How to Get Rid of Cockroaches Permanently: Step-by-Step Guide

Few pests are as stubborn, or as unwelcome, as cockroaches. On the humid Gulf Coast, Texas City homes give them everything they need. Here is a step-by-step plan to get rid of them for good.

Step 1: Find the harborage

Roaches hide in warm, damp, hidden spots, behind and under appliances, in cabinet voids, and near plumbing. Finding where they live is the key to eliminating them, not just where you see them.

Step 2: Cut off food and water

Clean thoroughly, store food sealed, fix leaks, and dry out damp areas. Roaches can survive on almost nothing, so cutting the supply weakens the population.

Step 3: Treat at the source

Gel baits placed where roaches travel are far more effective than sprays, because roaches carry the bait back to the harborage. Sprays scatter them and often make the problem worse.

Step 4: Keep them out

Seal the cracks and gaps they use to enter and travel. For an established infestation, a local pro can treat the harborage directly and break the breeding cycle, which is what permanent control really requires.