2-Ingredient Homemade Cockroach Bait

With just two ingredients, this homemade cockroach insecticide is natural, easy, and effective! This homemade bait is non-toxic and safe for use in homes with children and pets.

Homemade Cockroach Bait

When I moved to Texas, the cockroaches really took me by surprise! They would appear everywhere at nightfall and even make their way inside the house—no matter how clean it was!

I soon learned that American cockroaches are simply a part of life in the South. Also known as "palmetto bugs," they thrive in warm, humid areas. While spotting a cockroach in your home doesn't necessarily mean you've done something wrong, that doesn't mean you want them lurking around! Our homemade ant remedy works so well that many readers started asking me, "Do you have a homemade recipe for getting rid of cockroaches, too?"

That got me thinking: why not try making one?

While researching homemade cockroach-killing recipes, I discovered there are two types: non-toxic natural remedies and traditional poison-based formulas.

With a house full of kids, I definitely prefer the natural options! And, as I found with my natural ant repellent, natural products often work just as well—or even better—than harsh chemicals.

Where do cockroaches live?

As I mentioned earlier, cockroaches thrive in warm, dark places. Certain species prefer humidity, while others favor a drier climate.

There is a common belief that cockroaches seek out "dirty" homes, but this is not necessarily true. They can slip into a house through the tiniest cracks or arrive hidden in a suitcase, among other ways.

Here are four common types of cockroaches and their favorite hiding spots:

1. German cockroach: These small insects prefer warm, humid environments near food and water sources. You will often find them nesting in the kitchen or bathroom.
2. Brown-banded cockroach: This is the smallest type of cockroach; it prefers warm, dry, and cozy spots. You might see them in cabinets, the pantry, or near electronic appliances like the refrigerator.
3. Oriental cockroach: Also known as "water bugs," Oriental cockroaches prefer damp environments. They enter homes through sewers and drains.
4. American cockroach: This is the type of cockroach I frequently see in Texas and other parts of the South. Also known as "palmetto bugs," they prefer warm, humid conditions. You will find them in kitchens, bathrooms, and even in outdoor pool areas.

What you need to make cockroach bait

What I love most about our homemade cockroach-killing remedy is that it requires only two simple ingredients. You likely already have them at home! Just in case, we’ve included links to purchase the products we use; check out our disclosure policy here.

1 cup sugar

1 cup baking soda (we buy it in bulk because we use it for so many things around the house).

TIP: You can easily make larger batches of this natural remedy; just be sure to keep the 1:1 ratio!

How to prepare a natural remedy to get rid of cockroaches

Mix sugar and baking soda in a container. You can also put the mixture in a jar, close it, and shake it; this makes it easier to store.

Scatter the homemade remedy directly on the floor in areas where you have seen cockroaches, or place some in a shallow dish and set it on the floor.

It’s that simple!

TIP: If you use this natural remedy alongside an ultrasonic pest repeller (a simple, non-toxic device that plugs into an outlet), you’ll get even better results. Or rather, you won't see any results at all—because the cockroaches and other insects will have disappeared!

How it works

The sugar draws the cockroaches to the bait.

The baking soda in this product kills the cockroaches that ingest it. They will also carry it back to their nest, thereby eliminating even more of them!

TIP: Make sure to leave the product in place for a while, even after you stop seeing cockroaches. They are experts at hiding, and you don't want them to get away!

Where to place cockroach bait

Cockroaches like to shelter in warm, dark, and damp places. Think, for example, behind the refrigerator, under the sink, inside cabinets, etc.

For best results, place several bait stations at the same time.

Check the bait every two days to see if it has been disturbed. If it looks like cockroaches have entered any of the stations, you are on the right track! Refill the container with the homemade insecticide and leave it in the same spot.

However, if the insecticide appears untouched, try moving it to a different location and check it again after a couple of days.