You want effective home remedies for cockroaches in fridge and in other areas where food is prepared, consumed, or stored, including the dining table, pantry, and kitchen. Cockroaches are omnivorous—they consume both plants and meat. Not only do they go after food but they also spread bacteria through cross-contamination. This means that they acquire bacteria while feeding and then carry the same bacteria in their digestive systems. Roaches also leave behind their waste products on your fridge supplies, which threatens your well-being.
You can put an end to the nuisance by exterminating them, even though this can be challenging. However, with certain home remedies, roaches should vacate your fridge.
Home remedies for cockroaches in fridge
Just remember to remove all food items from the refrigerator before attempting any of these home remedies for cockroaches in fridge:
1. Baking soda and sugar
Baking soda is a common cleaning ingredient in households, and you probably have one around. Its acidic nature makes it highly effective in killing and eliminating insects and bugs in your fridge.
To expel cockroaches in the fridge using baking soda and sugar, mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of white sugar in a bowl. Sprinkle the mixture in areas of your fridge infested by cockroaches.
Make sure to do a follow-up check until all the cockroaches have been eliminated from your refrigerator.
2. Boric acid
When using boric acid near your food, be cautious because it is an inorganic insecticide rather than an organic home remedy. Make sure to keep your children and pet away from the refrigerator area where you apply boric acid. Boric acid kills cockroaches after they eat it by disrupting their stomach and can affect their nervous system. It can also scratch and damage the exterior of the cockroach.
Boric acid is low in toxicity if eaten or if it contacts the skin. However, in the form of borax, it can be corrosive to the eye and irritating to the skin.¹ if you accidentally eat boric acid, you might experience nausea, vomiting, stomach aches, and diarrhea.
Application steps
- Apply a thin layer of boric acid in the corners of the refrigerator where cockroaches are hiding.
- Alternatively, you can create a solution by combining 1 tablespoon of boric powder, 1 tablespoon of milk, and ½ tablespoon of wheat flour in a bowl.
- Mix the ingredients and pour 1-2 tablespoons of this solution into areas around your fridge where you suspect nesting cockroaches.
Remember to repeat this process every 2-3 months to permanently expel roaches.
3. Catnip spray
Catnip, scientifically known as Nepeta cataria, is an herb with properties that can irritate cockroaches. “Cockroaches are repelled by catnip – specifically, two forms of the chemical called nepetalactone, found in the catnip plant,” reported Joel Coats, Ph.D.²
Cockroaches, in particular, are highly sensitive to this chemical. If you have a cat at home, keep her away when using this home remedy for cockroaches in fridge.
Steps to use catnip to expel cockroaches from your fridge:
- Get catnip leaves from a nursery or garden store. Once you obtain them, boil approximately 8-10 leaves in 2 cups of water.
- Cover the pot with a lid and allow the mixture to boil for an additional 5-7 minutes.
- Allow the solution to cool down, and once it has reached a suitable temperature, transfer it to a spray bottle for storage.
- Spray the catnip home remedy around your refrigerator infested with cockroaches.
4. Peppermint oil spray
Peppermint oil is a potent repellent (traditionally a home remedy for treating mosquito bites) against cockroaches. Moreover, peppermint contains menthone (which is a compound similar to menthol) which makes it a potential roach killer. It efficiently deters them from your fridge, beneath and around the compressor area without causing damage. It is also an ideal roach remedy for use inside a fridge.
Follow these simple steps to use peppermint as one of your home remedies for cockroaches in fridge:
- Prepare a solution by filling a spray bottle halfway with water and adding 20-25 drops of peppermint oil.
- Spray peppermint solution in all the corners of your fridge where you suspect the presence of cockroaches.
5. Bay leaves pulverized into powder
Bay leaves are a staple in many households, present in every kitchen, and serve as a vital ingredient in numerous dishes, such as taco samosa, an appetizer recipe. The potent aroma of bay leaves can keep cockroaches away from your refrigerator.
Follow these steps:
- Pick 5-7 bay leaves.
- Crush them in your hands.
- Place the leaves around your refrigerator.
Repeat this process each time you notice their presence, and within a few weeks, the cockroaches will vacate your refrigerator.
Steps to keep cockroaches away from fridge for good
It doesn’t stop at repelling with home remedies for cockroaches in fridge. Your next step is to ensure that these critters do not return.
1. Visually inspect your fridge area
Conduct a thorough visual examination of both your refrigerator and its surrounding areas. Move the refrigerator away from the wall, as this is a common hiding place for cockroaches. If you come across any cockroaches during your inspection, observe their characteristics to assist in identifying the specific species. That can enable you to better understand the nature of roach issue at hand.
2. Clean the area
While cleaning the area around your refrigerator, look out for roach signs such as egg cases (ootheca) and droppings that may be present. Sweep the surrounding area, thoroughly clean the refrigerator’s motor, and empty the condensed water pan located beneath it. Place all the nesting materials in a garbage bag and take them outside for disposal.
3. Caulk tiny holes around your home
Your next and tougher step is to thoroughly inspect the vicinity surrounding your refrigerator, and preferably your entire house, to identify and seal any cracks with caulking materials. Cockroaches can fit into cracks only about 1/16 inch and prefer spaces of about 3/8 inch (9.5 mm).³
Make sure to also apply caulk to any openings or gaps present around electrical outlets to ensure comprehensive sealing.
4. Set up roach traps near your fridge
After cleanup and maintenance, place traps in high-traffic areas where cockroaches are frequently observed. Use this affordable cockroach bait station or this gel bait if you’re dealing with German roaches (but can be a bit messy yet effective option).
German roach adhesive traps are also highly effective as they grip onto the cockroach firmly upon contact. Just ensure to place several traps in the area surrounding the fridge and in areas where roach feces have been previously found.
Invite your local pest control professional
While you can use various home remedies for cockroaches in fridge, completely resolving the infestation may be challenging without a professional pest management company. These are skilled professionals who can address severe roach infestation to improve the health of your household. Cockroaches are unsightly, unhygienic, and disease-carrying insects—you want them eradicated from your home at all costs.
Resources
- “Boric Acid.” National Pesticide Information Center
- “Cockroaches Beware! This House Has Been Treated With Catnip.” ScienceDaily
- “Cockroaches and Their Management.” University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension Outreach
