Cockroaches are one of the most unwelcome household pests. They can contaminate surfaces and food, and may trigger allergies in some people.
The good news is that there are simple, effective steps you can take to reduce activity and bring an infestation under control. In this guide, we share 11 practical tips to help you tackle cockroaches quickly and safely.
Quick Answer: How to Stop Cockroaches (Next 24–48 Hours)
- Confirm hotspots: Put 2–4 sticky traps under the sink, behind the fridge/cooker, and along skirting boards.
- Remove food and water: Wipe grease and crumbs, store food in airtight containers, empty bins nightly, and fix drips.
- Deep clean hidden zones: Clean behind appliances, under kickboards, and inside cupboard corners.
- Seal harbourage: Close gaps around pipes, broken tiles, and wall/floor junctions.
- Use baits as the main kill method: Place bait stations where cockroaches travel and hide; avoid blanket spraying.
- Use sprays/powders only as targeted support: If using a cockroach-labelled spray or dust, apply lightly to cracks, crevices and voids (where the label allows), and avoid spraying directly around bait placements.
1. Understand Cockroach Behaviour
It is important to have a basic understanding of cockroach behaviour if you want the best chance of stopping them. Knowing the typical places where cockroaches like to hide gives you the upper hand when you are trying to remove them. Cockroaches are nocturnal and tend to hide in damp, dark places during the day, most commonly emerging at night to feed. They thrive in warm, humid environments such as kitchens, bathrooms, and basements/cellars.
2. Eliminate Food Sources
Cockroaches are attracted to food and water sources, so keeping your home tidy and clean is critical. Remove food debris promptly, use sealed containers, clean up spills immediately, and regularly dispose of rubbish in sealed bins. Eliminating food sources makes your home less appealing to cockroaches.
3. Reduce Moisture
Reducing moisture makes your home less attractive to cockroaches. They prefer damp spaces. Identify and fix leaky pipes, dripping taps, or other sources of water. Make sure kitchens and bathrooms are well ventilated and dry. You may find it helpful to air your home regularly and use extractor fans to vent excess moisture outdoors.
4. Seal Entry Points
Cockroaches can enter your home through tiny cracks and gaps. This includes cracks around doors and windows, as well as gaps around pipes and other service entry points. Inspect your home thoroughly, especially around doors, windows, walls, and pipework. When you identify a potential entry point, seal it carefully with caulk or weather stripping. This helps keep cockroaches out and reduces hiding places indoors.
5. Set Up Bait Stations
Cockroach bait stations (and bait gels, where used) are often one of the most effective DIY control methods for ongoing infestations. Place bait where cockroaches travel and hide, such as under sinks, behind appliances, inside cupboards, and along edges.
Avoid placing bait in exposed, wet, or heavily cleaned areas, and avoid blanket spraying near bait placements, as this can reduce bait uptake. Check and refresh bait as directed on the product label.
6. Use Sticky Traps
Sticky cockroach traps are a simple and effective tool for monitoring and reducing cockroach activity around your home or business. Place them in areas where cockroach activity is suspected, such as along skirting boards, behind appliances, or in cupboards. Sticky traps help monitor and catch individual cockroaches, especially along skirting boards and near harbourages; however, they do not target the source of an infestation.
Use traps mainly for monitoring: note where you catch the most roaches, then concentrate cleaning/proofing and bait placement there. If trap counts are not clearly falling after 2–3 weeks, expand checks to adjacent rooms (cockroaches often spread through wall voids and service gaps).
7. Use Insecticide Sprays and Powders as Targeted Support
Cockroach control sprays and powders can help with fast knockdown of visible roaches, and provide longer-lasting control in cracks, crevices, and voids (see instructions). These treatments are best used as targeted support, not a substitute for baiting.
Focus applications on harbourages and travel routes (where the label allows), such as pipe entry points, skirting edges, and gaps behind appliances. Apply lightly and precisely, and always keep products away from children, pets, and food preparation areas.
Avoid blanket spraying, especially near bait placements, as this can reduce bait uptake and make control less effective. Always follow the product label exactly.
8. Apply Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth can be used as a physical powder treatment in dry areas where cockroaches travel, such as along skirting edges, under appliances, and in cracks or crevices. Apply a thin layer only and avoid damp areas, where it is less effective. Keep it away from children, pets, and food areas, and use it as a supporting measure alongside baiting, cleaning, and proofing.
9. Clean Surfaces Thoroughly
Regularly clean surfaces, cupboard edges, and areas around appliances to remove grease, crumbs, cockroach droppings, and scent trails. This helps make the area less attractive to cockroaches and supports other control measures such as baiting and trapping.
10. Regularly Inspect and Maintain Your Home
Stay vigilant by regularly inspecting your home for signs of cockroach activity. Check for droppings, egg casings, and physical sightings. Regular maintenance and cleaning will help you catch infestations early and prevent them from spreading.
Some customers use ultrasonic cockroach repellers as an additional measure, but they should not replace cleaning, proofing, baiting, and monitoring.
11. Consider Professional Help if Necessary
If you are unable to get your cockroach infestation under control despite your best efforts, it may be time to call in a professional. Pest control services can offer stronger solutions as well as tailored advice to help bring an infestation under control safely and effectively.
Final Word
Cockroach control usually works best with a combined approach: monitoring, cleaning, moisture reduction, proofing, and baiting first, with sprays and powders used as targeted support where appropriate. Acting quickly and consistently gives you the best chance of bringing activity under control and reducing re-infestation.
We aim to stock DIY cockroach control products that are effective, safety-minded, and easy to use, with clear guidance. You may also find our expert guide useful if you want to learn more about getting rid of cockroaches in your home.
We go to great lengths to ensure that all our DIY cockroach control products are effective, fast & easy-to-use. You may also find our expert guide useful if you want to learn more about getting rid of fleas from your home or workplace.
