Cockroaches are a very frustrating infestation. They are very unclean and often live in the sewer. Their feces and saliva can give you food poisoning and even a staph infection and the baby cockroaches constantly shed old layers of carapace which can float in the air and cause respiratory infections and worsen respiratory issues like asthma. This is why it is so important to either treat the infestation on your own or call in a licensed professional.
Tiny cockroaches are babies. Cockroaches do not have instar transformations, they do not form a cocoon. They simply moult continuously as they age and grow into adults. The stage between egg and adult, when the young cockroach is moulting continuously is called the nymph stage. While the lifespan of cockroaches varies greatly based on human activities, predation and species the average age of a cockroach adult is about six months to fifteen months. If you have numerous baby cockroaches you will know that the infestation has entered the next stage, several pregnant females have entered your home and layed egg sacks called ootheca. Different species can have more eggs than others. If you are seeing a shocking number of tiny cockroaches coming out of one spot then it is likely german cockroaches as their ootheca can hold up to six times the number of eggs as other species. Cockroaches like to live in warm spots with high humidity. A bathroom and a kitchen are their primary hangouts as they need access to water and food constantly.
Things that attract cockroaches include water on the outside of your home, a leaky hose or uneven ground that gathers rain. If you have a water feature that can also attract them. Some cockroaches are more likely to access your home from the sewer through your drains, often large flood drains in the basement that most people do not pay much attention to. You will also attract them with food. Loose garbage and pet food outside or scattered in your kitchen after feeding your pets are often some of the most common attractors for cockroaches entering your home. Dirty open recycling is a danger that can attract all kinds of pests.
The process for getting rid of cockroaches starts with prevention. Even if you have an infestation right now it’s best to start by taking away things they want. Clean dishes immediately after you use them. Store your garbage in sealed containers. Install door sweepers to stop cockroaches from entering under doors. Clean the whole house and clean up any leftover food and dispose of it. Clean the stove and any other greasy areas and generally ensure that the cockroaches have access to no food of any kind. This includes cardboard boxes and newspapers. Any natural glues are edible for cockroaches.
One of the most powerful home remedies is boric acid or borax laundry soap which contains a large amount of boric acid. If you can get pure boric acid that would be better. You can make little balls of dough by mixing boric acid with sugar and flour in equal amounts. Moisten and make a dough. Make balls and place them all over the kitchen and bathrooms. The sugar and flour will attract the cockroaches but the boric acid will kill them.
