Does Bleach Kill Cockroaches? – 5 Ways To Kill Or Repel

Cockroaches can invade every corner of your home.

The pests tend to hide underneath sinks, in cupboards, or in any other area of your home. The mere sight of cockroaches moving around the house is gross.

They’re not just filthy insects but are also popular vectors of certain diseases. There are numerous remedies for killing and repelling cockroaches, and among them is bleach.

Does bleach kill cockroaches?

To get rid of these pests, you should learn some creative ways of using bleach to kill or repel them.

This post will look at 5 ways you can use bleach to kill or deter roaches from your home.

Does Bleach Kill Cockroaches

Does Bleach Kill Cockroaches?

With its so many uses, does bleach kill cockroaches as well? The answer is yes; bleach can kill and repel roaches. There are more natural methods and scents you can use to repel cockroaches.

Bleach is a (relatively) safe alternative to pesticides and can help you eliminate cockroaches fast. Bleach requires careful handling, but it will not leave chemical fumes lingering in your house (always use it in a well-ventilated area).

Roaches are attracted to your home for several different reasons. Bleach can be an awesome tool in your arsenal!


5 Ways You Can Use Bleach to Kill or Repel Cockroaches

Does Bleach Kill Cockroaches 5 Ways Infographic

There are many varieties of bleach. These varieties, however, have the same chemical composition, which comprises chlorine, caustic soda, and water.

Household bleach can either be in powdered or liquid form. It contains anti-microbial and disinfecting properties, making it a good household pesticide to help eliminate cockroaches.

There are various ways of using bleach to kill or repel cockroaches; these include:


Making Cockroaches Ingest Bleach

You can kill cockroaches with bleach if you make them ingest it. It’s not surprising to know that bleach can kill cockroaches; bleach is extremely lethal if ingested. Ingestion of bleach solution may sound like an easy way to kill cockroaches. However, due to its pungent smell, you can hardly make cockroaches ingest bleach.

Leaving a cup of bleach in your kitchen will not invite any cockroaches. Even if you soak some breadcrumbs or other food items in bleach, the roaches may not fall for the trap.

This method can help to repel the cockroaches from your house, and although it will kill them, it is difficult to get them to ingest bleach!


Using Bleach to Sanitize your Home

You can prevent a cockroach infestation in your home by using bleach to clean and sanitize your home. Bleach contains chlorine, which is highly toxic to cockroaches.

If you use bleach to clean your home, cockroaches will not tolerate the pungent smell and will have no option but to flee.

You can make a bleach solution by mixing bleach with water and other detergents. Use this solution to clean your kitchen counters and other areas prone to infestation. You can also use the solution to clean floors and other areas not prone to corrosion.

The smell of bleach is so pungent that it will make cockroaches run the other way.


Drowning Cockroaches in Bleach

If it is impossible to make roaches ingest, you might consider drowning the cockroaches in bleach. For instance, you may drop the roaches in a container full of bleach whenever you see them.

However, the problem with this strategy is that you can only kill roaches when you encounter them. If you have interacted with cockroaches, you probably understand that they are good at hiding. Whenever you put the lights on, the roaches flee to their hideouts. You might only kill a few roaches with this method and leave hundreds of others hiding in the house.

You can use clips or paper towels to catch cockroaches running around the house and drop them in the bleach solution. However, this task can be exhausting. This method may not be ideal if you are unwilling to encounter cockroaches.

It is a good idea if you don’t mind picking up a roach, or you can catch it. One roach may not mean that your home is infested, but it could be the start!


Spraying Cockroaches with Bleach

You can put bleach in a spray bottle and spray the roaches when you see them moving around the house. The spraying method will help you kill more cockroaches than the ingestion or drowning method. However, you might not be able to access all the cockroaches in your house using the bleach spray method.

By spraying bleach on cockroaches, you might discolor many things that encounter the bleach, including carpets. So be careful!


Destroy Cockroach Nests using bleach

Cockroaches like nesting near water sources; it is common for them to nest inside pipes. If you notice cockroaches coming out of the shower drain or the sink, it may indicate that you have an infestation.

Pour a cup of bleach into the pipe to kill the pests.

To avoid destroying the pipe, you should pour several cups of water into the pipes after pouring the bleach. This will help to rinse the bleach remaining in the pipes and prevent corrosion.


Frequently Asked Questions

Does bleach kill cockroach eggs?

Yes, it does. A word of warning, though. Be careful when using bleach to kill roach eggs! If there are any garments near the eggs/nest, then I recommend grabbing the eggs up and throwing them into the bleach. Do not use bleach near garments because they may become damaged.


Conclusion

Bleach can help you kill and repel cockroaches from your house. However, you must be careful and mindful while using the detergent to avoid causing damage. Moreover, you can use protective gear, including gloves and facemasks, to avoid contaminating or inhaling bleach.

Also, it is advisable to use bleach in its pure form and avoid mixing it with pine-sol or other chemicals.

Be careful when using bleach to kill cockroaches. Use it in a well-ventilated area, and do not ingest it. You could become very sick if you ingest bleach!

Good luck!

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About the author

DIY Pest Control Enthusiast Since 1996

After spending the entire night lying awake in a cockroach-infested hotel, I have driven myself to build knowledge on all things pest control. Since then, I've tested pest control techniques to see what works and what doesn't. Now, here I am giving you all the info I have learned!

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