The problem with roaches and rats is not about how disgusting or annoying they are. Rats in particular carry diseases and if left to roam freely, can put your health at risk.

Prevention is definitely better than cure because roaches can become a reservoir for viruses and bacteria like salmonella and the polio virus.

Rodents, on the other hand, are vehicles for viruses like the plague or haemorrhagic fevers that have led to deaths in Malaysia.

Lizards also carry diseases and should be eliminated upon sight.

So, the next time you spot one in your home, don’t just scream for your housemate – pluck up the courage to do something about it.

Here are some effective ways to prevent and eliminate these pests from taking control of your home.

Roaches

• Deny them water

First and foremost, deny them water. It is known that cockroaches can live for a month or two without food, but only about a week without water.

So fix all the leaky pipes in your home and check the surrounding area, including the garden for any open containers or pots that might contain water.

• Declutter and clean

The next step is to clean your house. Leave no stone unturned, or in this case, furniture.

A cockroach’s tough shell, known as its exoskeleton is able to withstand even the worst radiation that can kill humans.

So, throw out the garbage every night, keep the sink clean and dish-free, and make sure that no food is left out in the open where it is easily accessible by these roaches.

• Bring in the bubbles

According to a blogger named Sylvia Tramos, bubbles can kill roaches almost instantly.

To make the bubbles, you can use any kind of shampoo, liquid soap, detergent, dish washing liquid or soap as long as bubbles are formed.

This is a good way to use up leftover shampoo or liquid soap that you don’t want to use on yourself.

Apart from bubbles, cockroach bait or professional-grade pesticides will kill roaches. Decide what is best for your family. Take into account the safety of your kids and pets.

Rats

• Clean your home

Once you have identified where the rats are camping out, clean the entire house so no food and water is left lying around. Don’t forget to seal any holes in the wall or ceiling, which could be entrances for these nasty creatures.

• Trap them

Unless you’re a cat, physically hunting down these rats and killing them might not appeal to you. So, set out live traps to lure them in.

• Drive them away

Preventing them from entering your house is the best option. Soak some rags in ammonia, or use mothballs and place these in areas most frequented by these pests.

The smell alone will discourage them. Peppermint oil and dried mint leaves also work really well in repelling rats.

Lizards

• Seal your home

Aren’t you sick and tired of seeing that overly confident and fat lizard scamper around your home like he owns the place?

Just like roaches and rats, lizards enter the home through little cracks and will continue to be around if there is food to feed on.

So, use caulk or putty to seal cracks and holes in your home.

• Bat them off with egg shells and garlic

Lizards apparently detest the smell of egg shells, so the next time you make that breakfast omelette, save the shells and place them around the house – you won’t see a lizard anywhere near it.

They also hate the smell of garlic, so leave some cloves out and they will stay away.

• Lizard balls

Ever heard of lizard death-balls? They’re a combination of coffee powder and tobacco packed into small balls, and when lizards eat them, they die.

There are many ways to kill pests in your home. But most importantly, always keep your house clean and well-sealed.

This article first appeared in kaodim.com

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