Before you start
- Cockroach gel bait and bait stations
- A torch
- Sealant or caulk for cracks
- Airtight food containers
- Rubber gloves
Method 1 Find where they live
-
Step 1: Search at night
Cockroaches hide during the day. Turn on the kitchen light suddenly at night, or use a torch, to see where they run to.
-
Step 2: Check the hot spots
Look behind and under the fridge, cooker and dishwasher, under the sink, inside cupboard hinges, around pipes, in the bathroom, and inside electrical appliances like microwaves and coffee machines.
-
Step 3: Look for signs
Droppings like ground pepper or coffee grounds, brown egg cases, shed skins, and a musty, oily smell all show where they gather.
-
Step 4: Use sticky traps
Place sticky monitoring traps against walls in corners to confirm hot spots and measure progress.
Method 2 Remove food, water and shelter
-
Step 1: Deep-clean the kitchen
Clean grease from the hob, extractor and walls, pull out appliances and vacuum crumbs behind and under them.
-
Step 2: Store food sealed
Keep food, including pet food, in airtight containers. Don’t leave food or dirty dishes out overnight.
-
Step 3: Take out the rubbish
Use a bin with a tight lid and empty it every evening.
-
Step 4: Dry everything
Fix dripping taps and leaks, wipe the sink dry at night, and don’t leave water in pet bowls overnight if it’s safe for your pet.
-
Step 5: Clear clutter
Remove piles of paper, cardboard boxes and bags, which roaches love to hide and breed in.
Method 3 Use gel baits and bait stations
An insect growth regulator (IGR), sold alongside some baits, stops young roaches developing into breeding adults and helps prevent a comeback.
-
Step 1: Choose a bait
Buy a cockroach gel bait and bait stations from a reputable brand. Read and follow the label.
-
Step 2: Apply small dots where they hide
Put pea-sized dots of gel in cracks, hinges, corners and along edges where you’ve seen activity, not in open areas. Many small dots work better than a few large ones.
-
Step 3: Place bait stations
Put stations under sinks, behind the fridge and cooker, and in the corners of cupboards, out of reach of children and pets.
-
Step 4: Don’t spray near the bait
Insecticide sprays and strong cleaners near bait repel cockroaches and contaminate the bait. Avoid them in baited areas.
-
Step 5: Be patient and re-bait
Roaches eat the bait and carry it back to others. You should see fewer within one to two weeks. Check weekly and add more bait where it’s been eaten.
Method 4 Block their way in
-
Step 1: Seal cracks and gaps
Use sealant or caulk on cracks in walls and skirting boards, and around pipes, cables and cupboards.
-
Step 2: Cover drains
Use drain covers and keep drains clean, especially in bathrooms and laundry areas.
-
Step 3: Fit door seals
Add draught excluders or brush strips under external doors.
-
Step 4: Check deliveries
Check cardboard boxes, grocery bags and second-hand appliances before bringing them in.
| Type | Size and look | Where you’ll find them |
|---|---|---|
| German cockroach | Small (about 1.5 cm), light brown with two dark stripes behind the head | Kitchens and bathrooms; the most common indoor pest |
| American cockroach | Large (3–4 cm), reddish-brown | Drains, basements, warm damp areas |
| Oriental cockroach | Dark brown to black, about 2.5 cm | Cool damp areas, drains, ground floors |
| Brown-banded cockroach | Small, with light bands across the body | Warm, dry rooms, inside furniture and electronics |
Troubleshooting
I still see roaches after two weeks
Check the bait is being eaten and add more dots where it’s gone, make sure nothing is spraying near it, and look for food and water sources you missed.
I see more roaches right after baiting
This often happens at first as baits draw them out of hiding. It should drop within days.
They keep coming back
They may be coming from neighbours, drains or a hidden source. Seal gaps, use an IGR, and involve your landlord or a professional.
Frequently asked questions
Do cockroaches mean my house is dirty?
Not necessarily. They can come in with deliveries or from neighbours. But food, water and clutter help them multiply.
Do natural remedies work?
Keeping things clean, dry and sealed helps a lot. Boric acid and diatomaceous earth can work as dusts in cracks if used carefully, but gel baits are usually more effective.
Are cockroaches harmful?
They can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, and their droppings and shed skins can trigger allergies and asthma.
Summary
Find where cockroaches hide, cut off their food and water, and clear clutter. Use small dots of gel bait and bait stations in their hiding places, keep sprays away from the bait, and re-bait weekly. Seal cracks and gaps to stop them returning, and call a licensed pest controller for large or repeat infestations.
