Cockroaches In The Bedroom – How To Get Rid Of Them And Prevent A Re-Infestation

Last Updated on July 27, 2023 By Emma W. Thomas

To get rid of cockroaches in the bedroom, follow these steps:

• Keep the room clean and clutter-free
• Seal cracks and crevices
• Use roach baits or traps
• Apply boric acid or diatomaceous earth
• Use natural repellents like peppermint oil
• Seek professional pest control if infestation persists

How To Eliminate Cockroaches From Your Bedroom

Sometimes cockroaches infest your home even after employing all preventive measures. There are several techniques that you can use to rid them from your bedroom, including;

Cleaning

Cockroaches get attracted to filth and dirt in a room as they are constantly looking for food. By cleaning your home thoroughly, you are sure to keep these annoying creatures at bay. Since roaches can crawl from the kitchen to your bedroom, ensure that you clean your utensils and keep them away after meals, remove any spills & crumbs immediately, mop your room regularly, remove grease from the stovetop, seal any left-over food in air-tight jars. 

Using Traps

You can purchase traps from home improvement stores or supermarkets to get rid of cockroaches. These devices use baits or scents to attract roaches which in turn get caught inside. Ensure that you check the traps periodically since it takes time for you to notice any positive results. 

Liquid Concentrates

There are liquid concentrates that are available in stores and which are designed to deter roaches. You can buy this product, dilute it, and spray it into crevices and cracks using a spray bottle. Make sure to reach any potential hiding areas. You can also use the solution to wipe counters and mop the floor. Liquid concentrates are among the effective solutions to roach infestation, as you can see the results overnight. 

Store-Bought Baits

You can also use store-bought baits to get rid of roaches from your home. These baits are designed to disguise insecticides as a food source, and once the creatures feed on them, they will die. When some cockroaches eat the baits, they help spread the poison to others, and as a result, all the creatures die. 

For efficiency, you can place the baits underneath kitchen cabinets & sinks, near garbage cans, and also in the bathrooms. 

Boric Acid

Boric acid is among the most effective and safe home remedies for roaches, especially for homeowners who are keen DIYers. You will mix equal portions of flour, sugar, and boric acid to use this product and make a dough. You will then place the balls of dough in places where roaches are normally present, such as closets, stovetops, under the refrigerator, at the back of drawers and cabinets, and so on. 

The flour and sugar mixture attracts the cockroaches while boric acid kills them. Once some of these creatures die, they will become food for others, hence eliminating them. You should handle boric acid with great care since it can be extremely dangerous to your pets. It is even better to avoid it if you have pets around your house. 

Calling In A Professional Exterminator

Sometimes the infestation of roaches may persist even after trying all the above DIY tips. If this is the situation, you can call in a licensed exterminator to deal with these creatures. 

What Type of Cockroaches Are in My Home?

Common types of cockroaches found in homes include:

1. German Cockroach (Blattella germanica): Small, light brown or tan roaches often found in kitchens and bathrooms.
2. American Cockroach (Periplaneta americana): Larger reddish-brown roaches, commonly found in dark and moist areas like basements.
3. Oriental Cockroach (Blatta orientalis): Dark brown or black roaches preferring damp and cool environments.
4. Brown-banded Cockroach (Supella longipalpa): Small, light brown roaches that prefer warmer, drier areas and can infest multiple rooms.
5. Smokybrown Cockroach (Periplaneta fuliginosa): Large, dark brown roaches typically found outdoors but can enter homes.
6. Australian Cockroach (Periplaneta australasiae): Brownish roaches that often infest bathrooms and kitchens.

Which Are The Preventive Methods For Roaches’ Infestation?

Getting rid of cockroaches after an infestation can be quite challenging. There are various techniques that you can use to ward off these creatures, including;

Keep Away Cardboard Boxes And Newspapers.

Roaches get attracted to newspapers and cardboard boxes lying around the home. They love to hide and breed on these items, and it is thus important to clear them from your home. Doing this will help keep your home safe from infestation. 

Declutter Your Rooms

Roaches love to hide in cluttered areas, and one of the best ways to prevent an infestation is by decluttering your rooms. Ensure that your home is free of clutter as much as possible. Doing this will ensure that there are fewer areas for the roaches to hide during the day. When denied cover to eat during the day, the pests may not stay around.

Sealing All Cracks And Other Entry Points

Cockroaches crawl into your home through cracks & crevices and also under the door. Although it may be hard to notice these entry points, the areas to check include; crawlspace vents and attic, along the roof & foundation, around doors & windows, or near holes used for gas, electric, and plumbing lines. 

Ensure that you inspect the problem areas at least once per year and seal any visible cracks. If you notice large gaps, especially around pipes, you can use steel wool and foam, but you can seal tiny holes using caulk. If the large openings are around attic vents and chimneys, you can create a fine wire mesh barrier.

Use Of Essential Oils

Some essential oils are effective in repelling cockroaches from your home. For example, you can mix peppermint oil with water and spray the mixture around the bed to deter roaches. If you have a problem with a German cockroach infestation, then you can use thyme or Catnip oils to repel the creatures. 

You can also use ginger, turmeric, clove, lemongrass, and cinnamon to repel American cockroaches. 

Removing Any Beddings From The Floor

It is necessary to ensure that no bedding drag on the floor. You can do this by picking them up and tucking them on, and making sure that you put away any bed skirts. Remove any item that the roaches can hold on to get into your bed. 

Use Of Vinegar

White vinegar does not kill roaches, but it can act as an effective home remedy for these creatures. You can mix this solution with cedar oil or tee tree essential oil to create a strong cleaning and cockroach-repellent solution. Cleaning your surfaces with vinegar can also help to keep the pests at bay. 

Bay Leaves

Bay leaves have a strong fragrance due to the presence of the eucalyptol compound. They are effective home remedies for repelling roaches from closets, cabinets, and kitchen areas. Ensure that you clean your room thoroughly and place the leaves in areas where you spot the cockroaches for maximum effectiveness. 

How Do Cockroaches Get Into The Bedroom?

Cockroaches get attracted to humid, warm, and dark places such as the bedroom. If your bedroom is warmer and darker, it creates a very conducive environment for them to hide in, but they can also get used to cold temperatures over time. 

Roaches can also fit in tiny cracks as they can squeeze into tight spaces by splaying their legs and flattening themselves. They will hide behind baseboards and inside wall outlets. While there may not be food and water in your bedroom, roaches can be attracted to broken hair and dead skin. 

Your closets and dressers provide good hiding spots for roaches as well as food and shelter if not properly cleaned. 

Why Do Roaches Come To Your Home?

To effectively control cockroach infestation in your home, it is necessary to know what attracts them. If you know the conditions that are right for them, you will easily avoid them. The following are some of the reasons why you will have these creatures around;

Availability Of Food

Food presence is one of the main reasons why you have roaches in your home. The closer a room is to the kitchen, the higher the number of roaches in this place. If there are some food particles in your bedroom, this is a sure attraction to roaches. Cockroaches feed on anything they come across, including hair particles, and it is important to get rid of them.

Moisture And Darkness

Cockroaches love darkness to keep away from human eyes. They hide in dark corners of your room as they eat any food pieces, newspapers, cardboard, or wood. Since they also rely on water for their survival, they like moist places. Ensure that all areas of your house, such as kitchen sinks and underneath bathroom mats, are clean and dry.

Conducive Outdoor Environments

If you have a conducive breeding environment outside your home, it will act attract an infestation. Composite bins, heavy vegetation, warm & humid areas, and leaky outdoor taps are some of the conducive environments for roaches. If you have such places around your home, it will make it easy for the organisms to find their way inside. 

Ensure that you repair any leaks, keep any vegetation neat, empty the composite bins regularly, and keep your home tidy. Doing this leaves the roaches with nothing to be attracted to. 

Cockroach-Infested Items

Sometimes you may move into a new home and realize that you have carried roaches from the old home. Roaches hide in old appliances like microwaves, toasters, and televisions. They also take cover in old cardboard boxes, especially if they were kept in dark places such as garages and basements. 

To avoid such problems, make sure to regularly clear the clutter, which will help eliminate the roaches. 

Conclusion

Having cockroaches in your bedroom can be disgusting and also lead to health problems. There are many ways to get rid of the creatures, including store-bought baits & traps, using boric acids, or calling an expert. You can apply home remedies such as vinegar and essential oils to prevent their entry. 

But, since the creatures are attracted to a dirty environment, keeping your home clean all the time is the most effective way of keeping them at bay.

References:

https://www.insider.com/guides/home/how-to-get-rid-of-roaches
https://smithspestmanagement.com/blog/post/how-to-get-rid-of-roaches-in-your-home/