According to Japanese experts, here are the best ways to eliminate cockroaches and some prevention methods.
When the weather becomes hot and humid, our homes create perfect hiding spots for cockroaches. After several months of cool weather without cockroaches in the fall, winter, and spring, they start to return in the summer, causing much annoyance to everyone.
You should not use a vacuum cleaner to eliminate cockroaches.
Most of us tend to swat them with the first thing we find or use insect spray. These are the most common methods.
But are these methods really effective? According to Earth, the largest manufacturer of insect repellent products in Japan, some products work while others do not.
Some people are concerned about exterminating cockroaches with temporary weapons such as fly swatters, slippers, or rolled-up newspapers, as it may spread bacteria or disperse cockroach eggs. However, experts at Earth state that as long as you don’t touch the cockroach with bare hands, it’s a good method to eliminate them.
Pay attention to eliminating cockroach eggs to prevent them from breeding in your home
Cockroaches carry their eggs in a pouch called ootheca. It is covered by a hard shell, making it difficult for the eggs to scatter even if they fall from the body. Thus, you can easily clean up the cockroach nests without worrying about leftover eggs in your home.
However, because cockroach eggs are contained in a protective pouch, insecticides may not be effective. Therefore, the best way to dispose of a dead cockroach is to place it in a plastic bag, crush it, and throw it in the trash.
One thing is certain: you should not use a vacuum cleaner to eliminate cockroaches. They may die inside the vacuum, creating unsanitary conditions and emitting unpleasant odors.
Additionally, even if the cockroach dies inside the vacuum, the eggs it carries may still survive. The nymphs that hatch from the eggs will find ways to escape from the vacuum, leading to even worse consequences.
In the case of capturing a live cockroach, the best method is to use hot water or pour some shampoo on it. According to experts at Earth, cockroaches can be killed by water heated to 60 degrees Celsius, so hot water is an effective weapon, but you must be extremely careful to avoid burns.
Body wash and shampoo can also be effective solutions as they can clog the pores of the cockroach or its respiratory openings. Essentially, these chemicals will suffocate the cockroach. Such products also contain surfactants that help remove the protective waxy coating on the cockroach. This protective coating repels water and other particles that settle on the cockroach’s body, which is why it is very difficult to drown them.
However, once the waxy coating is destroyed by the surfactant, the shell cannot repel contaminants, blocking the spiracles around the cockroach’s body. So even if it manages to run away, it may not survive long.
That said, the nozzle of shampoo and soap bottles is not convenient for aiming and spraying, which means you might easily miss a cockroach, especially in cases of panic when one suddenly appears. The best option you have when in the bathroom is a bathroom cleaner. It serves a similar function and also contains surfactants, with an easy nozzle for aiming and spraying.
Be careful when handling dead cockroaches.
Now that you know the best way to kill a cockroach, how do you get close enough to deal with it? Make sure to approach them from the front rather than from behind.
Cockroaches have a part at the back of their bodies called cercus that helps them sense movement in the air. Therefore, they will run away as soon as they detect you. However, cockroaches cannot run backward, so you will have a better chance of swatting them with whatever weapon you have if you approach from the front.
Be cautious when handling cockroaches after they are dead
After it has died, be careful when handling the dead cockroach. One thing to remember is that even if it stops moving, it may not be dead. Cockroaches can also be stunned. Make sure to handle it cautiously; otherwise, it might thrash around as you pick it up, and in a panic, you could end up throwing it all over the room. That would be unfortunate, right?
Arm yourself with what you need when facing a cockroach, such as gloves or anything to cover your hands.
The body of a cockroach can carry many harmful bacteria, and its droppings and remains can cause allergic reactions. Therefore, using gloves or hand coverings is very necessary.
If you do not want to touch it directly, you can use tape to pick it up and throw it into a plastic bag without fearing its creepy legs or its unpleasant rough body.
Finally, you may notice brown stains around your home; these are traces left by cockroaches after they die and their droppings. Sometimes the stains will come with black or brown streaks measuring 1-3mm. This is cockroach feces.
Of course, the best way to deal with cockroaches is to prevent them entirely. You can try natural methods such as using peppermint, orange peels, lemon, onions, coffee grounds, baking soda, alum, and classic cockroach traps. Good luck!
