Last Updated on October 9, 2022 by theworldofsleepstaff
For some of us, getting an uninterrupted night’s rest is the only thought on our minds after a long, stressful day.
But sometimes, this goal seems unattainable. Not because you have insomnia or have a sleep partner who disturbs you with their snoring. But instead because of some annoying insects – specifically cockroaches – that keep scurrying up and down your room!
Some of them even go as far as flying and landing on your body, rudely jolting you awake from your sleep and making you too scared or annoyed to go back to sleep.
If you’ve been experiencing all that, we suggest you read this detailed article that contains helpful and useful tips on dealing with those miscreants and preventing them from disturbing your sleep ever again!
So how do you keep cockroaches away at night? Read on to find out!
What are Cockroaches & Why do they Come Out at Night?
Cockroaches are one of the most common insects in human-based habitats or environments.
They have been around for centuries and are often regarded as dirty pests. They feed on almost anything and, by so doing, are capable of transmitting diseases.
These insects are also one of the most resilient animals in the world, and you can find them almost anywhere. Of course, it also doesn’t help that they can live for up to one month without food, so even if you think you don’t have any in your house, they might just be hiding out in a little corner.
Why Do You See Cockroaches More At Night?
Cockroaches are nocturnal animals, so you’ll probably see more of them at night. They aren’t exactly a fan of sunlight, so even when you see them during the day, they tend to stick to dark, cool areas of the house.
Most of them usually have a series of places they hide during the day. It could be under your sink in the bathroom or kitchen, under your stove, microwave, or even inside cracked walls.
You can also easily find them assembled in a dirty area or spot in the house.
Another reason you probably see cockroaches come out, especially at night, is because they are social animals; they have a hierarchical caste and usually make decisions collectively. So, if 1 or 2 of them move out to start their escapades for the day or night in this case, others would likely follow suit too. As a result, their most active time is usually some hours before midnight.
Their enhanced night vision is another reason cockroaches prefer to show their presence mostly at night. There have been some unverified claims that the sensitivity of their eyes to sunlight makes them averse to sunlight, so they choose to come out at night instead.
The last, and the most important reason, why cockroaches are more prevalent at night is because of their circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm regulates the sleeping and active state of a particular organism.
The circadian rhythm in humans is wired to make us active during the day, while that of nocturnal animals like cockroaches is designed to do the opposite.
Due to how fast cockroaches reproduce, if you see one of them, there is an extremely high chance that there are many more around your house.
So now that you know why you see roaches more at night and why they are more prone to disturb your night’s rest, here are some helpful tips to show you how to keep cockroaches away at night.
How to Keep Cockroaches Away at Night: siX eASY tIPS
1. Ensure You Do The Dishes & Get Rid Of Food Crumbs
One of the primary things that attract roaches is food. That is why you’ll find many of them in your kitchen or pantry.
To ensure that you don’t get some unwanted visitors crawling over you as you sleep, you should ensure that you do away with all the dishes after dinner and clean away all food crumbs.
When there is no food source or crumb trail for them to smell or eat, that’s one less reason for them to visit you.
2. Don’t Eat In Bed
If you’re the type to eat in bed, it will be best to break that habit and have your snacks or meals in a place like a kitchen or sitting room where you can easily clear them off.
Or better still, ensure you clean your room thoroughly after your meal.
3. Ensure All Faucets Or Water Sources Are Turned Off
Although roaches can survive some weeks without eating or drinking, the truth is they’d rather not subject themselves to that.
Just like all living organisms, roaches need water to survive and can go almost any length to get it.
If every other part of the house is dry and the ensuite bathroom in your room has faucets that aren’t tightly closed and are dripping water, they will go there in search for water – which puts you at a higher risk of being disturbed by them.
4. Spray Your Room With A Citrus Acid Solution
Citrus acid is often used to prepare cockroach sprays or repellents because roaches hate the smell!
One way to ensure you don’t get a roach disturbance at night is by spraying a solution of citrus acid in some parts of your room. Especially in the dark enclaves.
This method is recommended because not only will you deter cockroaches from entering your room, but the calming and soothing fragrance from the solution will lull you into a deeper and more restorative sleep.
4. Place Down Traps At Night
Traps are one of the most effective and easiest ways of getting rid of cockroaches. Not to mention that they also work fast.
Before placing the traps, you might need to do a bit of surveillance to determine which spot would be the best to place them.
You should place down the traps in high-traffic areas where you notice the most movement.
Placing the sticky traps before bed will help trap the roaches and prevent them from disturbing your sleep.
5. Get Rid Of Paper Bags
Paper bags are a common household material. We get them from virtually everywhere; grocery shopping from the mall, orders from McDonald’s, deliveries, and so on.
However, what many people do not know is that the glue that holds the paper together is like a baby cradle to cockroaches! Not only that, the glue provides a home for their eggs – leading to more infestation – while the paper serves as a sort of shelter for the parent roaches. Paper bags are basically the perfect condos for them!
Getting rid of paper bags in your house will help you reduce the chances of the roaches having a place to stay. What’s more? You won’t have to deal with the rustling noise they make from the paper.
6. Don’t Keep A Pile Of Dirty Clothes In Your Room
Anything dirty attracts roaches, and this includes a pile of dirty clothes.
A pile of dirty clothes, especially one in a dirty corner, is a sure way to extend an invitation to roaches into your room and house.
So, if there’s a pile of dirty clothes in the corner, it would be in your best interest to get rid of them.
Now that you know some of the ways to prevent roaches from disturbing your sleep, we’ll discuss some effective home remedies you can use to get rid of them.
Home Remedies to Get Rid of Cockroaches
1. Baking Soda
Yes, I’m sure you probably know that you can use baking soda to remove tough stains and perform a wide range of household activities. But that whitish powder is also very effective in getting rid of roaches.
To use baking powder, it would be best to combine it with something that they might be attracted to. Maybe leftovers and so on. A mixture of sugar and baking soda works particularly well.
Coat the meal with baking soda, then place that in high-traffic areas.
2. Boric Acid (But Be Careful)
Looking for a fast and extremely effective way to get rid of roaches? Boric acid is your guy.
Boric acid is extremely toxic to roaches, and just small contact with it kills them. However, there is a downside to it.
Boric acid can prove fatal for children and pets. So, if you know you have those in your house, you are recommended not to use this option.
3. Bay Leaves
Yup. You read that right. That cooking spice that gives your meal some mouthwatering aroma can make the roaches in your house regret ever stepping their scrawny legs inside your home.
There are two major ways in which you can use bay leaves to get rid of cockroaches. The first is to boil the leaves for some minutes until the chemicals, and the smell has permeated into the boiling water. You can then allow the water to cool before spraying it on the floor, crevices, cracks, or any other location they might reside in.
Additionally, you can dry the leaves, crush them into tiny pieces, and sprinkle them in the affected locations.
4. Mint Spray
Mint sprays aren’t exactly most people’s choice of air freshener, but they can perform wonders in a house suffering from roaches infestation.
Roaches hate mint because of the somewhat peppery smell and sensation they evoke – this is why most insecticides have an underlying smell of mint.
If you have a couple of mints you’re willing to sacrifice. You can put them inside a bowl of water to make a solution you can spray in the affected areas. You can also use a few drops of mint extract to make the solution.
5. Diatomaceous Earth
This is a tested and tried method of bidding farewell to cockroaches – that is, if you don’t mind a bit of dirt in your home.
Diatomaceous earth is abrasive and rough – exactly what the exoskeletons of cockroaches don’t need.
When you pour some in the affected area, it’ll affect their exoskeletons and erode them, leaving them without protection, and in a short amount of time, they’ll die.
6. Listerine
Many of us have mouthwashes that contain listerine, and we don’t exactly keep them in our mouths for long because of the burning sensation they give us. So you can imagine how much more they would be intolerable to roaches.
Mixing some drops of listerine with water and spraying them in the area where you notice the roaches the most is a sure way to get rid of them. To make the solution more effective, add some drops of dishwashing liquid.
7. Borax
Borax is also another great and easy way to get rid of cockroaches.
You can get a container or packet of it from almost any store. Mix it with a bit of sugar or other food items, then place it where the roaches will find it.
How to Keep Roaches Away from Your House Forever
It’s not enough to just get rid of cockroaches; it is also important that you ensure that they never come back. Listed below are some ways you do that.
1. Dispose Of Garbage Often
Dirtiness attracts roaches and provides a breeding space for them.
2. Don’t Leave Dirty Plates Lying Around
You’ll be feeding them and encouraging their infestation by leaving dirty plates around.
3. Get Rid Of Cardboard, Paper Bags, Newspapers
These are the perfect breeding spaces for roaches.
4. Clear Out & Rearrange Your Furniture Regularly
This will help you easily discover any nest they might have built over time and also prevent them from building new ones.
5. Fix Water Leaks & Plumbing Issues
This is to deny them access to water.
6. Clear Bushes & Ensure Your Garden Is Well-Tended
Cover up cracks, crevices, or holes where they can hide, including window or door cracks. You should also consider screens for your windows and doors.
7. Avoid Piling Up Dirty Clothes & Declutter
Declutter regularly: Get rid of old stuff you’re not using again to reduce hiding spots.
Generally ensure your home is clean, especially if you have children or pets.
How To Keep Cockroaches Away At Night: Our Final Thoughts
Cockroaches are not only annoying; they are a potential harbinger of illnesses and diseases. It also doesn’t help that they multiply at such a fast rate.
Fortunately, they are not impossible to get rid of. Follow the detailed steps above, and you will find yourself bidding farewell to them sooner than later.