Maybe you’ve considered getting a roommate. Just not one with antennas and six legs.
Roaches are frustrating in any home, but apartment buildings add a twist: roaches can travel between units through walls, pipes, and shared spaces. The fastest path to relief is a two-part plan: getting building help and making your unit a terrible place to live (for them).
Quick Steps to Getting Rid of Roaches
Do this first (today):
- Notify your landlord/property manager and request pest control for your unit.
- Deep-clean the kitchen (crumbs/grease/trash) and remove water sources (leaks, standing water).
- Seal gaps around pipes, baseboards, cabinets, doors, and windows.
- Use gel bait in cracks/crevices where roaches travel and hide.
Avoid this:
- Foggers (“roach bombs”): These can miss hiding spots and spread the problem through shared walls.
- Repellent sprays near bait: Using sprays near bait can make roaches avoid the bait, which slows control.
When it’s urgent:
You may have a serious infestation if you notice any of the following:
- Roaches during the day
- Activity multiple nights in a row
- Droppings or egg cases
No-Spray Options
If you prefer no-spray alternatives, here are some steps you can take:
- Keep food in airtight containers, wipe counters nightly, and don’t leave pet food out.
- Fix leaks and run a dehumidifier if humidity is an issue in your apartment.
- Caulk gaps, add door sweeps, seal pipe openings under sinks, and reduce clutter where roaches hide.
- Use sticky traps where activity is the highest (such as behind the fridge or under the sink) or use gel bait traps.
Natural Repellents: Do They Work?
Some studies have shown that essential oils like eucalyptus or tea tree oil can help repel roaches. Mix the oil with water in a spray bottle for a natural insect repellent, or soak cotton balls with the oil and place them in infested areas.
To eliminate roaches without chemicals, try a mixture of powdered sugar and boric acid (the roaches are attracted to the sugar, and the boric acid kills them), or a mixture of soap and water in a spray bottle (less effective because you’ll have to spray it directly on the roach).
How to Stop Future Infestations
You called in an exterminator and now your apartment is bug-free, right? Well, not exactly. If there are any eggs or larvae left, you could have another infestation in a few weeks or months. Here’s how to keep this from happening:
- Stay regularly scheduled for routine pest control. The best way to keep uninvited visitors out of your apartment for good is to have your apartment treated regularly.
- You can DIY pest control, but be careful what products you choose, especially if you have children or pets.
- Keep your apartment clean, especially the kitchen. Wash dirty dishes, vacuum crumbs, and mop the floors. Clean the bathroom, or any space in your apartment where roaches may find a good (damp and safe) nesting place, often.
- When dealing with an infestation, vacuum thoroughly and regularly. Empty the vacuum into the trash and immediately take it out to the dumpster to prevent larvae or eggs from hatching in your apartment.
With persistence, the right treatment, and patience, your pest problem can be solved. Maintain a clean apartment, keep regularly scheduled pest control, and your apartment should be free of unwelcome guests in no time.
Originally published on April 24, 2019 by Megan Bullock
