Guide to rid home of American Roaches (and other pests) for Cheap
Our take
As summer approaches in Hawaii, many residents find themselves facing the inevitable invasion of American roaches and centipedes. For those of us living in close proximity to nature, such as in homes nestled against the mountains, this is an all-too-familiar part of island life. The recent guide on how to combat these pests without incurring the hefty costs of professional exterminators offers a practical solution, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a clean home while arming ourselves with readily available products. This conversation is particularly relevant for those who appreciate the beauty of our islands and want to enjoy them without the discomfort of unwanted guests.
In a culture that values the harmonious coexistence with nature, managing pests can feel daunting. However, the guide provides a realistic approach to pest control that resonates with the adventurous spirit of our community. By utilizing products like Ortho Home Defense and Advion Gel Bait, residents can create effective barriers while taking proactive steps to eliminate roach colonies. This method aligns with the Hawaiian ethos of sustainability and self-reliance, allowing individuals to take charge of their living spaces without resorting to harsh chemicals or costly services. The emphasis on cleanliness as a primary deterrent is a reminder that the best defense against pests lies within our own habits and lifestyle choices.
Moreover, the guide highlights unexpected allies in this battle. The presence of house lizards and daddy long legs, often overlooked, serves as a natural pest control system, reminding us of the delicate balance of nature in our homes. This relationship underscores the importance of respecting our environment while also asserting our needs as homeowners. Understanding the role of these creatures not only fosters a sense of community but also enriches our appreciation for the intricate ecosystems that exist around us. As we strive to maintain our homes, we must also acknowledge and protect those entities that contribute to our well-being.
While pests are an unfortunate reality, they also provoke a broader conversation about living in harmony with our surroundings. The guide serves as a practical resource, yet it also invites us to reflect on our responsibilities as stewards of the environment. Maintaining cleanliness and employing natural deterrents can lead to a more harmonious existence, one where we respect the boundaries of nature while safeguarding our homes. This balance is echoed in other aspects of life in Hawaii, as seen in articles like How to Avoid a Bad Waikiki Vacation and The Broken Trust: New report on the True Cost of the U.S. Military in Hawaiʻi, which explore our interconnectedness with the land and the challenges that arise from modern living.
As we navigate the complexities of pest control, we must ask ourselves: how can we better align our lifestyles with the natural world around us? The upcoming summer season is a ripe opportunity to engage with our environment, not just in the context of pest management, but in fostering a deeper appreciation for the beauty and challenges of island life. By adopting a proactive approach and remaining respectful of our surroundings, we can create spaces that reflect both our adventurous spirit and our commitment to community and sustainability.
Ok, so I've lived in Hawaii for several years now and I love it out here! But... because I live in a house connected to the mountain I get infestations of Giant Roaches and giant Centepieds. And since summer is coming, and the roaches will be out in force, I wanted to share with you all how to treat your home to ensure you see as little to no roaches without having to pay for an exterminator (this will cost you around $50-$80 instead of $300+) and you can reapply yourself.
1.) Ortho Home Defense: This is a great, safe product for both you, your children, and your animals that you can use as a Barrier to deter roaches from coming inside your house. All you do is apply it around entry points such as windows, doors, cracks ECT. This is a deterrent to keep them away. Think of it like a barrier. You need this barrier to keep the roaches from wanting to enter your house, but if they enter your house, you need to have something ready for them.
Amazon Price: $20.06
2.) Advion Gel Bait: It's not only about killing a single roach, or keeping them out, it's about killing the colony to ensure they don't come back (at least for the season). The Gel Bait will attract the giant roaches and it will cause them to bring the bait back to their colonies where it'll kill the colony of roaches. This is probably the most IMPORTANT thing you can do. No colony. No roaches. All you do it place the bait where food is accessible (beneath stove, refrigerator, bathroom, even bedrooms if you eat there). Make sure you spread it out to ensure you won't have to deal with them.
Amazon Price: $26.50
3.) HoyHoy Roach Traps: These are especially good if your house is clean. If you have crumbs on the floor or food sitting out roaches do not have a reason to go investigate the traps. These traps are for last resort effort placed in areas where roaches use for cover (under entertainment center, beneath the fridge, behind the stove). This is more about finding the pathway of roaches and causing them to get trapped on their way scavenging.
Amazon Price: $12.15
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Now having all these things will help ensure you can avoid or only have the occasional roach all season but if your house is unclean (crumbs and food left out) you're still going to experience roaches no matter what you do. The best deterrent is to keep your house CLEAN. They are searching for food.
This also goes for Centepieds...
They are carnivores therefore they are looking for bugs to eat. I was trying to figure out why so many Centepieds kept coming into my house and it's because of the live/dead roaches inside my house. That's why the HoyHoy traps need to be trashed regularly or it will attract giant Centepieds into your home.
If you deter roaches from coming into your home it will keep them out but if you don't clean up their corpses or leave traps around with many dead roaches in them they'll surely be attracted to your home which is more nightmarish than the flying roaches IMO.
If you do find a Centepied in your house you can use scissors to cut them in half or a jar to cover them and put the lid on to have them suffocate. Just be careful because they're fast and they will bite (and it's not a pleasant experience).
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There are three allies you have in your home against bugs and that's the house lizards and the daddy long legs (spider) that come into your home. Neither are a threat to your home. They are infact an ally and will keep your house clean of bugs (especially flying ones like termites, flies, moths) ECT. I recommend not killing them on purpose (although the Home Defense may kill the spiders) they're your best friends against the war against roaches and Centepieds. The last are roosters or chickens. If they're in your yard let them be. They're extremely good defense against Centepieds and Roaches because they will eat them without you having to worry about it (but these are outside defenders).
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Due to some weather you may get rats. I experienced a family of rats in my house in my kitchen during the floods and they too were eating the bugs off of HoyHoy traps because they too are carnivores. The best thing for rats is NOT poison bait but rat traps. Why? Because poison traps will have them die in your walls or behind your fridge. This makes your house smell awful and will only attract more bugs into your home. Instead use TomCat traps (preferably the reusable ones) but make sure the traps are anchored down or the rats even in the traps may run off and die in hiding.
Amazon Price: $8.48
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Lastly, (and last resort), if you see an American Roach in the house do not attack it on walls or high ceilings. This is where you'll get the B-52 bomber terror that haunts every person who has had to deal with it. You have to understand that they have the upper hand with flight. But they're also body heavy so they can only fly for so long and it's only for a short period of time (usually towards you cause they want to land on something close). Some people say its a frantic flee but I'll tell you the truth... It's to scare the living life out of you! American roaches have no fear! They will come at you without any disregard for their safety. And they bite! You don't want to get bitten by these things not because the bite is the worst thing ever but because they get into trash, and they're dirty, therefore it can cause serious infections that need medical attention.
Avoid this at all cost...
In these situations, I approach this in two ways: 1.) Attack on my level and 2.) Avoid them because I know my house is clean and well trapped.
Every Hawaiian Ive ever met has told me the best way to handle roaches in this situation and that is to "hit em with the Slippa" which in my opinion has been 80% good, 20% a nightmare. And it's because if you miss they will come oat you both on the wall or on the ground. They're not afraid of you!
I personally use 2. much more than 1. unless they're in my bedroom.
If they're in my bedroom I usually grab a broom to swipe them down then hit them on ground level because usually on the ground they are just trying to flee from you but they'll still come at you on the ground from my experience. But it's better to avoid them altogether because they don't want confrontation with you.
But if you do see them always approach slowly and from behind them. Never face them because they are not stupid and will either flee or charge. I always come from behind and in my experience I have not had any of them fly at me because they're running away from me unsure of what is after them.
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Lastly, understand that this is your home. They're unwelcomed guest, but they do want to come in (not to bother you but to find food for their colonies). Understand that they're only trying to survive as you are but that doesn't mean we have to accept it. Keep your house clean, guarded, well baited and trapped, and I promise you you'll sleep much easier during the peak seasons because you know you've taken the precautions needed to get rid of them.
But if those precautions don't work know you have alternatives:
1.) Slippa for Roaches
2.) Jars and scissors for Centepieds
3.) Traps for Rats
As a LAST resort!
My hope for you is that you won't have to experience any of these things but things happen...
This is a beautiful place to live and stay, but know, like all places, there are things you need to do to adapt to the environment you are in. Respect your enemies, but also, show them no mercy 😎
Good luck!
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