Roaches are common pests, and seeing signs of their presence in your home is unwelcoming.
These are unwanted invaders who are unpleasant and hard to get rid of.
Poison is a successful method of dealing with a roach infestation, and you should use them cautiously.
Poisons are easy to obtain, and you can use them anywhere there might be roaches. So, what is poisonous to roaches?
Insecticides contain toxins, and many that are available for controlling cockroaches come in:
- Liquid form
- Baits
- Dust/powders
When considering ways of eliminating roaches, use the poisons with caution for the safety of everyone around.
Each of these toxins is effective, and you can quickly reclaim your space from roaches.
3 Types of Poisons That Help in Roach Control
It is discouraging when you find out you have a roach problem.
However, it is possible to rid your space of these pesky pests using liquids, roach dust, and baits that include:
1. Dust Poisons
A few pesticides for controlling cockroaches come as powders or dust.
The ones that are the favorites in households are:
I. Silica Aerogel
Silica aerogel absorbs and erodes the waterproof wax covering on the roach’s body, leading to dehydration-related death.
Apply the dust to cracks, empty spaces, or crevices not easily accessible by kids or pets (such as behind refrigerators, under sinks, etc.).
Using this dust in damp places will limit its effectiveness. Apply a little layer that is enough to be visible. You may need to reapply it as you may find it necessary.
II. Boric Acid
Boric acid, a boron and water chemical, is an effective roach killer and is available as sprayable dust.
You can use it around the kitchen, including in and around the space behind the cooker and refrigerator.
Boric acid kills roaches after they crawl over the surfaces you treat, proving its effectiveness.
The cockroach ingests the powdery particles as it preens them from its legs and antennae, which causes the powder to stick to the insect’s body.
Boric acid works well if you mix it with baits like sugar or peanut butter. The dust deposit keeps its power longer when you use it on dry surfaces.
III. Borax
Borax is a widely accessible laundry chemical that works wonders in eliminating roaches.
Use borax and white table sugar in equal proportions for best results.
Sprinkle this mixture into areas where you notice roach activity.
The borax will dehydrate and kill the roaches when they swallow it.
IV. Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is a natural mineral that effectively kills roaches on contact.
Use a scoop to sprinkle this powder in areas where you spot cockroaches.
When they step on it, the powder kills these pests by dehydration.
While typically safe around people and animals, pay great attention to the directions for a safe application and the best results.
V. Baking Soda
Baking soda is a common ingredient on most kitchen shelves, and it’s poisonous to roaches when they consume it in large portions.
Mix it with sugar to attract cockroaches.
You can also put a small amount in a shallow dish and position it where cockroaches are present.
VI. Epsom Salt
Epsom salt or magnesium sulfate is poisonous to roaches.
It entices them when you mix it with sugar, so put some out in a wide dish where these pesky critters can find it.
2. Bait Poisons
Some bait poisons are available in the market to eliminate cockroaches.
The following two are frequently considered to get rid of roach issues:
I. Gels
Gel and bait stations are the two main types of bait, which are poisons that kill roaches.
Gels are available in tubes or syringes, and you can apply them in places with roach activities, such as baseboards or cracks and crevices.
Gel baits are a simple solution for roach management that you can apply in hard-to-reach areas, and you should use them cautiously.
II. Bait Stations
In contrast to gels, the poison in bait stations is solid and has a long tube and a plastic cover.
These products act like roach motels and draw roaches to the poison to consume it.
When roaches return to their nests, they die and are devoured by other cockroaches, dispersing the poison throughout the colony.
3. Liquid Poisons
Some liquids that are effective in eliminating roaches include:
I. Fabric Softener
You can successfully eliminate roaches using a solution of fabric softener and water.
Mix three parts fabric softener to two parts water in a spray bottle and spray it in areas with roach activity.
The chemicals in the fabric softener suffocate cockroaches, and they must come into direct touch with this mixture.
II. Soap and Water
Water and liquid detergent are products that are poisonous to roaches.
They instantly kill roaches, and you can mix soap and water in a spray bottle and spray this solution in areas where you spot them.
III. Bleach
Bleach is an effective solution when considering what is poisonous to roaches.
It’s the smell that is toxic to roaches and what causes them to flee.
You can get successful outcomes when you apply bleach in dilute form.
Bleach is corrosive, and you might wish to perform a simple test on surfaces to see the outcome.
Insecticides are harmful to humans, pets, and the environment, and you should always read and follow the directions on the labels before using them.
Store unused poison in secured and out-of-reach from children and pets locations.
Summary
Cockroaches are among the most unpleasant pests that can invade your home.
They are a nuisance in almost every home because they spread infections, cause property damage, and put people’s health at risk.
They are hard to manage, and having them on your property can be insanity-reducing.
Poisoning them proves effective, and liquids, powders, and bait poisons are the common toxins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Baking Soda Toxic to Roaches?
One of the quickest and simplest ways to get rid of roaches is by using baking soda, which you probably already have on your kitchen shelf.
To create a bait, chop a few onions, then add baking soda. Put this mixture in a shallow dish and place it in areas with roach activity.
Baking soda produces gas in the roaches’ stomachs when they ingest it, and this causes their stomachs to explode.
Does Eliminating One Cockroach Bring In More?
Certainly, poisoning one roach can bring more cockroaches to the area. When cockroaches die, they produce an acid that other roaches can detect from a distance, which attracts more of them to the spot.
If there isn’t food available, this oleic acid causes cockroaches and other insects to respond by eating the dead roaches.
As a result, you can encounter more bugs than you anticipated soon after squishing the first cockroach you see scampering across the floor.