Cockroaches are a problem because they leave "roach dust". If you have asthma, this will affect you. Cockroaches are tricky to kill because they are hardy insects. Here are some methods to kill them.

Cockroaches can be a pest. Once they are in your house, they often make nests and stay for awhile. Cockroaches start off pretty small but grow really big. Maybe when they are small, they don't really bother you but when they mature, they become quite big. If you have an infestation of cockroaches it would be a more humane approach to remove them and relocate them. However, they are a pest and the best thing to do is kill them. They are tricky to kill because they are very resilient. There are different varieties of cockroaches. Cockroaches are not safe to have in your home because they emit "roach dust". People with asthma are sensitive to roach dust. An asthma attack can be brought about by roach dust. Even if you have gotten rid of your roach infestation, you will still have roach dust in your home. You need to do a thorough cleaning to remove the roach dust.

Cockroaches are nocturnal. You will see most of their activities take place at night time. There are several ways that you can kill them. You can get a pest control spray like Raid. Raid may not do the job single handedly. You may be required to use various different pest controls depending on the variety of the cockroach and how hardy it is. Sometimes even if you spray frequently, they will still return. Sometimes red wine does the trick if they are babies. Put out a dish of sweet red wine. They like the sweet taste and the wine makes them drunk. It can kill them sometimes. This method is not always guaranteed to work.

There are new methods to remove roaches. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a guaranteed technique that is used to destroy cockroaches in your home. This method essentially doesn't allow cockroaches to enter or leave their home. It also takes away their food and water source. This method uses borate powder which is the same stuff they use on dogs and cats as a flea control. This means that it is very safe to use even if you have young children.

There are also roach baits that you can buy. These are special foods that attract cockroaches. Roach bait comes in a gel, paste and powder format. You only need a little bit that can be dispensed with a syringe. In only takes a few days to remove roaches this way. It should take no more than 5 days to eradicate the problem. If you are using the bait, strong odors will deter them from eating the bait. If you smoke cigarettes, you will want to do it outside. If you wear strong perfume, put it on after you leave the house.

Cockroaches like small little places. They love clutter. If you have piles if things, they will easily find a home. They use them to make their homes. If you have piles of newspapers, cardboard boxes, or anything that could potentially become a home, get rid of it. This way they will be displaced and homeless.

Destroy their entrance and exit points in your home. Seal any holes or small openings in your home. Go around with a calking gun. For larger holes, fill them with steal wool. You can even nail a piece of wood to a large hole. Just make sure that when you seal it, the area is airtight.

Keep your food in sealed containers. For example, if you buy a bag of rice or a box of cereal, transfer them to an airtight Tupperware. Any little crumbs can be a whole day's food for a cockroach. Keep your food crumbs to a minimum by frequent vacuuming or sweeping. Your garbage can is also a food source for cockroaches. Sterilize and clean your trash can regularily. Take out the garbage every day. Sweep down your pantry shelves to eliminate any crumbs.

If you take this advice, you will get rid of your cockroach problem. Good luck.