ⁰C), you can achieve excellent results and get rid of these insects forever. In addition, you can remove not only adult insects, but even their larvae.

No matter what means you have to fight cockroaches, you should be very careful and careful. Lures should be out of the reach of children. After treating the rooms with chemicals, it is necessary to ventilate the rooms throughout the house.

Source

Professional products

Highly effective products include concentrated liquids, such as “Tsifoks” and “Xulat-25”. They are considered professional products and therefore must be used strictly according to the instructions. They are designed for use over large areas.

It is beneficial to contact specialists, since they can always qualitatively assess the situation and select a drug that is suitable specifically for your case.

Cockroach repellent "Tsifoks"

Liquid repellent for cockroaches Skulat-25

There are situations when, for various reasons, it is impossible to call disinfectants. In this case, you need to at least consult with them about the required drug and subsequent actions, and treat the apartment yourself.

In very difficult cases, when insects literally fall from the ceiling, you need advice from knowledgeable specialists. Professional workers know how to act correctly in such situations. After all, sometimes it may turn out that not just one family needs treatment of an apartment, but all the neighbors on the floor or in the entrance.