Finding out you have a roach infestation is a difficult position to be in, especially if they are coming directly out of your drain system.
There are quite a few different approaches to killing roaches, but we will focus on what you can pour down your drain to ensure all the insects are dead and remain that way.
You can pour the following down the drain:
- Warm water, then boiling water
- A mixture of ammonia and hot water
- White vinegar and baking soda
Approaching things from an amateur’s perspective might lead one to believe that simply pouring bleach down the drain can solve your problem. But, this is not an effective solution.
Even worse, stories might lead you to believe that mixing random chemicals and hoping one of these acidic combinations eradicates all the roaches in your drain pipes. However, this could not be further from the truth, and we will learn why in this article.
Can Cockroaches Come Up Through the Drains?
Yes, cockroaches can come up through the drains. American roaches and palmetto bugs are notorious for climbing out of sewer pipes, and shower drains. They even like navigating around drain covers to seek their next potential meal.
If you cannot follow one of the recommended methods listed below to kill the cockroaches instantly, you might be wise to invest in some anti-cockroach drain covers or drain stoppers.
Doing so is a Band-Aid on a gaping wound, though, because the moment said covers are removed, the problem will rear its ugly head again, as will all the sewer roaches awaiting another opening.
Read More: How To Get Rid Of Roaches In Your Drains
What to Put Down the Drain to Kill Cockroaches
Below you will find several methods to fight and kill a cockroach infestation.
Still, it would help if you were especially careful only to utilize the chemical mixtures listed and avoid cross-mixing, as doing so can be dangerous to yourself and your family.
Contact poison control if you have combined any of these chemicals listed below and are not entirely sure if it is safe to be in the room or area.
Make a mental note of when you applied the mixture and what chemicals you used to get the appropriate solution.
Warm Water, then Boiling Water
Initially, you want to run warm water throughout the pipes to dislodge any roaches clinging loosely to the edges of the piping itself; do this for three minutes.
Next, you will want to follow that up with 3 to 4 cups of boiling water.
Doing so will scald the roaches and any eggs they may have stored, or attached to them, providing fleeting relief from the drain system and your household by association.
This method does not involve harmful chemicals or mixtures but will instantly kill cockroaches without too much effort or fuss.
A Mixture of Ammonia & Hot Water
The standard approach for this method is one part ammonia and one part hot water and pouring it directly into the drain to kill insects of any variety looming in the drain pipes and sewer system.
While handling ammonia, you should exercise caution and be sure not to overdo it when making your mixture. This is primarily because overexposure to ammonia can irritate the skin and damage your lungs, throat, and eyes.
Along with the above, give the area time to air out, as extended exposure to ammonia can yield the same effects listed above, and if the concentrated solution is strong enough, it can prove fatal.
Read More: Using Ammonia To Kill Roaches
A Mixture of White Vinegar & Baking Soda
The final combination you can pour down a drain to kill roaches is a white vinegar and baking soda mixture.
Doing so calls for half a cup of white vinegar and half a cup of baking soda, allowing it to set in the drain for about 3 to 5 minutes with a stopper on the gutter itself.
After the set amount of time has passed, remove the stopper, pouring boiling water down the drain to essentially scrub the pipes clean of all roaches hiding within. About three cups of water should get the job done.
Ways to Prevent Roaches from Entering Your Drains
Pouring boiling water or chemicals down your drains will not be enough of a deterrent to rid you of a roach infestation completely. Unfortunately, additional precautions are required to see the actual benefits of each treatment.
Remove Garbage Each Night
The most important aspect of killing roaches is eliminating any potential food sources they will have access to. Your garbage is an open buffet to these cretins and one of your best options for in-home pest control.
Periodically cleaning the garbage cans outside and inside your home will also work wonders in keeping the cockroach population in check.
Read More: What Do Roaches Eat?
Plug Your Drains at Night
Placing a stopper on your drains will stop roaches from having easy access to your home and actively seeking refuge and food.
Do not settle for only handling your sink. Ensure that the shower drain, holes, and any other drains available in your home are covered or stopped, and apply the treatment methods above in tandem for maximum results.
Do the Dishes
Doing the dishes removes the nesting grounds that a dirty sink provides and removes the remaining food particles that were on them from being preyed upon, cutting into the roach’s food sources and fighting the infestation by association.
Keep Your Kitchen Clean
Dirty dishes, overflowing garbage cans, and crumbs left on the floor (from your children, pets, or even yourself) all contribute as active food sources for roaches, which will keep insects on the prowl, hunting for any food particles you may have missed.
Actively targeting areas in the kitchen where roaches feed and potentially nest will always be your best bet to stop cockroaches from seeking out a vacation in your humble abode.
Clean Your Kitchen Sink Drains
Scrubbing your sinks down routinely will act in much the same way that cleaning your dishes does.
The food particles on the plates will also be in the sink itself, so take some baking soda, dish soap, hot water, and a sponge to clean that area thoroughly!
Ways to Eliminate Cockroaches from Entering Your Drains
Seal Your Drains
Sealing the drains will prevent roaches from surfacing, and looking for any scraps you may have left behind.
You can easily do this by purchasing a plug for your drains to prevent roaches from entering your home.
Fix Leaky Faucets
A leaky faucet does not seem like it would necessarily attract roaches. Still, the moisture created from the residual leak will inevitably make the perfect conditions to invite these pests into your entire drain system.
Look for Gaps Around the Pipes Under Your Sink
Any openings in your pipes can be used as a way for a few bugs to slip in unannounced. Sealing any leaks or gaps you may have with a gutter sealant would be advisable.
Typically, where there are a few, there are more. In that case, ensure you seal these entrances to keep pests out.
Fix Holes in Your Walls
In much the same way a gap around a pipe can provide an in, a hole in your wall will do the same amount of damage, mainly when venting for a laundry room.
Any small crack to your wall or foundation is an issue, even for simple renovations like working on the bathroom floor.
Get Rid of Condensation
Condensation equates to, but one massive problem: the moisture that arises as a byproduct from it; roaches can go months without food. Still, they can usually only survive just a few days without some manner of water.
Can I Pour Bleach Down My Drains?
Yes, while you technically can go about pouring bleach down your drains and kill roaches, there are far too many risks involved.
These risks include anything ranging from the toxic fumes created when mishandled to potentially damaging your pipes; it just isn’t worth the effort to do so.
Can I Pour Chemicals Down My Drain to Get Rid of Roaches?
Yes, you can pour certain chemicals down your drain to eliminate roaches. However, not all of them are advisable.
Pouring chemicals down your drain and finding success isn’t uncommon, but there is only a handful of them that will not put your family or property at risk doing so.
Baking soda, boric acid, and mixing ammonia are safer options to pour down your drain.
You could also utilize a vinegar mixture, but the biggest thing to remember is the amounts of these chemicals you are using. Overdoing it can be hazardous for your well-being and your wallet!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Roaches Come Through the Toilet?
No, roaches cannot come through the toilet. This is due to the constant flow of water involved. Drain holes, however, will remain an issue.
Can You Pour Insecticide Down the Drain?
No, you cannot pour insecticides down the drain. This is very dangerous. Doing so can contaminate the area or damage your pipes or drainage system.
Can I Put Boric Acid Down the Drain?
Yes, you can put boric acid down the drain pipes and drain holes and manage to kill roaches in the process.
Read More: Boric Acid to Kill Roaches
Why Do I Keep Finding Roaches in My Bathroom?
You keep finding roaches in your bathroom because they are searching for water, food, and shelter.
While there are many ways to eliminate roaches in the bathroom, not cleaning up the area can become one of the most significant factors in recurring infestations.
Dead roaches can be fed by live ones and used as a substitute food to create more nests and yield cockroach eggs, which will start the entire process over again.
Eradicating the pests themselves means very little if they managed to lay eggs throughout their lifetime, so exercise diligence in finding all remnants and removing them to win the battle against an ongoing infestation.
What Should I Do if Nothing is Working?
If nothing is working, it may be time to seek a professional. This is especially true if you have used all treatments with no results.
These treatments include chemicals down the drain, peppermint sprays, and general spray bottle applications.
Going with a professional removes what is out of the equation and gives you further insight into how to kill roaches instantly and prevents you from personally causing a chemical reaction that might have disastrous results.
