Dubai’s urban environment and its climate seem to be conducive to cockroaches, which often requires cockroach pest control services. However, that does not always happen, as many homeowners typically resort to home remedies instead. While these methods are pretty common and may seem helpful, they fall short when it comes to long-term effectiveness. Ultimately, such infestations require professional cockroach pest control in Dubai.
Here are a few home remedies commonly believed to help get rid of cockroaches:
1. Baking Soda and Sugar
A common misconception is that by combining baking soda and sugar, you can eliminate cockroaches. It is believed that the sugar lures the roaches in, while the baking soda upsets their stomachs. However, this approach may only work on a few cockroaches temporarily. It will not be effective to get rid of a full-blown infestation. Cockroaches can build resistance to certain methods and adapt their behavior. Also, they multiply quickly and this mixture may not reach those hiding in the walls, behind the kitchen cupboard, or under the floors.
2. Essential Oils
Essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, and lavender are often touted as cockroach repellents. The strong smell might make them stay away for a little while, but many do not react to these types of remedies. You would have to spray these oils all over your house every day, and that may still not completely get rid of the cockroaches. The same is true about tea tree oil as a pest repellent.
The scent of essential oils can keep your house smelling fresh, but these oils vary in their potency and are certainly not effective when it comes to eliminating cockroach infestations.
3. Store-Bought Traps and Sprays
While many opt for store-bought items as a quick fix to terminate cockroaches, these creatures can resist pesticides over time. It is crucial to place traps in the spots where cockroaches are likely to go, like along the walls or near food sources. Sprays also need to be used in specific areas to work well, but with extreme caution. Spraying randomly is not only a waste of product, the chemicals in cockroach sprays and gels can also be dangerous for kids and pets.
4. Ground Coffee
Natural products like coffee grounds can help keep roaches away, but they will not eliminate them permanently. The belief behind this is that the powerful smell of coffee repels these pests. The compounds inside them may contain insecticidal properties like caffeine and diterpenes that might stop cockroaches from coming in for a short time. Ultimately, they will discover other ways to get into your house.
Coffee may make the cockroach go away, but not all pests; ants are attracted to the aroma. Also, exposed coffee grounds can be toxic for kids and pets if consumed in large quantities. If you have cats, it is best not to use this hack at home because cats can reach all places to get to the coffee ground — even high places like the countertops or your cabinets!
5. Lemon Juice and Vinegar
The mixture of lemon juice and vinegar is effective in cleaning surfaces, but it does not kill cockroaches. It may make your home less appealing to pests for a while, but it will not completely eliminate a cockroach nest or prevent an infestation. The reason is that while the acidic element in vinegar may disrupt the exterior waxy coat of some pests, it does not penetrate deep enough to affect cockroaches considerably.
6. Bay Leaves
Many people think that bay leaves can prevent cockroaches from coming into their homes because of the strong smell. However, there is no scientific evidence to prove that bay leaves repel cockroaches. While you may notice a decrease in cockroach sightings after placing bay leaves around, this effect is usually temporary. Once the leaves lose their strong aroma, the cockroaches are likely to return if there is still food available.
7. Dish Soap
Some people believe that spreading dish soap is a good idea to eliminate cockroaches because it can suffocate them. Well, not true! Cockroaches are resilient and can survive being exposed to soapy water due to their tough outer shell. You may see a few dead roaches as the dish soap may work temporarily on some insects, but it is not a reliable long-term solution.
A Few Preventive Measures That May Work
- With frequent dust storms in Dubai, houses get extremely dusty, and dirty. So clean your home regularly, especially the kitchen and dining area.
- Store food in airtight containers and always clean up any spills and crumbs quickly.
- Since the weather in Dubai is pretty hot, the garbage bins become a place for cockroaches to breed. Hence, close your garbage bags tightly and take them out regularly.
- Check your home for any gaps, and cracks around windows, doors, and pipes. If you find any, seal them up to stop cockroaches from getting in.
- A ventilated indoor environment is less inviting for all sorts of pests. Therefore, make sure areas like your kitchen and bathrooms have good air circulation.
Why Get Professional Cockroaches Pest Control in Dubai
These common home remedies may provide temporary relief, but they do not ensure complete eradication of the cockroach infestation. For successful results, you need the help of experts. They have the experience and knowledge about effective methods and treatments to detect the cause of the infestation and get rid of it.
So, do not let cockroaches take over your house. Instead, take action as soon as you sight a couple of these pests scurrying around your home. Visit the ServiceMarket website for a professional and licensed services providing effective pest control for cockroaches to enjoy a clean, and safe living for you and your family.
