Most of us can agree that roaches are just one of the most despicable pests on the planet. A sight of a single cockroach, let alone a flying one, can make even a big guy scream. These pests have not only causing shrieks and goosebumps, but they also tend to affect our daily lives. Fearing that there might be roaches lurking in the dark, we refuse to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. You refuse to hang out on your patio on a cool night as you imagine roaches may crawl on your legs. Roaches. They creep us out, don’t they?
Does rubbing alcohol kill roaches?
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So how do we deal with these disgusting insects? Does rubbing alcohol kill roaches? Yes and no. Squirting a large amount of rubbing alcohol can kill a cockroach or two. Cockroaches breathe through holes located on the sides of their body called spiracles. So when you spray them with alcohol, assuming that you have cornered them and have nowhere to go, the liquid will fill up these holes, suffocating them, hence their death.
However, using rubbing alcohol to kill roaches can be pretty tricky. Aside from the fact that they are really fast, they can make good use of their wings and fly. Relying on rubbing alcohol, especially when you’re dealing with an infestation, will not give you the long-term effects that you’re looking for.
Are Roaches Attracted to Rubbing Alcohol?
Roaches certainly are not attracted to rubbing alcohol, and it won’t repel them either. However, they are known to be attracted to alcoholic beverages such as beer, mostly because of their sugary content.
Knowing that sugar attracts cockroaches, human food is also the apple of their eye. Leaving food crumbs on the floor or an opened cookie box all night is simply inviting a community of cockroaches to a party. So, yes, a messy house attracts cockroaches.
What else attracts cockroaches? Dirty dishes in the sink are one of their favorites. If you’re not keen on the idea of roaches greeting you in the morning, better clean up the sink and kitchen counters before you hit the bed. It also might help that your trash bins are properly covered as they also feed on your leftover food. Moreover, if you have pets at home, don’t let any pet food sit all night in your pet bowls.
You might also be wondering why you keep seeing a roach or two lurking at your tiny bathroom at night. Your bathroom is not a place for human food anyway, right? Roaches are also attracted to humid and wet environments. That’s why they like to hang in your wet towels, in your drain, under the sink, and possibly in the cupboards.
How Does Rubbing Alcohol Affect Roaches?
If you’re only dealing with one cockroach at the moment, and rubbing alcohol is the only thing you can reach, then squirt with all your might. Rubbing alcohol affect roaches by filling up their breathing holes called spiracles. Basically, you’re drowning them. Therefore, a single spray won’t be enough, especially when your target is restless.
When faced with an intrusion of cockroach, rubbing alcohol might just not be the best weapon you can use. It doesn’t kill roaches instantly, and chances are they’ll be provoked with this attack, and we’ll just leave everything to your imagination.
How to Use Rubbing Alcohol to Kill Roaches?
Rubbing alcohol comes in different packaging, but they usually come with a small opening or a sprayer. Whichever, if you want to kill a cockroach by using rubbing alcohol effectively, make sure you’re spraying or squirting at a close range. Unless you hit them directly and with a generous amount of rubbing alcohol, it might just walk away fully alive.
If you are resorting to this method, make sure to take precautions. Rubbing alcohol is flammable and can be dangerous if you sprayed on the wrong object.
Also Read: How To Get Rid Of Cockroaches In Drains Naturally?
Other Natural Methods to Kill Roaches
The most popular home remedy to kill roaches is the boric acid bait. If you are dealing with an infestation and you want long-term effects, this might be an ideal solution for you. Putting sprinkles of boric acid on areas where cockroaches typically go can help you eliminate cockroaches. As the powder clings to their bodies, this will kill the roaches eventually. Bonus points if they bring bits of powder to their community.
However, it would be more deadly if they digest the powder directly. But how will you make cockroaches eat them? It’s simple. Mix the boric acid with sugar and flour to make a dough. Roll them into the balls and then place them in potential areas where cockroaches like to hide. As what have been noted earlier, cockroaches are attracted to sugar. Therefore, the roaches will eat the ball along with the boric acid. When they’re full and have gone home, they die in their nest, and other roaches will feed on them. As surprising as it may sound, yes, roaches will feed on dead roaches. So simply put, you’ve given poison to a roach, it brings the poison home, and when it dies, it dies with its family.
The downside of this bait is you cannot use it when you have pets or kids at home. But fret not, as there are other ways to kill roaches that will keep your kids and pets safe. One way is instead of using boric acid, and you can mix sugar with baking soda. Same way, the roaches will be attracted to sugar, but as they eat the sugar, they also eat the baking soda. Baking soda is not good for their digestive system, which in turn kills the cockroach in time.
Moreover, you can also repel cockroaches by spraying peppermint oil. Cockroaches don’t like the smell of peppermint, and this is one of the safest ways to repel cockroaches. Spray under the fridge, under the sink, in the cupboard, in the cracks, or other potential places for cockroaches to hide.
More importantly, a tidy home is the best remedy to repel cockroaches. Clutter attracts any pests. So if you want to lessen cockroach sightings, it helps when you keep your house spick and span. If they don’t have any food to eat or any place to hide, your place will not be so much an attraction for them.
