How to Get Rid of Cockroaches Naturally (Without Chemicals)

When I first spotted a roach scurrying across my kitchen floor late one night, my immediate instinct was to either grab a heavy-duty can of toxic bug spray or call an expensive exterminator. However, I would be subjecting my family and pets to harsh chemicals, and those chemicals might be ineffective.

A recent report published in Scientific Reports revealed that German cockroaches—the most common roach species worldwide—are becoming harder to eliminate. These disease-carrying pests are developing rapid resistance to multiple insecticides, making them extremely difficult to kill with chemicals alone. Scientists suggest combining alternative methods, such as aggressive sanitation and natural traps.

I decided to forego the toxic chemical compounds and try purely natural methods. Eliminating roaches organically can be a gradual process, but doing it naturally is the absolute best way to prevent the issue from ever recurring. Here is precisely how I did it.

6 Steps to Get Rid of Cockroaches Naturally

1. Wipe, Clean, and Clean Again

As with many household pests, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. You have to ensure your home is spic-and-span because cockroaches are highly drawn to food residue, especially kitchen grease. That implies wiping down the counters every evening, never leaving dirty dishes in the sink overnight, ensuring the stovetop is thoroughly clean, and sweeping the floors before going to sleep.

This might seem like a huge chore to do each day, but a 15-minute cleanup is usually plenty to eliminate residues. Pay particular notice to kitchen floors and the tight spaces under appliances. Make it a daily practice to wipe down dining tables, because roaches are mostly nocturnal and very active at night when nobody is around.

2. Seal Up Cracks and Holes

Roaches and various other insects can crawl through virtually the smallest of spaces, so it is essential to seal your house’s entry points. Look inside your pantry, check the gaps between the wall structure and the countertop, and inspect your baseboards.

This will take time, but in the long run, it is well worth the effort—particularly if you reside in an apartment and have neighbors who do not maintain the same strict standards of cleanliness as you do. Grab a tube of high-quality silicone caulk and a caulking gun to completely seal the room.

3. Fix Any Water Leaks

Roaches are deeply attracted to water and moisture from leaking pipes. That is precisely why you frequently find them scurrying under the kitchen or bathroom sink. Cut off their water sources by fixing the tiniest of plumbing leaks. Do not allow standing water to stay in the sink, and be careful not to overwater your indoor potted plants, as the damp soil can become a drinking fountain for pests.

4. Create Your Own Natural Cockroach Bait

You don’t need expensive chemical traps. Mix 3 parts boric acid with 1 part powdered sugar. The sugar lures the roaches in, while the boric acid safely destroys their digestive and nervous systems.

Although boric acid is generally considered low-toxicity to pets and humans compared to commercial insecticides, it can still be irritating. Ensure you sprinkle it under and behind the refrigerator, behind the dishwasher, under the stove, and deep into cracks where small fingers and pet noses cannot reach.

5. Use Diatomaceous Earth (or Call the Experts)

If you have a significant infestation you can’t manage on your own, look for a natural pest control company. Most organic pest control experts rely on a substance known as Diatomaceous Earth (DE). It is a smooth, natural sedimentary rock that is crushed into a fine powder.

DE is commonly used as a natural insecticide because it physically damages an insect’s exoskeleton, causing it to dehydrate and perish without harsh chemical substances. You can safely dust food-grade DE along the edges of your pantry and behind appliances yourself.

6. Keep the Space Cool and Use Soap Spray

The so-called American cockroach thrives in hot, humid conditions. When temperatures warm up during the summertime, these cold-blooded insects increase their activity levels and can even spread their wings to fly. While you can’t control the outdoor weather, keeping your home or apartment air-conditioned and as cool as possible helps slow their breeding and movement.

If you spot a roach scurrying across the floor and don’t want to spray toxic insecticides in your living space, try spraying it directly with a simple soap-and-water solution (I always keep a bottle handy to wash my countertops anyway). Because roaches breathe through their skin, the soapy water safely and effectively suffocates them on contact.

Final Thoughts

Dealing with a cockroach infestation can be highly stressful, but you do not have to resort to using dangerous chemicals. By keeping your kitchen meticulously clean, sealing up entry points, cutting off their water supply, and utilizing natural remedies like Boric Acid and Diatomaceous Earth, you can reclaim your home safely and permanently.

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