We have already talked about how important it is to keep parasites away from home, and also about how to remove ants from both the apartment and your garden. Today, however, we are talking about cockroaches, probably some of the least liked insects in front of us.
The period most affected by the invasion of cockroaches is summer, a typical condition especially for those who live in the city, where cockroaches proliferate in the sewers. Even if perhaps someone doesn't know, it is good to remember that these insects not only know how to fly, but they are excellent climbers: on balance, nobody is "safe" from them, not even those who live on the upper floors. That's why you have to learn to know the enemy in order to defeat it.
Cockroaches: Why are I at home?
Just like ants, cockroaches are attracted to food. It is likely that at home there is a habit of leaving dirty pots and pans in the sink or leaving crumbs on the floor after the boys' snack. For a cockroach means an insured dinner! These insects, in fact, are able to go up through the water pipes, so be careful to always leave sinks and sinks clean and periodically check the drains. Moreover, since water is indispensable for these animals, also check the presence of any leakage in the house, which would represent a safe food for them.
The presence of cockroaches in the house can also be motivated by the presence of cracks in the wall, or cavities, which the insects have chosen to elect to their nest: this happens above all in the old houses, which have any structural failure. In this case, the situation is complicated, because removing a nest is not easy.
Usually, the cockroaches that are found in the city are the red ones, also called cockroaches; while in rural areas there are more black cockroaches.
Eliminate cockroaches with natural methods
Preferring natural methods for the elimination of cockroaches is definitely the best solution, especially when there are children and pets in the house, which could inadvertently inhale and/or eat the insecticide.
As a first important step to be taken, it is precisely to keep the house clean at all times, both from food and stagnant water. Then try to understand where the cockroaches come from, if they have a den: consider that they can fit under anything, from doors to furniture. So the only action you can do is to have patience and follow them when you see one coming out, especially when it is dark. Once you have found the den, you must necessarily use poisonous baits: there are several types of baits on the market, but you prefer closed ones, where only insects can enter; in this way, children and pet will be safe.
Of course, the elimination is not immediate, so you will need patience. Once you are sure that all cockroaches have been eradicated, you will have to clean the identified area such as the nest with bleach.
If you want to use a cheaper bait, you can mix it with boric acid and cocoa in equal parts, adding two parts of flour. Beware, however: this substance if ingested by people and/or animals is very toxic! Then position it only where it is not reachable.
Do-it-yourself cockroach traps
A recommended method if the presence of cockroaches is occasional is to make DIY traps. All you need is a plastic bottle and a knife. Proceed as follows:
Take the bottle and cut it to three quarters of its height.
Take the neck of the bottle and put it upside down inside the body of the bottle.
If it does not hold but tends to slide downwards, secure it with adhesive tape.
Add soap and water until the bottle is upside down.
put the trap in a place frequented by cockroaches