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Getting Rid of Roaches
What can I do to humanely get rid of
cockroaches?
There are several steps you can take
to rid your home of cockroaches. First and foremost,
do a thorough cleaning. The cleaner your home, the easier
it will be to send the roaches packing. Concentrate
on areas that are not regularly cleaned, such as under
and around the refrigerator and stove.
Second, as much as possible, eliminate
the roaches' food and water supplies. Never leave leftovers
or dirty dishes out overnight. Do not store compost
(or foodstuffs intended for composting) in or near the
house. Empty trash containers every evening, and store
garbage cans, tightly covered, away from the house.
Third, seal off all cracks in your home,
especially around the kitchen and bathroom. Roaches
can move about in the tiniest of cracks, and actually
seek them out. Use any caulking labeled for indoor purposes.
It's not a difficult task, and certainly is worth the
effort.
Fourth, use the following mixture of
natural ingredients as a cockroach repellent. Do not
spray it directly on cockroaches as it would be lethal
to them. Mix equal amounts of tea tree oil, rosemary
oil, and citronella oil, then combine with water using
1 part oil mixture to 6 parts water. Put in a spray
bottle and mist it on all the places that the cockroaches
enter your home, paying particular attention to areas
around plumbing. Be sure to include under the sinks
in the bathroom and kitchen, behind the stove and refrigerator,
and along baseboards.
If you do not live in a single dwelling
house, you will need to enlist the assistance of your
neighbors. If you live in a home or apartment that has
shared walls, it will be next to impossible to successfully
eradicate cockroaches without your neighbors' full cooperation.
Even though you may not be able to rid your building
of roaches, you may be able to deter them from entering
your apartment by using the above methods. Combining
all of these steps may be your best bet for safely and
compassionately banishing your "uninvited guests."
Copyright © 1998-2009 by Jo Stepaniak
All rights reserved.
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