How To Get Rid Of Roaches Without Harming Pets

How to Get Rid of Roaches in the Car

by Mary Ylisela

cockroach image by Benjamin Jefferson from Fotolia.com

The inside of your car is not the typical place to find a cockroach infestation. Regardless, roaches will go wherever there's a food and water source, including an available source in your car. Having cockroaches in your home is unpleasant, but dealing with them in the close quarters of your car can be unsettling. Natural supplies help rid your car of cockroaches without introducing strong chemicals into the place where you, your family and pets sit as you drive.

Step 1

Vacuum the interior of your car completely. Remove crumbs and food particles from carpeted and upholstered areas, making sure to get down in between seats and underneath them as well. Empty out and vacuum your trunk, too.

Step 2

Fill a spray bottle with vinegar. Spray all interior, hard-surfaced areas inside your car, such as the dashboard, center console and the insides of doors and windows. Vinegar cleans the surfaces of food crumbs, spills and stains.

Step 3

Sprinkle boric acid powder on the carpet and fabric upholstery in your car. Boric acid is natural, with low toxicity and slowly kills roaches as they walk through the powder, then clean themselves and ingest it. Replenish the boric acid powder once a week until roaches are gone.

Step 4

Make boric acid roach bait to aid in the killing of cockroaches in your car. Mix together 1/4 cup shortening, 1/8 cup sugar, 1 cup boric acid, 1/2 cup flour and enough water to make soft balls of dough. Stir the ingredients well to distribute the boric acid powder throughout.

Step 5

Form the boric acid bait into walnut-sized balls. Place one ball in each milk jug cap. Place the roach bait in your trunk, glove compartment, ashtrays and inside the center console.

Replenish your roach bait supply every few days until you see no more roaches.

References

Things You'll Need

Vacuum cleaner
White vinegar
Spray bottle
Clean cloths
Boric acid powder
Bowl
1/4 cup shortening
1/8 cup sugar
1 cup boric acid
1/2 cup flour
Spoon
Milk jug caps

Warnings

Be persistent with roach bait and boric acid powder. These methods are effective but can take several weeks to kill a serious roach infestation.
Even though boric acid is natural and low in toxicity, it can harm children or pets if ingested. Vacuum your car and remove roach bait balls if you must transport children or pets in the car.

Writer Bio

Mary Ylisela is a former teacher with a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education and mathematics. She has been a writer since 1996, specializing in business, fitness and education. Prior to teaching, Ylisela worked as a certified fitness instructor and a small-business owner.