The cockroach is one of the most detestable pests, and finding one inside your home is cause for concern. However, you don’t have to fill your living space with roach spray chemicals to eliminate them, which may put you, your family, and your pets at risk. Learn how to use diatomaceous earth for roaches to safely get rid of these insects.
Cockroaches are notorious for making a quick escape and are often gone as soon as you see them. Nothing is more alarming than knowing you have roaches loose in the house but don’t know where they are and how to get rid of them.
It’s vital to take pest control measures immediately to prevent an infestation. Once a roach is inside, there’s a good chance it isn’t leaving anytime soon. In fact, it probably invited friends, and it’s not long before one cockroach turns into hundreds of roaches.
- Using Diatomaceous Earth to Eliminate Cockroaches
- What is Diatomaceous Earth?
- Will Diatomaceous Earth Kill Cockroaches?
- How to Apply Diatomaceous Earth Indoors for Roaches
- How to Use Diatomaceous Earth for Roaches Outside
- Clean Up Diatomaceous Earth After Eliminating Roaches
- Are There Alternatives to Diatomaceous Earth for Killing Roaches?
- Ways to Prevent Cockroaches Indoors
Using Diatomaceous Earth to Eliminate Cockroaches
What is diatomaceous earth, and how does diatomaceous earth kill cockroaches? Find out about this natural ingredient, how it is ideal for controlling insects, and ways to use it to prevent a cockroach infestation. It’s also one of the best natural ways to get rid of bed bugs too. Try it for spiders and a variety of other unwanted bugs.
What is Diatomaceous Earth?
While diatomaceous earth, DE, sounds like some rare, exotic substance, it’s a common material with many purposes. Learn what DE is and how it benefits the home and garden.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring powder from the fossilized remains of diatoms – tiny, aquatic organisms. Over time, the diatoms accumulate in the sediment of streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans. These fossilized diatoms contain 80 to 90% silica, a natural substance resulting from the aquatic skeletons.
More than 150 diatomaceous earth products are registered for indoor and outdoor pesticide use, yet many non-pesticide items contain DE, including toothpaste, skin care products, beverages, foods, and medicines.
Will Diatomaceous Earth Kill Cockroaches?
Will diatomaceous earth kill cockroaches? While it takes a little longer than a commercial chemical insecticide, DE effectively eliminates this common pest. It also kills ticks, fleas, and more. Discover how diatomaceous earth kills insects and the benefits of using it over traditional pesticides.
DE vs Cockroaches
Do roaches eat diatomaceous earth? This powder effectively eliminates a range of small insects, like spiders, bed bugs, and ants, and it’s excellent for getting rid of cockroaches, including the German cockroach, Oriental cockroach, and American cockroach. However, they do not eat the DE dust.
How does diatomaceous earth kill roaches? Contrary to belief, it isn’t a poison like other insecticides. Instead, diatomaceous earth dries out the cockroach, and it dies after brushing up against the microscopic sharp edges of the DE powder.
How to Apply Diatomaceous Earth Indoors for Roaches
Cockroaches are notorious for spreading diseases and germs – keeping them out of the house is vital. Here is how to apply diatomaceous earth indoors for roaches to prevent a roach infestation. It’s the best roach killer for apartments as it doesn’t leave any unpleasant smells.
Will diatomaceous earth kill cockroaches? Luckily, this naturally occurring powder works wonders at getting rid of roaches and other insects, and you can apply it wet or dry. It gets rid of cockroaches fast. The dry method to get rid of cockroaches indoors is easy.
Put on a face mask and pour DE into a plastic soda bottle. Drill holes into the bottle top, screw it in place and spray the dust through the holes into small crevice spaces where roaches hide. It can be used inside of any kitchen cabinet or furniture and it’s safe for pets and humans. Sprinkle the powder in cupboards, or use garbage as roach bait and shake powder around the trashcan base.
How to Use Diatomaceous Earth for Roaches Outside
Knowing how to apply diatomaceous earth indoors for roaches is only half the battle. It’s equally important to understand how to use DE for roaches outside around the yard to stop them from entering your living area.
Does diatomaceous earth kill roaches outside? Yes, DE is just as useful for pest control outside as indoors. DE is a natural part of any homemade roach killer mixture. To make a slurry that sticks to outdoor surfaces, combine two cups of water and half a cup of food grade diatomaceous earth in a spray bottle and swirl it well to mix. Spray it outside the house, garage, and other structures on a dry day and reapply as needed.
Clean Up Diatomaceous Earth After Eliminating Roaches
You may find that you have quite a mess to clean after applying DE powder indoors. Not only do you have a dead roach, but there’s leftover dust throughout the house. Follow these helpful tips for cleaning up after using diatomaceous earth.
There’s no need to worry about cleaning DE residue outdoors since rain washes it away. However, it’s a good idea to clean up the dust indoors after it’s done its job of eliminating roaches.
Use a broom to sweep up the DE dust from hard surfaces, dispose of it in the trash, and vacuum any carpeting and rugs where you apply the powder. If dust is still stubbornly sticking to the floor, use a mop and cleaning solution to remove it.
Check beneath all furniture, in closets, under appliances, and other hiding places, and sweep up dead roaches when you find them. If you use food or trash as cockroach bait, toss it in the garbage can with the rest of the material.
Are There Alternatives to Diatomaceous Earth for Killing Roaches?
While our favorite form of cockroach control is diatomaceous earth, there may be times when you do not have access to food-grade diatomaceous earth. There are a few other natural ways to kill roaches for the best pest control.
Borax, boric acid, and baking soda are good alternatives to diatomaceous earth. Combine equal parts of one with powdered sugar in a bowl as bait. Place the container where you suspect roaches hang out. The sugar acts as bait, while the active ingredients like baking soda, Borax, or boric acid kills cockroaches and pests after they ingest it.
Ways to Prevent Cockroaches Indoors
Many bugs find the inside of your home inviting, from bed bugs to German roaches. While using DE, boric acid, or a bait station helps keep them in check, we’d rather avoid their presence in the first place.
Since a roach enters your living space mainly for food, keeping food items secure in containers with lids and taking out the trash each night before bed is essential. Likewise, insects aren’t picky; they are happy eating leftover scraps on dishes and counters.
Rinse dishes after each meal, place them in the dishwasher, clean up spills on tables and counters, and sweep the kitchen floor to remove food crumbs. Use an organic pest control method as soon as you discover roach activity to prevent an infestation.
Diatomaceous earth is the perfect remedy for getting rid of the cockroach pest. It adheres to their exoskeleton when they come out of hiding, eventually causing their demise. The best thing about food grade DE is that it’s safe to use outside and inside your home.
We hope that knowing how to use diatomaceous earth for roaches keeps your home roach-free, and we’d love it if you’d share our guide for using diatomaceous earth to eliminate cockroaches with your social circle on Pinterest and Facebook.