In this guide we will learn how to get rid of cockroaches in the bathroom following simple DIY measures.
We hate having roach guests; they are a definition of “embarrassment,” especially when your human guests sight them in your bathroom.
Getting rid of cockroaches would depend mainly on the bathroom walls, though. If the wall design uses cavities, it’s inviting roaches; they love it.
And although you can remove roaches without the pros, first you need to understand what cockroaches hate and use it to your advantage.
Why do I keep finding cockroaches in my bathroom?
Cockroaches nest commonly in bathrooms and other places in the house with humid conditions and warmth. A typical roach is a big fan of moisture, and your bathroom is the ideal moist environment for it. Cockroaches will nest in your bathroom while accessing food in other rooms, especially your kitchen. You can expect them to march germs from the toilet into your kitchen or food store.
Untidiness and food crumbs are not necessarily the reason you find cockroaches in your bathroom. Regardless of the high hygiene level in your home, roach would still wander their way into your room, most of the time, through cracks or leaky pipes.
Meanwhile, if you see a large or small dark cockroach in your kitchen, you can expect a less severe mess in your bathroom. A typical roach is flat, and its skeleton is flexible, so they squeeze seamlessly through tight gaps. Most roaches nest outdoors but would wobble in searching for food. A smelly wastebin is their green light, especially if placed near walls closest to your bathroom.
If you sight a small and tan-colored cockroach in your bathroom, be very worried. The chance is that it is a German roach, and it loves it indoors. So, it’s never going to think about exiting your household’s bathroom, especially with a messy attractive kitchen nearby. Additionally, if the small tan roach you sight is lighter than black or dark brown, you may have an infestation.
Moreover, a bathroom exposed to outdoor lights reportedly distracts roaches. The simple reason is that roaches are enemies of light; they prefer to dwell in darkness, and as such, we refer to them as nocturnal.
Best Ways to Get Rid of Cockroaches in Your Bathroom
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Seal Bathroom Cracks
The first step is to identify and seal all cracks leading to your bathroom. If a roach detective is going to investigate your bathroom, you will get the same recommendation, “seal your cracks”. This is because those are common places that cockroaches come from in the bathroom.
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Gear Up
Roaches are dangerous insects to handle, so you want to gear up before the ridding adventure. This insect is a known bacteria carrier and not just a home scavenger. Maybe we have clean insects, but since the collection of roaches in your bathroom are not pets, the conclusion is that they are infectious.
Since you’re practicing a simple DIY step to get rid of cockroaches in the bathroom, you need long sleeves and pants, especially if you’re allergic. You also need rubber boots, chemical-resistant gloves, protective eyewear (face shield, goggles, etc.), and unlined liquid-proof. A wide-brimmed hat wouldn’t be a bad idea.
If you’re going to handle chemicals other than a disinfectant, consult the product manufacturer for PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) recommendation.
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Prepare Disinfectant
The first option for removing roaches from the bathroom permanently is using a disinfectant. Below are disinfectant collections to consider:
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Catnip
Catnip may not kill roaches but will discourage them from lodging in the bathroom. It has a strong smell that irritates humans, so you’d have to be careful if you are asthmatic. When your catnip is ready, place them near the cracks and other suspicious roach entry areas.
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Peppermint oil
Make a simple DIY mixture of water and peppermint oil. Get a refillable multipurpose hose sprayer bottle, pour the solution inside and spray it into holes and cracks in the bathroom where roaches nest.
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Bleach
If you are using bleach, apply it when nobody would be pouring water inside the drainages for at least 2 hours. Pour bleach inside the holes and other parts of the bathroom to get rid of cockroaches.
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Borax
Borax chemical is a boron derivative that can eliminate cockroaches when you apply it correctly. For effectiveness, ensure to add a thin layer of boric acid powder. Note that when you add it excessively, roaches will sense and avoid it. The intelligent breeds will relocate their nest to a different part of your bathroom.
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Apply Roach Gel
Cockroach gel can be quite effective when applied in strategic places. For the gel to be effective, roaches must eat them, and they will because they find the gel quite attractive. The gel exterminates a roach from inside, though.
After the gel eliminates cockroaches, you would need insecticide the treat the areas that roaches have soiled. You will also apply disinfectants across the bathroom to kill germs.
The final thing you want to do is covering the holes, but make sure to spot and remove dead roaches before filling cracks. Roach eggs are likely in the cracks, too. Please get rid of them using disinfectant gloves.
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Keep Your Bathroom Dry
It is imperative to keep your bathroom dry at all times after eliminating roaches. If there are areas in your bathroom that encourage stagnant water, make sure to contact a professional for a fix.
As long as the bathroom stays dry, it won’t attract cockroaches for some other time. Though they might find their way inside, they would not find it comfortable to nest in your dry and boring bathroom.
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Use Roach Traps
If you not be irritated, use roach traps. Makes sure to set the traps around areas that you sighted or suspect roach nest. When you spot the nest(s), be careful to inspect it thoroughly because there could be an infestation. For every nest you locate in your bathroom, there could be many cockroaches lurking around, especially if the roach is small and light brown.
This roach trap is perfect because it attracts the cockroaches and glue them, instead of squashing and messing up the bathroom. After you shower at night, dry up the bathroom and gently place this roach trap behind the bathroom door.
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Contact a Professional Exterminator
If roaches return after you follow the steps above to get rid of them in your bathroom, you may need the services of a professional exterminator or pest control.
A professional can remove roaches from your bathroom, making it easy to manage and maintain. But understand that roaches do not nest or avoid your bathroom because of how clean it appears.
The contractor must exterminate the roaches from the outside perimeter to keep subsequent roaches from gaining access. Some roaches may attack from neighbors’ basements, though.
You can shop around for exterminators with the best quotes. Compare and select a service provider with flexible plans suitable for your home size. Of course, you can’t pay more than the worth of your home to get rid of roaches from the bathroom.
Final Thoughts
You can’t resolve roach problems in your bathroom amicably. Take the fight to them as indicated in this article, and keep your effort intense.
Your target is to remove their food supply and comfort zone. In your bathroom, the typical comfort zone is moisture. Seal the cracks after exterminating them to keep the scavengers outside.
To enjoy a better roach elimination smackdown, inform a reliable pest control service for excellent pest solutions. DIY is good, but professional exterminators are better.
Finally, “yes,” roaches are quite easy to get rid of in your bathroom. However, the reality is that you can’t keep roaches out forever.
