These small insects reproduce quickly and do well in warm, moist environments like kitchens and bathrooms. They breed fast and can be very difficult to get rid of once you’ve got them in your home. For those individuals, aggressive chemical treatments are the standard treatment, although there are effective, safer choices. Here’s how to get rid of German cockroaches naturally — without using chemicals that are harmful to you or your pets as suggested by United Pest Solutions.

How to Identify the German Cockroach

German cockroaches are small and light brown, two dark stripes down their backs. They are nocturnal and feed at night, hiding during the day. They are attracted to food scraps, moisture and clutter, so cleanliness is an important part of prevention and control.

What makes Asian carp especially tricky is their prolific breeding. An individual female can lay hundreds of eggs in a few months. So early intervention with nontoxic measures is key.

Thorough Cleaning and Purging

Begin with a deep clean of your home – particularly in the kitchen and the bathroom. Be sure to remove all food crumbs, grease and spills. Counterwipe, floorsweep, vacuum under the appliances. German cockroaches can live on the tiniest food morsels, so precision is advised.

• Remove trash frequently and use tightly sealed containers.
• Do not leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight.
• Take away pet food dishes when not in use.
• Repair any leaky pipes or faucets to cut off moisture sources.

Decluttering also counts for a lot. Cockroaches are attracted to dark, cluttered areas and they tend to hide in cardboard boxes, stacks of paper and other objects you haven’t used in a long time. Organize your space to get rid of hiding places.

Seal Entry Points

Check your house for cracks and crevices and small openings near windows, doors, and plumbing. Caulk or weather strip these openings. Even tiny holes can be an entry point or hiding place for cockroaches.

Pay special attention to:

• Gaps behind cabinets
• Spaces under sinks
• Cracks along baseboards

If you do put it off Observe how the electrical and gas lines are entering your house.

By sealing these areas, you can be sure that cockroaches aren’t gaining access to your house, or coming and going from it.

Use Natural Baits

You can make cockroach bait yourself with a few non-toxic ingredients. A common and effective recipe involves boric acid, sugar and flour. That said, boric acid is a natural substance that remains toxic, if ingested by a pet or child.

Alternatively you can use sugar and baking soda:

• Combine sugar and baking soda in equal quantities.
• Put small amounts in shallow lids or bottle caps and space them out in areas like under the sink, behind the refrigerator and inside of cabinets.
• The sugar lures the roaches, and the baking soda dehydrates them, destroying their digestive system and killing them, without any toxic chemicals.

Spread Diatomaceous (Food Grade)

DE, or diatomaceous earth is a natural powder made up of fossilized prehistoric single cell algae. It’s safe for humans and pets, non toxic even if ingested, but kills insects. As cockroaches move through DE, the sharp particles cut up their exoskeletons and dehydrate them.

• Use only food-grade DE.
• Sprinkle it around those places where you find roaches.
• Reapply after washing or if you get wet.

DE is most effective in dry environments and will need to be applied consistently for several weeks to take effect.

Set Up Traps

You also can opt for sticky traps (glue boards). They aid in managing infestations, and cutting down on the number of roaches. Sit them under appliances, in cabinets and by known cockroach thoroughfares. Traps alone will not eliminate an infestation, but they can be useful in combination with baits and other control tactics.

Maintain Ongoing Prevention

Once you have an infestation cleared, keeping a clean, dry house is crucial in preventing cockroaches from returning. Keep sealing cracks, cleaning frequently and cutting down on your home’s humidity — particularly during Seattle’s damp months. You might also want to try a dehumidifier in these dampest areas, like the basement and bathroom, to make the space less inviting to pests.

It is possible without dangerous chemicals to get rid of German cockroaches, however it takes a dose of consistent strategy. Something else that the people may not know is, in places like Seattle with climates where the conditions are wet, scrubbing with natural things like baking soda, DE, and air tight is key. And if those solutions don’t work and the infestation remains, it is a good idea to reach out to a local pest professional who uses eco-friendly or integrated pest management solutions.