An Expert-Backed Guide to Getting Rid of Cockroaches in Your Apartment

• Get rid of cockroaches quickly by setting up gel baits under your countertops and along the hinges of your cabinet doors.
• Alternatively, sprinkle boric acid or diatomaceous earth into any cracks and crevices on your walls to kill roaches on the spot.
• Contact your landlord if you continue to see roaches in your unit, and clean your apartment frequently and eliminate clutter to prevent them from returning.

Best Ways to Kill Roaches

Cockroach baits According to pest control specialist Kevin Carrillo, the most effective way to get rid of roaches is to buy “over the counter gel baits and place them under the lip of your countertop or along hinges of your cabinet doors.” This method works over time, killing roaches directly (when they eat the bait) and indirectly (when they eat the poisoned feces of those that have already sampled the bait). If you think you might have an infestation, set up a bait station. It’s a small plastic unit filled with insecticide, which works best when placed along your baseboards, walls, and under the sink. You can buy bait at most hardware stores, drug stores, and supermarkets. Common brand names include: Avert, Combat, Blue Diamond, and Max Force.

Boric acid For a DIY roach repellent, make your own bait using household ingredients. Mix equal parts sugar and boric acid (or Borax), then sprinkle a thin layer of the powder around your cabinets and baseboards. When the roaches ingest the boric acid, it will kill them, so leave the mixture for one week before vacuuming it up and replacing it. Alternatively, combine equal parts cocoa powder and boric acid to lure the roaches. Do not apply boric acid in open areas, like shelves and counters where food is stored. While boric acid isn’t highly toxic to humans, it’s not ideal for apartments with pets or children.

Diatomaceous earth Since cockroaches get dehydrated when they walk through pesticide dust, it’s a great option for long-term treatment. Use a bulb duster to apply a thin layer of diatomaceous earth into any cracks and crevices. Then, sprinkle it underneath your sink, the corners of your cabinets, and along your baseboards. Remember that thin layers of dust are more effective than thick layers, which may cake or clump together. It can take up to 2-3 weeks for diatomaceous earth to be effective because the power has to be completely dry.

Sticky traps To kill roaches on the spot, set up adhesive traps in the corners of your room, behind large appliances, and inside your cabinets. Roaches usually get stuck within 24 hours of setting traps, but check your traps daily to determine the scale of your roach issue and the most infested areas of your apartment. Discard your traps every 2-3 days by securing them in a plastic bag and placing them inside a trash can. Alternatively, make your own sticky trap by wrapping a small piece of cardboard in duct tape with the adhesive facing outward.

Insecticide spray For a quick and easy solution, pest control specialist Kevin Carrillo recommends using an “over the counter spray to directly kill [them].” Just spray the product in 2 inch (5 cm) wide bands where roaches might hide, such as the crevices near your kitchen sink and stove, beneath and inside cupboards, around your pipes and heating unit, along your baseboards, and inside the motor compartment of your refrigerator. Once the roaches crawl through the sprayed area, it will coat their bodies and kill them. If you don’t have any insecticide spray, Carrillo says to mist the roaches with rubbing alcohol when you see them.

Compressed air and a vacuum Blow compressed air into any spots where you’ve seen roaches or any areas they might be hiding in. This will cause them to panic and crawl out into plain sight so you can vacuum them up. Just make sure to work quickly and dispose of the contents of your vacuum bag in a garbage container outside of your apartment.

Pest control specialist Cockroaches are usually building-wide issues, so contact your landlord to see if they already have a working relationship with an exterminator in your area. Pest control specialists have access to bait that private citizens do not, like insect growth regulators (IGRs), and they can create a specialized program to eliminate roaches in your apartment.

Keeping Roaches out of Your Apartment

Talk to your property manager or building supervisor. Even if you eliminate roaches from your specific apartment, they will keep returning if the building is not treated. Roaches can inhabit the walls and spaces between units, or travel between units in a building through the drainpipes.

Eliminate all roach food sources. Roaches love the sugars found in food, soap, and plants, so store your food in airtight containers with lids that fit tightly. Replace bar soap with liquid soap dispensers, and spread a bit of petroleum jelly on your plant holders and pots to keep roaches away from the plants in your apartment. Do not leave pet food out overnight.

Clean your kitchen frequently. Crumbs, spills, and stains attract roaches, so wipe down your microwave, oven, and backsplash after cooking. Sweep your floor to get rid of any crumbs, and make sure you don’t leave a pile of dirty dishes before heading to sleep. Be sure to clean up any roach droppings you find, since these can attract other roaches. Keep your garbage, compost, and recycling in tightly sealed containers, and take out your trash daily.

Pick up clutter in your apartment. According to pest control specialist Kevin Carrillo, roaches can easily hitch a ride on “a shopping bag from the grocery store…or cardboard boxes.” If you have any boxes or paper packaging sitting in your room, use them quickly or recycle them. Roaches also like to hide in stacks of papers, like magazines and newspapers, so avoid piling them inside your apartment.

Eliminate sources of moisture. Roaches are in constant search of water, so keep your bathroom and kitchen as dry as possible. Mop up spills promptly, and wipe down sinks and bathtubs immediately after use. If you have leaky pipes or worn grout, bring them to your landlord’s attention. Do not leave your pet’s water bowl out overnight.

Check for any cracks and holes. A roach can travel in and out of walls, doors, and windows through cracks that are only 0.06 inches (0.15 cm)). So, check your window screens, doors, and walls for holes or damage, and put weather stripping over any cracks in your doors. If you find cracks or holes, contact your landlord to see if they can seal them with caulk. Roaches usually travel along the edges of walls when foraging, so prioritize the perimeter of your apartment before inspecting interior walls.

Where do roaches usually live?

Cockroaches thrive in warm, dark, and moist areas. According to pest control specialist Kevin Carrillo, “80-90% of cockroaches reside in the kitchen or bathroom.” So, check inside your bathroom cabinets, behind your kitchen appliances, and around your heating unit for potential hiding spots. If you find more than one roach, you probably have an infestation, so contact your landlord as soon as possible.