Like rodents, cockroaches can also enter the home via cracks or can break into the septic system. If an exterminator comes out, you may find dead cockroaches all over the floor, which is a potential sign of a broken septic system.
You can also use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar, followed by flushing with boiling water. If you see roaches in your drain, it probably means you've got a plumbing problem somewhere.
So as it turns out, using bleach to keep your drains roach-free is a bad idea. If you notice a few roaches in your pipes, it is best to consult a professional in case you are dealing with a full-blown infestation.
Cockroaches live in the sewer system, so they can travel into homes or business facilities from there through the building's drains and plumbing system. Roaches look for moisture, warmer temperatures, and food. Unfortunately for us, the drains in our homes provide them all three.
The best way to get rid of sewer roaches naturally is by using Borax and sugar. This will act as bait and attract roaches as they love sugar, and Borax is toxic to them. Mix equal parts of borax and sugar in a shallow bowl. Place the bowl near an area where you have seen roaches.
Cockroach cannot live longer than a week without water. If you spot a dead cockroach during cleaning, they probably died from thirst. Deny any water sources i.e. fix a leaking tap. Don't try flushing a cockroach into a toilet bowl.
Cockroaches are attracted to the moisture in sewers or septic tanks, which is why they may be present near drainage pipes or sewer drains inside your home. They can also find their way into basements or crawlspaces through cracks in foundation walls and other openings that lead outside.
Some strong scents, such as lavender and mint, have been known to repel cockroaches.
Regardless of their colloquial name, they are simply the common American cockroach. They're generally referred to as “sewer roaches” for a very simple, straightforward, and apparent reason: they live in sewer systems! These roaches thrive on the warmth and moisture in your drains which makes the perfect place to nest.
Improper sanitation, presence of food and water sources, and favorable living conditions are common causes of roach infestations. Maintaining a clean and hygienic environment, storing food in tightly sealed containers, and promptly cleaning up spills or crumbs can help prevent roach infestations.
By nature, cockroaches are nocturnal, meaning they're most active at night. This is partly because it helps them avoid predators, but it also provides them with a sense of safety as they search for food and water sources undetected by occupants of the structure.
If you use the Pine-Sol method, you can either spray roaches or clean the surfaces in your house or kitchen with it. But you don't want to wipe the surface completely clean and dry. Leaving a slight damp residue of Pine-Sol on the counter will deter them, as they will avoid the area.
The conditions in a kitchen drain are conducive to cockroaches: damp, dark, cool, with easy access to bits of food and water. Discourage roaches from hanging out in this area, and coming further into your home, by pouring boiling water down the drain often. This kills any insects, as well as eggs, that may be hiding.
The other most notable place where roaches are able to enter would be through the bottom of a toilet. Toilets generally seal to the sewage pipe in the floor through a wax ring. The toilet is pressed on to this wax ring which creates a seal.
Ethanol Directly Kills Cockroaches
While white vinegar won't kill those pesky insects, ethanol—also known as common alcohol—will kill cockroaches. Cockroaches are particularly sensitive to ethanol and a direct hit from it will take them down.
It's hard to catch them and kill them. Even if you do catch them, you hate to step on them because they are so big. Answer: They generally prefer to live outdoors but can invade into basements or other damp, dark areas. They may be found in bathtubs and in kitchen sinks, and even can crawl in through sewer drain pipes.
June bugs, also known as May beetles, can sometimes be confused for cockroaches as well. These beetles are dark brown, rust-colored, or black, and have a hard outer shell. June bugs are similar in size to roaches (about ½ to 1 inch long) and have a similar oval shape.
Rinse your kitchen drain with an approved kitchen sink cleaner to remove food particles that attract roaches in the drain. Keep counters and appliances clean. Don't leave food on the counters or in the kitchen sink, especially overnight. Install a waterless drain seal.
Cockroaches are blessed with an amazing sense of smell. This is what they use when seeking food and mate but at the same time, this is also their weakness. A cockroach's sense of smell can be used to get rid of them.
Leaving the light on doesn't deter cockroaches effectively because they can navigate in low-light conditions. While they're mostly active at night, they may still come out in search of food or water. During the day, cockroaches hide in dark areas not directly exposed to light.
DIY spray: Spray the solution in areas prone to cockroach infestation, such as kitchen cabinets, under sinks and around appliances. Apply every few days for the best results.
Sewer flies breed in drains, septic tanks, sewers and soil that has been contaminated with sewage. After a female moth or sewer fly lays her eggs in a moist, nutrient-rich environment. Sewer fly larvae are surprisingly resilient and have been known to survive dramatic shifts in temperature.
Mix a pinch of sugar with some baking soda in a bowl and leave it for the cockroaches. Attracted to the food source (the sugar), the roaches will ingest the poison (the baking soda) and die.