While it might seem like cockroaches are immortal, there are a number of ways to kill them. Lots of people opt for bleach when trying to get rid of household pests as it’s very cheap compared to other alternatives, but is bleach effective in the fight against a resourceful roach? Let’s find out.
Can Bleach Kill Roaches?
To put it simply, bleach can abolish a cockroach infestation through drowning or ingestion, but is it the most potent approach? Not really. Using bleach isn’t as potent as using an insecticide. Not only that, but it’s not safe, as it contains dangerous chemicals like chlorine and caustic soda.
Bleach features anti-microbial and whitening capabilities, and that’s why it’s one of the strongest cleaning agents that you can use. As you probably know, cockroaches thrive in filth and dirt, and so the moment they smell the potent scent of bleach, they run to the hills. Good, right? Wrong!
Just because cockroaches flee at the first whiff of bleach doesn’t mean they’re never to be seen again. They can simply come back once the smell has vanished. This is why for you to get rid of roaches with the aid of bleach, the roach has to either drink the liquid solution or drown in it.
The primary difference between bleach and other means of killing cockroaches like roach bait is that the latter contains certain ingredients that are implemented specifically to attract roaches so that they eat the bait. When it comes to attracting cockroaches, bleach is a very poor option.
Okay, so what about drowning roaches in bleach? Well, if you get a kick out of carrying out seek and destroy missions where you snatch roaches and drown them one by one, then yes, utilizing bleach can be very effective. For most people, however, this sounds like a total waste of time.
Having said that, it’s abundantly clear that using bleach to kill cockroaches isn’t a very favorable approach. It’ll either chase them away from a couple of days until they come back, or it’ll require you to drown them one by one. Still want to use bleach? Well, we’ve got some tips for you.
Tips for Killing Roaches Using Bleach
Killing cockroaches with the aid of bleach is extremely hard, but we’ve got a very effective tactic that you can resort to. As you may already know, roaches are drawn to water, which is why they often nest in pipes. So, the very first place to start the extermination process is your pipes.
You want to keep in mind, however, that bleach can easily corrode pipes, which is why you want to pour a single cup of bleach into your pipes followed by a few cups of water. Only resort to this approach if you happen to see cockroaches crawling in and out of your sinks or drains.
If you find that bleach doesn’t get the job done, which is likely to be the case, we highly suggest opting for fumigation, as it’s one of the most effective methods for getting rid of household pests. After fumigation, wipe your appliances with a bleach solution to remove stuck-on food crumbs.
Make sure you use a mild bleach solution, though, as the potent smell of bleach can pose a risk to you as well as everyone within your household. Making a mild bleach solution is as simple as mixing one quart of water with one tablespoon of bleach. This should be effective enough.
After spraying your appliances with the bleach solution, you want to let them air dry for a couple of minutes before you wipe the moisture with a dry, clean piece of cloth. If you happen to notice roaches crawling around after doing all of the above, it’s time to opt for baits or an exterminator.
Safety Tips When Using Bleach
Due to the dangerous chemicals that it contains, bleach can pose health risks to humans. In this section of the post, we’ll cover a few safety tips to take into consideration when utilizing bleach.
Wear Protective Clothing
Bleach is a corrosive chemical, which entails avoiding physical content while using it. Make sure you wear protective gloves when working with bleach, as it can irritate the skin if not washed off right after contact. Try your best to cover any exposed part of your party when using bleach.
Avoid Bleach Ingestion
Bleach should be kept away from pets and family members. If ingested, it’s vital that the person who has ingested the bleach solution drink a sufficient amount of water or milk in order to dilute its oxidizing effect. Keep in mind that bleach can irritate the stomach, mouth, and esophagus.
Side effects that are associated with the ingestion of bleach include delirium, vomiting, coma, or even death. Of course, the severity of these side effects depends on a couple of factors, namely the amount of bleach solution ingested and the strength or concentration of the solution.
Avoid Bleach Inhalation
Bleach has a very potent smell that can linger for quite a long time, depending on the strength of the solution. When working with bleach, you must make sure that both your eyes and mouth are well-protected, as exposure can result in stinging eyes, burning throat, and difficulty breathing.
We also advise you to avoid mixing bleach with Pine-Sol, as mixing these two chemicals results in the production of chlorine, which can result in poisoning or death if inhaled. Simply put, you’re required to wear safety gloves and a face mask to avoid the hazardous effects of bleach.
Conclusion
Does bleach kill roaches? Yes, but it’s not the most effective solution. In order for a roach to die due to bleach, it has to either drink the solution or drown in it, which isn’t at all convenient since roaches find bleach repelling rather than attractive. Insecticides and bait are better alternatives.