How to Get Rid Of Roaches In an Apartment

Co-authored by Kevin Carrillo and Megaera Lorenz, PhD

Last Updated: January 4, 2023 Approved

No matter which of the many species of roaches you may have in your apartment, you have probably noticed that they are quick, sneaky, and difficult to get rid of. These pests are adaptable and efficient, and they breed quickly. There is no one simple solution to a roach infestation, but a combination of approaches can be effective. Get rid of roaches in an apartment by using pesticide dusts, setting up bait stations, or trying additional methods like setting traps or bringing in a professional exterminator. You can also take steps to prevent them from returning.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Using Baits

1
Purchase some baits. Baits are one of the safest and most effective ways to eliminate roaches. They work over an extended period of time and can either kill roaches directly (when roaches eat the bait) or indirectly (when roaches eat the poisoned feces or corpses of those that have already sampled the bait).^{[1]
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Expert Source

Kevin Carrillo
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 22 October 2019.}
- You can purchase baits in the form of small containers filled with bait (bait stations) or dispensable gels. A variety of bait gels and baited traps are available from most hardware stores, drug stores, and supermarkets. Common brand names include Avert, Blue Diamond, Combat, and Max Force.
2
Make your own baits. You can make effective baits out of a variety of household ingredients. Try one of these bait recipes:
- Mix small, equal portions of white flour, cocoa, oatmeal, boric acid, and Plaster of Paris.
- Mix 2 teaspoons (10 ml) of citrus pulp, ¾ teaspoon (about 4 ml) of brown sugar, ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) of corn meal, and ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) of boric acid.
- Bait mixtures containing boric acid should be kept out of reach of children and pets.
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3
Place bait stations in identified problem areas. Bait stations are most effective if set up in areas where cockroaches are known to gather, such as cabinets, the spaces behind and under appliances, and areas where food and moisture are readily available (such as bathrooms and kitchens).^{[2]
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Expert Source

Kevin Carrillo
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 22 October 2019.}
- Avoid leaving your bait stations out in the open. They are more likely to be effective (and less likely to be found by pets and children) if they are placed under or between appliances, in dark corners, and inside cabinets.
- If you made your own bait, put it in a small container, like a shallow bowl or a plastic food storage container lid, and place it as you would a commercial bait station.
4
Use bait gels in small spaces. Bait gel is ideal for cracks and crevices where cockroaches like to hide, but where regular bait stations will not fit.
5
Change and replace your bait stations frequently. Since bait stations serve as food sources for roaches, they will become empty quickly in areas where roaches gather. Empty bait stations can serve as hiding places for cockroaches.
- How quickly your bait stations become empty will depend on how many roaches you have. Commercial baits may include instructions to replace your baits every 3-6 months, or more frequently if roaches return before the recommended period ends.
- If you make your own baits, inspect them every few weeks and replace them once the bait is depleted or cockroaches begin to reappear.
6
Make sure other food sources are not available. For baits to be effective, they must serve as the roaches’ primary food source. Clean up and put away food in areas where your traps are set up.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Using Pesticide Dusts

1
Purchase one or more pesticide dusts. Three basic types are available: silica (as found in products like Delta Dust or Safer Ant & Crawling Insect Killer), diatomaceous earth (Roach and Ant Killer D-E Dust), and boric acid (Borid, Pic Boric, or Roach Prufe). Silica and diatomaceous earth work by damaging and desiccating the cockroach’s exoskeleton, while boric acid is highly toxic to roaches when ingested.
- Borax (sodium borate) is often used as a homemade roach pesticide. Borax contains the same element (boron) as boric acid, but may be less effective as a pesticide.
2
Place pesticide dusts in places where roaches hide. These dusts should be used sparingly. Roaches will notice and avoid big piles of dust. Use a small pesticide powder duster to puff a thin (barely visible) film into cracks, void spaces around cabinets, and underneath appliances. Re-apply your dusts every 3-4 months, or as recommended by the manufacturer.
3
Keep pesticide dusts away from pets and children. Although these pesticides are relatively safe, they can still be harmful. Be especially cautious when using dusts that contain boric acid. Do not use these dusts on surfaces where food is prepared or consumed.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Using Other Approaches

1
Vacuum up roaches when you see them. This is a quick and effective way to “spot treat” your roach problem. If you see live roaches, droppings, or egg cases, vacuum them up and dispose of your vacuum bag or the contents of your vacuum canister in a garbage container outside of your building.
2
Set sticky traps and jar traps. These types of traps can help reduce the number of roaches in your apartment, and can also be useful for helping you identify areas in your apartment where roaches are most likely to gather.
- You can purchase sticky traps in most hardware stores, drug stores, or department stores.
- You can make your own traps by lining the inside of a jar with Vaseline and placing a slightly moist piece of bread and some slices of raw potato inside as bait. You can kill the roaches you trap in the jar by filling the jar with soapy water.^{[3]
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  Research source}
- Dispose of the trapped roaches in a garbage container outside your building.
3
Hire a licensed professional to treat your apartment. Pest control experts are permitted to use chemicals that private citizens are not, such as Avermectin. Contact your landlord to find out if they already have a working relationship with an exterminator in your area.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Kevin Carrillo
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 22 October 2019.}

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Keeping Roaches out of Your Apartment

1
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.^{[5]
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2
Eliminate all roach food sources. They love the carbohydrates and sugar found in your food, soaps, and even plants.
- Keep food (for humans and pets) in glass or plastic containers, with lids that fit tightly. Transfer any food that you keep in bags, boxes, or other materials that are easy for roaches to chew through.
- Replace bar soap with liquid soap dispensers, and spread a bit of petroleum jelly on plant holders and pots to keep roaches away from the plants in your apartment.
- Keep garbage, compost and recycling in tightly sealed containers, and take out your garbage frequently.
3
Keep problem areas clean. Crumbs, spills, and stains will attract roaches. Clean kitchen surfaces thoroughly after preparing food. Sweep up crumbs and mop up spills immediately. Scrub inside cabinets and around and under appliances.
- Take extra care to sweep and scrub up any roach droppings that you find, since these can attract other roaches.
4
Pick up clutter. Roaches like to hide in boxes, stacks of paper, or piles of laundry. Avoid storing paper bags, magazines, or newspapers on the floor or in cabinets.
5
Eliminate sources of moisture. Keep your bathroom and kitchen as dry as possible. If you have leaky pipes or worn grout, bring them to your landlord’s attention. Mop up spilled water immediately, and wipe down sinks and bathtubs immediately after use. You may wish to empty pet water dishes overnight.
6
Check for cracks and holes. Roaches travel in and out of walls, doors and windows through cracks as small as 1/5 inch (0.5 cm). Check your window screens, doors and walls for holes or other damage. Put weather stripping over any cracks in your doors. Cracks and holes in the walls can be repaired with spackle or caulk. You may wish to consult with your landlord before attempting any repairs yourself.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Kevin Carrillo
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 22 October 2019.}

Expert Q&A
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Question

Why are roaches so hard to get rid of?

Hussam Bin Break
Pest Control Professional
Hussam Bin Break is a Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator and Operations Manager. He and his brother Hussam co-founded Diagno Pest Control in the greater Philadelphia area in 2018, and have since expanded their services to include the New Jersey market. Diagno Pest Control has received Home Advisor's Top Rated and Elite Service Badges for quality of work and customer service.

Hussam Bin Break

Pest Control Professional

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Roaches are extremely hardy and can adapt to survive in many different environments: hot or cold, dry or wet, indoors or outdoors. This means that they can hide in lots of different places, so you might not get rid of all of them with one treatment. It's best to call a professional for this job.

Warnings

Keep children and pets away from any insecticides you apply to your apartment. They can be harmful or fatal if consumed.

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