How to Kill Cockroaches: 10 Simple Tips to Clean Your House from the Insects

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Many people feel scared or disgusted when they see a cockroach running across the floor. These insects often appear in kitchens, bathrooms, and other dark places in the home. Learning how to kill cockroaches is important because these pests can spread germs and contaminate food.

Cockroaches are not just unpleasant to look at. They can also cause health problems. These insects walk through garbage, drains, and dirty areas before moving across food or cooking surfaces. Their droppings and body parts can also trigger allergies and asthma in some people.

If you are dealing with a cockroach infestation at home, don't worry. In this article, we will share some tips on how to kill cockroaches and free your house from these insects. We will also share some tips on how to prevent the same problem from happening again. We gathered the information from various sources, Monday (9/3/2026).

Cockroaches are very good at hiding during the day. Many people do not notice them until the infestation becomes large. Knowing the early signs can help you act quickly before the problem grows worse.

1. Cockroach Droppings: Small dark droppings that look like ground pepper are a common sign of cockroach activity. You may find them inside cabinets, under sinks, behind appliances, or along wall edges.

2. Musty or Unpleasant Odor:  A strong, musty smell may appear when cockroaches are living in large numbers. This odor often comes from their waste and can become stronger as the infestation grows.

3. Egg Cases: Cockroach egg cases are small, brown, and oval-shaped. They are often hidden in cracks, cabinets, or behind furniture. Each egg case can contain many young cockroaches.

4. Shed Skins: As cockroaches grow, they shed their outer skin several times. Finding these thin shells near hiding areas may indicate that roaches are living nearby.

5. Dead Cockroaches: Seeing dead cockroaches in corners, under appliances, or inside cabinets may suggest that more are hiding in the area.

Getting rid of cockroaches usually requires several methods working together. The following steps explain how to kill cockroaches at home and reduce their population.

1. Use Cockroach Bait Stations: Bait stations attract cockroaches using food that is mixed with a slow‑acting insecticide. After eating the bait, cockroaches usually return to their hiding places before dying. This allows the poison to spread to other cockroaches in the same area. Place bait stations near sinks, behind appliances, inside cabinets, and along walls where roaches often travel.

2. Apply Insecticide Sprays: Insecticide sprays can help control cockroaches when they are used in the correct locations. Spray inside cracks, corners, and other hidden areas where cockroaches live and hide during the day. Good places include behind refrigerators, under sinks, around garbage areas, and near plumbing lines. Always follow product instructions carefully to ensure safe and effective use.

3. Use Boric Acid Powder: Boric acid is one of the most widely used treatments for cockroach control in homes. A small amount of powder is placed in cracks, crevices, and other hiding places. When cockroaches walk through the powder, it sticks to their legs and bodies. Later, they swallow the powder while grooming, which slowly poisons and kills them.

4. Set Sticky Traps: Sticky traps, also called glue traps, are simple tools used to capture cockroaches. These traps contain a strong adhesive surface that prevents the insects from escaping once they walk onto it. They are especially useful for finding where cockroaches are most active. Place traps behind appliances, under sinks, and along walls to monitor infestations.

5. Vacuum Infested Areas: Vacuuming is a helpful way to quickly reduce the number of cockroaches inside a home. A vacuum cleaner can remove live roaches, egg cases, shed skins, and food crumbs that attract pests. This method also helps reduce future reproduction by removing eggs. Be sure to empty the vacuum bag afterward and dispose of it outside the home.

Some homeowners prefer natural solutions instead of chemical products. These methods may take longer but can still help reduce cockroach populations.

1. Sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth: Diatomaceous earth is a natural powder made from tiny fossilized organisms. It works by damaging the protective outer layer of insects. When cockroaches crawl over the powder, they slowly lose moisture and eventually die. Sprinkle a thin layer in cracks, behind appliances, and under sinks where cockroaches often travel and hide.

2. Use Baking Soda and Sugar: A simple mixture of baking soda and sugar can help reduce cockroach numbers. The sugar attracts the insects because it smells like food. After eating the mixture, the baking soda reacts inside their digestive system and harms them. Place small containers of this mixture near walls, cabinets, and other areas where roaches are active.

3. Spray Lemon Water: Lemon has a strong scent that cockroaches usually dislike. Mixing lemon juice with water in a spray bottle can create a simple natural repellent. Spray the solution along baseboards, near doors, around windows, and close to possible hiding places. While it may not kill them instantly, it can help keep cockroaches away from certain areas.

4. Place Garlic Near Hiding Spots: Garlic produces a powerful smell that many insects avoid, including cockroaches. Crushing several garlic cloves and placing them near cracks, cabinets, and sink areas may help discourage roaches from staying there. Replace the garlic regularly so the smell stays strong. This method works best as a repellent rather than a direct way to kill cockroaches.

5. Use Catnip Spray: Catnip contains a natural compound called nepetalactone, which can repel cockroaches. You can make a simple spray by boiling catnip in water and letting the liquid cool. Afterward, pour it into a spray bottle and apply it along baseboards, corners, and other hiding spots. This natural method may help reduce cockroach activity in the home.

Prevention is one of the most important steps in long-term cockroach control. Removing food, water, and shelter will make your home less attractive to these pests.

1. Keep Your Home Clean: Regular cleaning removes crumbs, grease, and other food sources that attract cockroaches. Wipe countertops, sweep floors, and vacuum frequently, especially in the kitchen and dining areas. Pay close attention to spaces under appliances and behind furniture, where food particles can collect and go unnoticed, creating ideal feeding spots for cockroaches.

2. Store Food in Sealed Containers: Cockroaches can chew through paper, cardboard, and thin plastic packaging to reach food. Storing dry goods such as cereal, flour, rice, and pet food in airtight containers helps prevent access. Containers with tight-fitting lids also keep food fresher and eliminate odors that might attract cockroaches into your pantry or kitchen cabinets.

3. Fix Water Leaks:  Cockroaches need moisture to survive and are often attracted to damp areas in homes. Leaking pipes, dripping faucets, and clogged drains can create perfect water sources for them. Repairing these problems quickly and keeping sinks and plumbing areas dry can make your home much less appealing to cockroaches seeking hydration.

4. Seal Cracks and Openings: Cockroaches can hide in very small gaps around walls, floors, cabinets, and baseboards. These cracks provide safe places for them to nest and reproduce. Sealing openings with caulk or weatherstripping blocks these hiding places and reduces the number of entry points cockroaches can use to get inside your home.

5. Take Out Garbage Regularly: Garbage bins often contain food scraps and organic waste that attract cockroaches. Allowing trash to sit for long periods creates an easy feeding area for pests. Empty your garbage frequently, use bins with tight-fitting lids, and clean the inside of trash containers regularly to reduce odors and discourage cockroaches from gathering there.

6. Reduce Clutter: Clutter such as stacked newspapers, cardboard boxes, bags, and unused household items can create hidden spaces where cockroaches can live undisturbed. These areas provide shelter and protection from light and movement. Keeping rooms organized, recycling unnecessary paper, and reducing storage clutter helps eliminate potential hiding spots.

7. Inspect Items Before Bringing Them Inside: Cockroaches sometimes enter homes by hitchhiking in grocery bags, cardboard boxes, packages, or secondhand furniture. Taking a moment to inspect these items before bringing them indoors can prevent pests from entering your living space. Shake out bags, check seams and corners, and clean items if necessary before storing them.