Who Should I Call to Get Rid of Roaches?

Stop roaches from encroaching on your home

Cockroach exterminator spraying house to get rid of roaches
Photo: AndreyPopov / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Cockroach exterminator spraying house to get rid of roaches
Photo: AndreyPopov / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Breyden Kellam
Written by Breyden Kellam
Contributing Writer
Updated May 2, 2024
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Finding cockroaches in your home pose more serious threats than simply being unsightly creatures. If DIY extermination methods are unsuccessful, you’ll need to determine who to call to get rid of roaches. Roaches can carry substances that can negatively affect your health and contaminate your food, so it’s essential to hire a professional quickly to eradicate them from your home. 

Benefits of Hiring a Cockroach Exterminator to Get Rid of Roaches 

Despite your best efforts to get rid of cockroaches on your own, these strong and speedy insects can be quite the formidable opponent. They can survive in less than ideal conditions and are clever at hiding. Not to mention, their robust exoskeleton design can make them nearly indestructible against the bottom of your shoe or other DIY methods.

Instead of contending with these pesky creatures, you’ll benefit greatly from hiring a local cockroach exterminator, especially when dealing with a severe infestation. A roach professional has the expertise, tools, and techniques to wipe out the infestation completely. Professional help can save you time, worry, health problems, and potentially money in the long run.

Can I DIY Cockroach Extermination?

Cockroach caught in glue trap
Photo: lassi meony / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

Once roaches have invaded your home, it can be difficult to clear them out. However, there are measures you can take to kill cockroaches and prevent them from returning. Keep in mind that you will likely need to hire a cockroach professional to resolve major infestations, despite DIY removal attempts.

Eliminate Roaches Naturally 

You can attempt to remove roaches using natural methods, such as putting out roach-repellant spices like citrus, bay leaves, and garlic. You can also contact spray cockroaches with a mixture of soap and water, but it won’t provide long-lasting or thorough results. Another option is to diffuse essential oils that repel cockroaches, such as tea tree and lavender.

Glue Traps

One effective way is to purchase glue traps. Traps can confirm the presence of roaches and assist in easily capturing them. It’s also helpful to identify the type of roach you’re dealing with. Different types of roaches may require different extermination strategies.

Borax

You can kill cockroaches instantly using boric acid. Spread this sodium-based product in the areas where you’ve seen cockroaches, wait for them to track the substance back to the others, and then clean up and dispose of the carcasses. It’s important to note that Borax can pose health risks to pets and children, and you should avoid using it in common areas of your home.

Bait or Bait Stations

Another eradication method is setting up bait stations or gel bait to trap and kill roaches. The bait attracts cockroaches, they consume the poison, and then spread it to others before dying. These options work well for minor infestations, but they are risky to use in homes with pets or children, causing serious harm if ingested.

Can I Hire a Pest Control Company for Cockroach Extermination? 

While cockroach exterminators may specialize in roach infestations, most pest control companies have the equipment and expertise to get the job done. In fact, a pest control company can work with you to formulate an effective treatment plan and long-term solutions to keep your home free of roaches. Even once the issue is resolved, you may choose to have your home treated regularly to prevent recurring infestations. 

How Do Cockroach Exterminators Get Rid of Roaches? 

Exterminators have an arsenal of techniques and tools at their disposal to get rid of roaches. Your pest control professional will come up with a unique treatment strategy based on the severity of the infestation and your specific needs.

  1. Conduct an in-depth investigation of your home to identify cockroach infested areas. 

  2. Devise a treatment plan that may include using methods such as chemical sprays, gel bait, glue traps, boric acid dust, fumigation, or house tenting. 

  3. Treat the exterior and interior areas of your home. This task may involve sealing up entry points and installing monitoring systems to prevent roaches from entering your home in the future. 

  4. Provide a detailed report of service and make recommendations to avoid future infestations. 

  5. Schedule a follow-up appointment to ensure treatment was effective and provide any reinforcements.

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Learn more about our contributor
Breyden Kellam
Written by Breyden Kellam
Contributing Writer
Breyden is passionate about writing for the cost-conscious homeowner who wants to update their space for maximum enjoyment. When she isn’t reading up on the latest home design trends, she can be found looking for creative ways to spruce up her own space.
Breyden is passionate about writing for the cost-conscious homeowner who wants to update their space for maximum enjoyment. When she isn’t reading up on the latest home design trends, she can be found looking for creative ways to spruce up her own space.
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