You can buy traps for cockroaches, or you can make them yourself. There is a wide choice on the market: insecticidal, electronic, adhesive. Which are the most effective ones you should study in order to achieve success and remove cockroaches completely and forever.
The best way to end a cockroach infestation is not just to kill individual cockroaches, but to destroy the nest. The best general product to achieve this goal is cockroach traps.
How effective are cockroach traps?
The most effective bait traps offer a two-pronged approach to attracting cockroaches. Inside each trap is a liquid bait that contains food and water, increasing the likelihood that cockroaches will be interested in that restaurant.
The trap should not be accessible to children or pets and there is no significant odor.
The inconvenient thing is that they must be changed regularly after the liquid has disappeared - usually after a month of use, depending on how quickly the bait is depleted.
Operating principle
The principle of operation, regardless of which house is in front of you, is the same. The insect gets inside the device, attracted by the smell of the bait. Then it dies due to the fact that it cannot get out, or due to exposure to some substance. Dead insects should be removed.
A disposable house is often equipped with an adhesive surface in which parasites get stuck. It is inexpensive, but does not have an excellent effect. The reusable house kills insects using insecticide or electric shock. Among the inconveniences, it is worth noting that the device should be periodically cleaned of corpses. The cost is slightly higher than that of disposable products. An ultrasonic device is more of a repeller.
How cockroach traps work
After deciding to install traps or bait for cockroaches, you need to determine which method of application is best suited for your situation, get acquainted with the traps in the photo.
The easiest way to kill cockroaches is to set traps and dispose of them when they are full. If you are dealing with a large infestation, you may need to apply the product in a comprehensive manner. Application methods for these products vary, but they include aerosol sprays, powders that are sprayed behind appliances or cabinets, or gels that get into cracks and crevices, the entire habitat must be treated.
Types of traps
A bait-type cockroach trap often uses liquid or food bait to lure these pests. Since cockroaches are constantly hunting for food or water, these types of traps can be a faster and more effective way to control an infestation.
Some traps combine liquid and food bait to attract as many cockroaches as possible.
Many cockroach traps contain active ingredients that are toxic to children and pets, so it is important to keep them out of reach. To avoid disaster, one option is to select cockroach traps that contain non-toxic active ingredients or have an alternative method of trapping cockroaches, such as glue boards, or electronic devices that repel insects with ultrasound.
Adhesive
When choosing sticky traps, look for ones where you don't want to see the caught cockroaches. You may have to look inside to know when the trap is full, but you won't have an unsightly board with dead roaches attached to the surface.
These traps typically last up to 4 months, depending on how quickly cockroaches and other pests take over. Once it is full, it should be thrown away and replaced with a new one.
As long as the traps do not contain pesticides, they are safe for children and pets. They are best suited for controlling occasional cockroach infestations rather than serious infestations - as they only kill individual insects rather than the entire nest.
Pills
Look for tablets that are a combination of boric acid and bait; they are odorless and won't stain. Many people find that they are an excellent solution for killing cockroaches in areas such as sinks, refrigerators and stoves or kitchen cabinets. The tablets are easy to spread and require no effort when applying the gel or spray.
You should store them in places where children or pets won't accidentally eat them, but this applies to almost all pest control products.
Dry sprays
If you need a spray that will dislodge cockroaches from their hiding places and prevent them from entering your home, then don’t skimp on the price. Make sure from reviews on the Internet that it works and the effect lasts up to several months.
Dry sprays are non-contact and are designed to remove cockroaches by washing and killing them. You don't spray cockroaches to kill them immediately. Instead, this spray pushes them out of hiding, poisons them so they will eventually die, and also prevents them from reaching the breeding stage.
Many people use it to spray areas where cockroaches live or can get in, such as under sinks, around toilets, along baseboards and around walkways.
Fogs
The mist kills cockroaches and other insects on contact, but it also treats the area and provides up to two months of additional pest control.
However, the mist vapors are toxic - so you will have to leave the room while using it and not return for at least two hours. All pets must also be removed.
After completing the procedure, it is recommended to ventilate the room for another two hours. This process is more involved than some other cockroach control methods, but it's a good step when the infestation seems to be protracted or you have other roaches you'd like to kill at the same time.
Ultrasonic
Electronic devices designed to chase cockroaches do not produce much results. Ultrasonic pest control devices emit high-frequency sounds beyond the range of human hearing. This supposedly affects the pest's nervous system. But while ultrasonic devices are highly irritating to crickets, they have very little repellent effect on cockroaches (or ants, spiders, mosquitoes and mice).
It would be great if you could plug in a high-tech repellent and get rid of ten types of pests without using chemicals. But until that day comes, you'd better clean your kitchen and take other preventive measures.
Electrical
Electric traps also use ultrasonic and electromagnetic waves to repel pests, including cockroaches. They do not kill cockroaches, but are intended to repel them. You can use this device to create a second line of defense after you have already thoroughly sanitized your home using other means.
Electrostatic
Electrostatic traps are not yet sold in Russia. The invention is currently being tested. The idea is to use electrostatic wax particles. The principle of operation is based on the difference in charges between the insect’s body and the charged wax. You need to pour the powder into a special device and put the bait there.
A cockroach in contact with charged wax will be unable to move for about 2 days. If all research is successful, the trap will become popular, as it will not have a negative impact on humans.
Poisonous (with insecticides)
Insecticidal traps are commercially available.
Syringes that work well are filled with a gel designed to kill many different types of cockroaches. The number of dead cockroaches becomes significant after just a few hours.
The gel should be squeezed onto floors, walls, cabinet hinges or other places where cockroaches are usually visible. This is considered a "crack and crevice" treatment, meaning you place the gel in paths commonly used by pests. Once the cockroaches have consumed all the gel, treat all listed areas again to continue killing the cockroach population. This method of treating cockroaches will remove a lot of dead insects, but it is very effective. Applying the gel is expensive and time-consuming, but for serious infestations it is the best choice due to its effectiveness.
What types exist
The industry produces traps with different operating principles. All of them are quite effective and can rid your home of cockroaches in a short time. To choose a specific device, you need to carefully study the operating mechanism of each of them and understand which will be more effective in a particular case.
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Adhesive devices
The product looks like a cardboard box, the bottom of which is covered with a sticky layer of starch glue. Inside this house for cockroaches there is a bait that attracts insects with an appetizing smell. Pests are unable to resist the aroma and crawl into the box through special holes located on the side walls. After getting inside, they stick to the bottom and die. After a certain time, the house is thrown away along with the dead insects, that is, the device is disposable.
The coating on the adhesive trap attracts cockroaches and contains poison.
To use the trap, you just need to remove the sticky layer from the coating, fold the cardboard in the shape of a house and install it in the right place. This product is absolutely non-toxic and will not harm the inhabitants of the house. It can be safely used by families with small children and pets. When using the product, you don’t have to be afraid of allergic attacks, and such a trap can also be placed next to food, and it will not cause unpleasant consequences. Many will be pleased with the low cost.
The disadvantages of sticky traps include their small capacity. Therefore, it is better to purchase several copies of devices at once. If there are too many cockroaches, the device may not cope with the task. The product will not work on eggs that cockroaches have already laid.
Electrical structures
They are a metal box with bait inside. Such a device operates from an electrical network, killing pests with a discharge of current. Destroyed pests are removed from the device using a special brush, and the bait should be changed periodically.
The bait lures the cockroaches inside, after which the insect receives a fatal electric shock.
The advantages of an electric cockroach trap include the fact that it works without any harmful insecticides and is completely safe for people and animals. In addition, it is designed for a long period of operation. Disadvantages include the need to limit children's access to the device and the relatively high cost. You should also place the device only in dry places to avoid short circuits.
Insecticides
Such traps work on the basis of a toxic substance, which is located inside a small box designed in a special way. The device has both an input and an output. This is done so that cockroaches, after contact with the poison, can infect their relatives with it. The trap is equipped with a special Velcro that allows you to attach the device out of the reach of children and animals. The appearance of the structure allows it to fit perfectly into the interior.
There are several popular manufacturers of such devices. They all use different types of insecticides. Here are some of them:
- Raptor and Clean House. The bait of these traps is chlorpyrifos, which leads to paralysis of the nervous system of pests.
The Raptor trap contains a substance inside that causes paralysis in cockroaches - Raid. They use an insecticide called lambda cyhalothrin, which is extremely powerful and causes a chain reaction of cockroach deaths.
- Traps Combat. These are the most effective traps for cockroaches. They are capable of exterminating an entire colony of insects thanks to hydramethylnon.
- Brownie and Dohloks. They contain fipronil. This chemical has a low degree of toxicity and is safe for humans. Cockroaches quickly develop a habit of it, so when using such traps you should additionally use other means of exterminating pests.
- Taiga. The poison formula for traps of this brand was developed a long time ago, so there is a possibility that insects can get used to it.
All devices of this type do not work immediately. The greatest effect occurs 1-2 weeks after their installation.
The ultrasonic sound of the repeller causes cockroaches to flee from its source
Ultrasonic devices
Such devices are not a trap in the truest sense of the word. They do not destroy pests, but repel them, making it impossible to stay indoors. This effect is achieved using ultrasound, which is completely indistinguishable to humans.
In cockroaches, ultrasound causes panic and causes them to lose orientation. Some time after installing the device, insects begin to leave the home.
Manufacturers
There are brands from many manufacturers on the market and almost all of them are well-known, so it is difficult to make a choice.
Forsyth
Forsyth adhesive traps are distinguished by the resistance of the sticky layer to water. They are not dangerous to humans, but do a good job of catching cockroaches. By purchasing one package, you get 5 glue traps that you need to assemble yourself. Additionally, the kit includes 5 bait tablets.
Cost from 150 rub.
Raptor
A well-known company that produces a variety of household pest control products. Raptor traps based on an insecticide, a synthetic substance with a contact-intestinal effect, have proven themselves well. Just a little poison is enough for the poisoned parasite to infect other individuals with the substance carried on its legs into the nest. To lure the cockroach, the manufacturer added aromatic preservatives of apricot or vanilla to the composition.
The device looks like a small plastic box with holes, inside of which insecticide is poured. The back wall is equipped with Velcro for attaching to the wall. The standard packaging includes 6 traps. Cost from 200 rub.
Combat
Contact trap "Combat" - has an epidemiological effect on cockroaches. This is the poison of the new generation. Inside there is a bait and an insecticide - hydramethylnon. The poison does not kill immediately, but after some time. Subsequently, relatives will become infected. The package contains 4 traps. Costing from 300 rub.
Argus
Argus - glue trap. Its main difference is that it does not require the installation of bait, which is already included in the sticky layer in the form of aromatic additives. The cockroach is lured by the smell of the treat, climbs inside and sticks to the wall. The set contains 5 cardboard houses. Cost from 200 rub.
destructive force
Lethal force is a trap of contact-intestinal action. Inside the trap there is a strong poison - chlopyrifos, which affects the insect's nervous system, then other organs. The cockroach dies from suffocation within 24 hours. By bringing insecticide into the nest, a cockroach is able to infect other individuals. Cost from 250–300 rub.
Taiga
Taiga is a glue trap with bait in the center of the glue layer. After opening the package, you simply need to construct a house from the folded cardboard. Cost from 50 rub.
Clean house
Clean house - the trap works based on the fact that the pest crawls into a special plastic box, inside of which there is a poison - chlorpyrifos - as bait. Validity up to 2 months. Cost from 150 rub.
Reid
Reid is the most famous repellent brand on the market. A special device kills all domestic cockroaches and also destroys the nest. Unlike homemade traps, this product starts working within hours rather than days or weeks. And the gel doesn't leak or drip from the applicator, which can sometimes happen with other similar products.
The trap is inactive until the cockroach eats the poison, and the applicator tube is so easy to use. The active ingredient in the cockroach gel is Indoxacarb. The infection algorithm is the same as in other traps.
Cost from 300 rub.
Dohlox
The Dohlox trap contains fipronil, an intestinal-active substance. It is similar in functionality and performance to similar devices. Many believe that cockroaches have already developed immunity to the drug, so it is not very popular. There are 6 traps in the package. Cost from 120 rub.
Electrical devices – durable and practical
These are reusable devices that operate on mains power. They are an aesthetically designed house with bait inside, the smell of which attracts cockroaches. Does not contain insecticides, so the trap is safe.
The device works on an interesting principle. The current kills cockroaches and disinfects dead insects. Under the influence of electricity, pheromones are released from the corpses, which attract other cockroaches - a chain reaction begins.
Consumers confirm the reliable operation of electric traps. People are happy with the instant death of cockroaches and the fact that the device is used for a long time. The device destroys colonies of cockroaches; no additional insecticides are required. The main thing is to buy the original and not a fake, then you won’t have to use additional chemicals.
The device operates under voltage and poses some danger to humans. When installing and operating, adhere to the following rules:
- used in dry indoor areas;
- placed on a non-flammable surface;
- periodically check the insulation;
- Before touching, the device is turned off.
Electric traps are not cheap, but they work for many years. The kit includes a brush for cleaning the device from corpses. The bait is periodically renewed, the regularity is determined by the number of insects.
How to make a cockroach trap with your own hands
When you discover that you have cockroaches, you will want to get them gone as quickly as possible. You might prefer to make a homemade trap so you can start getting rid of the problem today.
By using a cockroach trap, you can keep an eye on your problem and even visualize your infestation. You can also catch cockroaches to see where they come from and what kind of cockroaches you have. But keep in mind that traps will not eliminate your cockroach problem.
Traps help you keep track of where you think cockroaches might be coming from before you use stronger weapons. The traps work when you are not around, as these beetles often like to appear at night.
If you're on a budget or prefer to avoid spraying poisons, a cockroach trap may be the right choice for you. There are many types of homemade traps, below we talk about some of them.
From a pencil box
A pencil box makes a good trap because of its flat shape and hole on the outside. The device is practically no different in appearance and functionality from purchased glue houses.
Cover the inside of the box with double-sided tape or fixing glue, and then place the bait in the center. Cockroaches will crawl in for a treat, but will not be able to crawl back out.
From cans
The width of the neck of the jar will allow you to lubricate not only the neck, but also the inner walls. This gives even greater confidence that the pest will not be able to crawl back.
To make it you will need:
- jar or other container;
- fat-containing substance;
- fabric or paper;
- aromatic bait product.
Homemade boric acid trap
First, look for common problem areas: behind the refrigerator and stove, under the sink, around the trash can, spills in the pantry.
- Take white flour, boric acid, sugar and water. Mix 50/50 flour and boric acid. Add sugar to make up a quarter of the volume. Make a dough by adding water, but do not make it liquid.
- Roll the dough into small balls and place them in corners, dark cabinets, behind heavy appliances, along floorboards and around trash.
The creatures should disappear within a month.
If the infestation is large:
Double down on making a 50/50 mixture of boric acid and brown sugar, then pour the mixture in a thick line across the room and along entryways.
Additionally, sprinkle diatomaceous earth into corners and crevices. It is a natural insecticide that works by injuring the insect's body as it crawls over it. This powder then absorbs water from the host's body and the insect dies from dehydration.
Keep bait away from children and pets. If you have little ones running around, remove the balls behind furniture and heavy equipment, as well as inside cabinets.
Additional tips:
- You can also use borax as a boric acid substitute, but boric acid is more effective.
If necessary, replace old dried out balls with fresh ones or spray daily to keep them fresh.
From a plastic bottle
This trap won't kill the cockroaches either, but it does lure them into the bottle where they eventually become dehydrated or starve to death.
The method is simple:
- Apply lubricant to the inside edges of the jar or bottle and place some tasty cockroach food in the bottom of the lubricated container.
- Cockroaches will be attracted to the bait.
- The lubricant will prevent cockroaches from falling out of the bottle.
Another variant:
- Cut off the top half of the plastic bottle using a sharp knife.
- Apply petroleum jelly or lubricant to the inside of the bottom half of the bottle.
- Add bait to the bottom half of the resulting container.
- Turn the top half of the bottle upside down and place it on top of the bottom half of the bottle to create a funnel.
The cockroaches will enter the funnel, fall to the bottom of the bottle and will never be able to crawl back out.
Places to install cockroach traps
- Cockroach traps are an effective way to get rid of these bugs, but you can't just set them anywhere and hope for the best.
- You have to be strategic so that the cockroaches find her, go after her.
- If you see cockroaches, pay attention to where they hang out or where they rush when you scare them away.
- Look for signs of cockroaches - feces, shells, strange smells.
- Place traps in these areas so that cockroaches can easily find them and be tempted by the bait.
Prevention of cockroaches
The first thing you need to think about is what you want to achieve with your cockroach trap.
If you're killing cockroaches, think about the level of service you'll need. You will usually have to check the trap every few hours to remove all the dead roaches.
Main places to place traps:
Cockroaches will not fall into your trap if they are locked in some inaccessible area. You need to place traps in places where cockroaches have been seen before.
But if you've only seen one or two cockroaches and don't know where they're coming from, it's a good idea to place traps in the following areas:
- Along the baseboards in the room
- Behind the refrigerator or on the side
- Under the bathtub or kitchen sink
- Behind the food cabinets
Place traps and check them every two days. This will help you determine which areas of your home have the most cockroaches.
If the trap has not caught the roach in a few days or weeks, move it to another location where it may be more effective.
Bait can be a problem if the roaches are not caught in the trap, so if the trap still doesn't catch the roaches, be sure to change the bait.
Prevention of re-infection
Even the entry of 2-3 small cockroaches into a house after a short time can cause the population to multiply many times over. Therefore, knowing the peculiarities of their life activity and possible routes of infection, you need to take care of prevention.
READ ALSO: Where do cockroaches come from in an apartment and how to get rid of the ubiquitous insects yourself
Recommendations:
- Block the paths for insects to enter the room: place small grilles on the ventilation openings, eliminate cracks in the walls, near windows.
- Do not leave food in the public domain. Store them in tightly closed containers or in the refrigerator.
- Remove crumbs from the table and floor.
- Do not store dishes in the sink, but wash them immediately.
- Cover the trash can tightly with a lid.
- Avoid open sources of moisture. Eliminate leaks in pipes, wipe the sink and bathtub after use from water and food debris.
- Have cockroach repellent on hand.
- Do wet cleaning more often to wash away small crumbs from the floor.
From the following video you can learn how to make a trap for cockroaches with your own hands from available materials:
