Straight answers from a licensed New York exterminator and Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) — serving all five boroughs, in English and Spanish.
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Quick answer: A few home remedies genuinely help reduce cockroaches — boric acid, gel baits, and diatomaceous earth have real effects when used correctly — while popular ones like baking soda, peppermint oil, bay leaves, and cucumber peels are largely myths. Home methods can knock down a light problem, but an established German cockroach population in an NYC apartment usually needs professional, targeted treatment. Here’s the honest breakdown from an Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE).
Home remedies that actually help
- Boric acid (used sparingly): a light dusting in cracks and under appliances works — roaches walk through it, groom it off, and ingest it. Too much, or visible piles, and they avoid it. Keep it away from food, children, and pets.
- Gel bait: the same active approach professionals use is sold over the counter. Tiny dabs in cracks near harborage can be effective for small problems.
- Diatomaceous earth (food-grade): a thin layer in dry cracks damages their exoskeleton over time. It’s slow and only works while dry — useless once damp, which limits it in kitchens and bathrooms.
Home remedies that mostly don’t work
- Baking soda + sugar: a popular internet “recipe,” but there’s no good evidence roaches eat enough to be affected. Low impact.
- Peppermint or essential oils: may repel roaches temporarily but won’t control a population — and repelling can scatter them deeper into walls.
- Bay leaves, cucumber peels, coffee grounds: folk remedies with no reliable effect.
- Bug “bombs”/foggers: often counterproductive — they push roaches into voids and rarely reach where they hide, and they’re a poor fit for NYC apartments.
The honest limits of DIY
Sanitation and the working remedies above can suppress a light infestation. But German cockroaches breed fast (one egg case holds 30–40 eggs), hide in places sprays don’t reach, and re-enter from neighbors and risers in NYC buildings. When you keep seeing them after a few weeks of effort — or see baby cockroaches, a sign of active breeding — DIY has usually hit its ceiling.
Tried the remedies and they’re still around? That’s normal for an established population. New York Exterminating’s NYC cockroach control uses professional gel baiting and low-exposure products placed where roaches actually live, led by an Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE). Call (347) 210-4646. Also see where cockroaches come from & what attracts them.
A Brooklyn-based, NYSDEC-registered company (Reg. #15140) led by Jorge Bedoya, an Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE). For cockroaches, NYE provides a non-repellent microinjection protocol for German cockroaches, placed at the harborage, plus a triple-active IGR. ACE-led work comes with a client portal of service reports and photos, fully bilingual service, and no long-term contract.
Home Remedies for Roaches — FAQ
Does boric acid really kill cockroaches?
Yes, when applied as a very light dust in cracks and voids. The mistake people make is using too much — roaches avoid visible piles. Keep it out of reach of kids and pets.
Does baking soda kill roaches?
It’s a popular myth with little supporting evidence. Boric acid and gel bait are far more reliable.
Do peppermint oil or other scents get rid of roaches?
They may repel roaches briefly but don’t eliminate a population, and repelling can drive them deeper into the structure.
When should I stop DIY and call a professional?
If you still see roaches after a few weeks, spot baby roaches or egg cases, or live in an apartment building where neighbors may be a source, professional treatment is the efficient next step.
