Bleach is a powerful disinfectant and can kill roaches on contact, but it’s not an effective solution for an infestation. Roaches move fast and can hide in hard-to-reach places, making it difficult for bleach to get to them all. Also, bleach can pose a health risk to you and your pets. Read on to learn why and what you can do to send these pests packing.
Identifying Cockroaches
Roaches, or cockroaches, are resilient and adaptable bugs. These common household pests can carry diseases, trigger allergies, and worsen asthma, but early detection can prevent them from becoming a major problem. Correct identification is vital because there are other insects that look like roaches, such as long-horned beetles, crickets, and ground beetles.
There are several types of roaches common in the U.S. German cockroaches, often found in homes and buildings, are the most prevalent. The next most common are outside roaches like the American cockroach, the Oriental cockroach, and the brown-banded cockroach. Each type varies in size, color, and habitat preferences.
In general, roaches are identified by the following characteristics:
- Bodies: They have flat, oval bodies with small heads and large abdomens with long antennae. Some have wings, but many cannot fly.
- Size: Roaches can range in size from 1/2 inch up to almost 2 inches in length, depending on the species.
- Color: Roaches vary in color from reddish-brown or brown to black.
| Species | Color | Habitat |
| German cockroach | Two parallel black bands near the head; a tan or brown body | Warm, damp areas inside buildings |
| American cockroach | Reddish brown | Sewer drains, dumpsters, damp areas |
| Oriental cockroach | Dark brown to black | Dumpsters, sewers, garbage cans |
| Brown-banded cockroach | Two horizontal bands across the body | Warm, dry interiors |
How to Use Bleach for Roaches
Bleach is harmful to roaches like it is to any living organism. Its corrosive nature can damage their exoskeletons, and ingesting bleach or drowning in it can kill them quickly.
To kill a roach with bleach, you have to soak the sucker, and as quickly as they move, that’s hard to do. Roaches are one of the fastest insects in the world. They can move a distance of 50 times their body length in one second. Plus, bleach won’t kill any hidden roaches or their eggs.
Cons of Using Bleach to Kill Roaches
While bleach can kill roaches on contact, it isn’t an efficient way to eliminate a cockroach infestation. Plus, bleach can have hazardous health effects on people and pets.
✘ Damaging: Bleach is a harsh chemical that can damage surfaces and materials like fabric, metal, and wood.
✘ Toxic: Use bleach cautiously, especially in areas used by kids and pets, as the fumes from bleach can be harmful if inhaled. Also, bleach can cause irritation and burns if it comes in contact with skin and eyes.
✘ Ineffective: Bleach won’t affect the roaches it doesn’t come in contact with or their eggs, so while it’ll kill a few, bleach won’t get rid of the infestation.
However, there are ways to use bleach to help with a cockroach infestation.
Use Bleach as a Roach Deterrent
In general, roaches hate the smell of bleach or other strong chemical odors. So, regular cleaning with bleach can help deter roaches from infesting an area. Plus, it will disinfect where they’ve been. This is important, as cockroaches can spread various diseases and allergens. Roaches are often found in kitchen and bathroom areas since roaches are attracted to food and moisture.
Here’s how to safely clean and disinfect with bleach to help keep roaches at bay:
- Precautions: Ensure your space is well-ventilated before you start and wear protective clothing like gloves, goggles, and, if needed, a mask to avoid irritation.
- Mixture: Dilute the bleach in room temperature water. Never mix bleach with other cleaners or ammonia, as this can create a very toxic gas.
- Mopping floors: 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) of bleach per gallon.
- Spray: 4 teaspoons of bleach per quart (4 cups water) for a 32-ounce spray bottle.
- Application: Only apply the bleach solution to hard, non-porous surfaces with a cloth or sponge. Spray areas where roaches are commonly found, such as behind appliances or in dark corners. Be cautious not to spray areas where food is prepared or consumed.
Don’t apply bleach to aluminum, marble, tile, granite, unsealed wood, copper, brass, silver, and enamel that has chipped or cracked. If bleach gets on these surfaces, wash the area right away with water to avoid damaging the materials.
- Wait and rinse: Let the solution sit on the surface for 6 to 10 minutes, then thoroughly rinse with water.
- Dry: Floors can air dry, but other surfaces, like countertops, should be wiped down with a clean, dry towel.
- Leftover bleach solution: Store any leftover bleach solution in a sealed container out of reach of children and pets. Keep in mind that bleach mixed with water will lose effectiveness after 24 hours.
How to Kill Roaches in Drains
Cockroaches often live in bathroom and kitchen drains because of the easy access to food and water. While it’s tempting to kill them by pouring bleach into the drains, it isn’t recommended. In addition to potentially releasing harmful fumes, the bleach can damage your pipes.
Try the following to flush out the roaches living in your drains and eliminate food sources inside your pipes:
- Method 1: Place the stopper in the sink and fill it with water. Once full, pull the plug and allow it to drain to help clean the pipes.
- Method 2: Allow warm water to run for at least three minutes, then pour 3 to 4 cups of boiling water down the drain.
- Method 3: Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into the drain, followed by 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar. Cover the drain and wait 3 to 5 minutes, then pour several cups of boiling water into it. This will safely clean your pipes and flush out roaches.
How to Get Rid of Roaches
While bleach isn’t the most effective solution for getting rid of cockroaches, there are several ways to deal with these creepy crawlers. Home care, traps, baits, and DIY solutions are available to help you.
Here are some ways you can get rid of the roaches in your home:
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- Keep your home clean: Roaches are attracted to food residue, particularly grease. Regularly cleaning your home can help deter roaches.
- Properly store food: Avoid leaving out food, including pet food. Use sealable containers and clean up crumbs and residues after meals to avoid attracting roaches.
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- Repair water leaks: Roaches are attracted to moisture and damp places. Check for water leaks and fix them as soon as possible. This includes pipes, faucets, shower heads, and water heaters.
- Seal cracks and holes: Roaches can flatten their bodies to the size of a dime to squeeze through small gaps. Seal cracks in walls, floors, and ceilings, as well as gaps around windows and doors.
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- Use roach traps: These traps are a safe and effective way to monitor an infestation or catch new ones before they set up house. Roach traps lure roaches into them, where they get stuck and eventually die.
- Apply roach bait: There are several roach baits on the market. These baits contain poison that roaches carry back to their nests, killing the other roaches in the process.
- Mix borax and sugar: A homemade roach remedy is to mix equal parts borax with sugar. The sugar lures them, and the borax will kill roaches. Spread it where roaches roam, but use caution around pets and kids, as borax is harmful if swallowed.
- Sprinkle baking soda: A cheap, DIY method is baking soda. Baking soda kills roaches by building up gas in their digestive system. Plus, baking soda is safe to use around pets and children as it’s only harmful if ingested in large amounts.
- Hire a professional: For severe infestations, consider trained professionals equipped to eliminate roaches effectively. The average cost for roach exterminators ranges from $115 to $350, depending on the size of your home and the extent of the infestation.
FAQ: Cockroaches
What Attracts Cockroaches?
Roaches enter your home in search of food, water, and shelter. Sealing possible entry points and water leaks can help prevent roaches. Also, maintaining a clean home and storing food in sealed containers is essential to prevent a roach infestation. Additionally, if your neighbors have cockroaches, they’ll likely try to enter your home, as well.
What Are Signs of a Roach Infestation?
Outside of finding the roaches themselves, some other signs of their presence include roach droppings, egg cases, and shed skins. Also, check for hard-to-clean smears, new allergy symptoms, or a musty, oily smell.
Can Roaches Bite People?
Technically, yes, roaches can bite people; however, it’s extremely rare. Roaches are more likely to run away and will eat other cockroaches before they take a bite out of humans.
When to Call a Pro
Cockroaches can be hard to get rid of, and bleach is not an effective solution. If you’re unable to eliminate roaches on your own, it may be time to call in the pros. A professional pest control service has the tools and knowledge to exterminate roaches effectively and can help you prevent future infestations.
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Cockroach: luckpics / Canva Pro / License
