German cockroaches are a type of cockroach that are often found in homes and restaurants. You can get rid of German cockroaches in your home or restaurant using gel baits, bait stations (boxes with toxic baits that are safe for humans and pets), and glue traps. Boric acid is also an effective ingredient for getting rid of German cockroaches. If the cockroach infestation is severe, you may have to use a combination of several methods to deal with it. Place bait in dark areas of the kitchen and bathroom, such as behind the refrigerator, oven, and toilet, and in kitchen and bathroom cabinets.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Baiting and Trapping German Cockroaches
Step 1. Use gel bait
This type of bait is produced in the form of a tube and is applied by pressing to release the gel. Apply the gel along door and window trim, on the back of trash cans, and along cabinet doors in kitchens and bathrooms. Also apply this gel bait under sinks (where the drain pipe fits into the wall) in the kitchen and bathroom.
- Apply gel bait to the cracks and crevices in the kitchen drawers, as well as along the top shelf and baseboard.
- If you have small children or pets, apply the gel where they cannot reach it.
Step 2. Try using stanza station
The bait station is a plastic box filled with poison. Cockroaches will enter through small holes in the box to take the bait. Place bait stations on walls and corners of rooms where cockroaches are frequented, for example in bathrooms and kitchens.
- Place bait stations behind refrigerators, ovens, microwaves, toasters, toilets, and other appliances in the kitchen and bathroom. Also place them under dishwashers, ovens, refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, and water heaters.
- Identify areas frequented by cockroaches by looking for their droppings. Cockroach droppings are shaped like black pepper grains.
Step 3. Use a glue trap
These traps contain pheromones that attract cockroaches. When you get into a trap, a cockroach will get caught in it and suffocate. Place these traps on walls and corners of rooms where cockroaches frequent.
- Place the glue trap in the same area as you placed the bait station.
- Do not spray cleaning products or insecticides on glue traps or bait stations. Doing so will contaminate the bait and prevent the cockroaches from entering the trap.
Method 2 of 3: Using Boric Acid
Step 1. Apply boric acid using a duster bulb (a device equipped with a ball to squeeze the contents)
The duster bulb allows you to apply boric acid in a thin layer. Squeeze the ball to dispense a thin layer of boric acid powder along walls and floors in bathrooms and kitchens. Apply the powder until it is barely visible to the eye. If you apply too much boric acid, cockroaches can detect it and avoid the area.
- Do not use a spoon when applying boric acid.
- Boric acid can be purchased at hardware and home supply stores.
- Don't apply boric acid to kitchen countertops, especially where you use it to prepare food.
Step 2. Apply boric acid in the center of the wall
Make a hole in the drywall (wall made of gypsum board) just enough to fit the end of the duster bulb. Squeeze the ball to release the boric acid between the layers of gypsum walls.
This is an effective way to kill cockroaches as these insects tend to live between walls
Step 3. Combine the boric acid with the gel feed and bait station
However, do not use this product in conjunction with a glue trap. The glue trap will trap the cockroaches so they won't be able to return to their nest to spread boric acid to other roaches.
Method 3 of 3: Preventing the Arrival of German Cockroaches
Step 1. Clean all surfaces in the kitchen
Dispose of food crumbs and clean up spills left on the counter, dining table, sink, stove top and other surfaces in the kitchen. Also make sure to sweep the floors of the kitchen and dining room, as well as other places where you eat, at least 5 times a week if you can't do it every day.
- Don't leave dirty dishes and food in the sink overnight.
- Take out the trash every night and keep your trash cans tightly closed.
Step 2. Store food in airtight containers
Store flour, sugar, cookies, bread, cereals, crackers, and other foodstuffs in an airtight container. That way, the cockroaches won't be able to smell the food and invade the kitchen.
Step 3. Cover the holes and gaps with putty
Use expanding foam (hard foam that expands to fill gaps) to cover holes, crevices, cracks, and lumps that run along the walls under the kitchen and bathroom. Seal any cracks and crevices around the pipes under the kitchen and bathroom sinks.
You can buy expanding foam at a building and home supply store
Tips
- You can also kill cockroaches using a mixture of sugar and baking soda. Mix sugar and baking soda in equal proportions, then place into the jerry can lid. Also add a little water to the lid of the jerry can. Place the lid of the jerry can in places frequented by cockroaches, such as in the kitchen and bathroom. When the cockroaches eat the mixture, the water will react with the baking soda and make the cockroach's stomach explode. It will take you several weeks to kill the roaches using this method.
- Check the small utensils for German cockroaches. Put the utensils in a plastic bag and place in the freezer to kill cockroaches. Wash and rinse the equipment thoroughly.
- Boric acid is low in toxicity to children, adults and pets.
- If the cockroach infestation is severe, contact a pest control service.
