Seeing a cockroach dart across your kitchen is enough to make anyone look for a solution. Cockroach traps are easy to find and simple to use, so many people turn to them first.
These traps claim to catch and kill cockroaches without much effort. But the question is, can they stop a full-fledged infestation?
Let’s break down what cockroach traps do, their pros and cons, and when you might need help from experts.
Types of Cockroach Traps Available
There are a few types of traps you can try. Know how each one works to be able to choose the right one for your needs.
Sticky Traps (Adhesive Traps)
These are flat boards with sticky glue that trap cockroaches when they walk on them. Some have bait to attract the roaches.
Pros
- Cheap and easy to buy
- Simple to use; just place and wait
- Safe to use around kids, pets, and food
- Great for checking how bad the problem is
- No chemicals or mess
Cons
- Only catch roaches that touch the trap
- Cannot reach hidden roaches in walls or cracks
- Fill up fast in big infestations
- Don’t work on baby cockroaches or eggs
- Bigger roaches may escape
Bait Traps
These traps use food mixed with poison. Cockroaches eat the bait, go back to their nest, and die—sometimes spreading the poison to other roaches.
Pros
- Can kill many roaches, even hidden ones
- More powerful for big infestations
- Work longer than sticky traps
- Need less attention once set up
Cons
- Takes a few days or weeks to work
- Contain chemicals, so keep away from kids and pets
- Some roaches resist certain baits
- More expensive than sticky traps
Store-Bought vs DIY Traps
| Store-Bought Traps | DIY Traps |
|
|
Do Cockroach Traps Really Work?
Cockroach traps can help but how well they work depends on the situation.
What makes trap work better?
Traps might catch most of the roaches, but if the infestation is average, it only helps but will have a hard time keeping up with the growing number. Once the infestation is bad, traps alone won’t cut it. You will need professional help.
Their effectiveness also depends on where you place the traps. Usually, they are placed near walls, corners, and where you’ve seen roaches. The best spots are dark, warm areas near food and water sources.
Lastly, their effectiveness varies depending on how long you use them. If you use them long-term like 1-3 months, you can see better results. But take note that they lose power over time as the bait dries or gets dirty.
What you can expect…
If you are only using traps, you will see fewer roaches, but not zero. In best-case scenarios, traps reduce the number by 30-60%. You can also expect slow progress. It can take 2-4 weeks to see results.
Cockroach traps are only a temporary fix. If you don’t strive to fix the source of the infestation, more roaches will just appear.
And these traps are more effective in small flats than in big homes or offices.
Why Traps Alone Don’t Solve Everything.
Roaches You Cannot Reach
- Roaches hide 75% of the time in deep cracks and walls
- Baby roaches stay close to nests and don’t go into traps
- Traps don’t affect egg cases. Those will hatch no matter what
Roaches Get Smarter
- Some roaches avoid bait after being exposed a few times
- Others avoid new things like traps altogether
- Over time, they can become immune to certain poisons
New Roaches Keep Coming
- In flats or condos, they move from unit to unit through pipes and walls
- If holes or cracks let them in, traps won’t stop new ones
- Food and water left out will attract more roaches
Other Food Gets in the Way
- If there’s other food around, roaches might skip the traps
- Dirty kitchens make traps less effective
- Leaks and moisture can pull roaches away from dry bait
How to Use Cockroach Traps Effectively
Cockroach traps, as mentioned, won’t completely solve an infestation on their own. But when they’re properly used, they can be helpful in removing some roaches inside your house.
Where you put your traps matters more than you think. Roaches like to crawl along walls and hide in corners, not out in the open. Try placing traps in the following spots:
In the kitchen
- Behind and under fridges and stoves
- Inside cabinets, especially where there’s food
- Under the sink and around pipes
- Along skirting boards and in corners
- Near trash bins and recycling containers
In the bathroom
- Around the base of the toilet
- Under sinks and bathroom cabinets
- Near the tub or shower edges
- Along the wall and floor edges
- Close to drains and plumbing
Other good spots
- Dark, warm areas where roaches hide
- Near cracks or holes where they might come in
- Close to appliances that give off heat
- Storage areas with paper or cardboard
- Gaps between furniture and walls
Place traps across the wall (perpendicular), not flat along it. Roaches move along walls so this increases your chances of catching them.
Monitoring Them
Check sticky traps every 2-3 days if you have a lot of roaches. For bait traps, check them once a week to see if the bait is still good. And keep track of how many roaches you are catching to see the progress.
Replace sticky traps if they are over 30% full, dusty or wet. Replace bait traps if they’re gone, damaged, or it has been two to three months.
Other Things You Should Do
Traps work better when you combine them with good habits and proactive pest prevention efforts.
- Store food in sealed containers.
- Clean crumbs and spills as soon as they happen.
- Don’t leave dirty dishes overnight. If possible, wash them immediately.
- Take out food trash daily.
- Clean behind appliances and below the sinks as often as possible.
- Seal cracks and holes, be it on walls or floors.
- Install door sweeps and fix window screens.
- Cover drains with mesh.
- Seal gaps around pipes and electrical wires.
- Fix leaks in pipes and faucets.
- Use a dehumidifier in damp areas.
- Make sure water drains properly outside your house.
- Ventilate your kitchen and bathrooms.
- Get rid of standing water quickly.
When Cockroach Traps Are Not Enough
If you are still seeing pests despite using traps consistently, it may be time to call in professional help.
Signs You Need a Professional
- If traps fill up within a few days but roach activity still persists
- If there’s evidence of multiple nesting sites
- If the infestation outpaces trap capacity
- If you have areas that are too inaccessible for traps to work
- If you are really worried about the health risks that cockroaches bring
Conclusion
DIY traps can only do so much. Professional pest control companies like Avalon Services use comprehensive methods to eliminate cockroaches at the source. Contact us to get rid of them from your lovely home!
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast do traps work?
→ Sticky traps catch roaches immediately while bait traps may take three to seven days for you to notice the decrease in populations.
Are traps safe around kids and pets?
→ Sticky traps are generally safe if you place them out of their reach. Bait traps should be tamper-resistant and used carefully around pets and children.
How many traps do I need?
→ Place one trap per infested room and then extras in kitchens and bathrooms. For a 3-bedroom unit, start with 8-12 traps.
Can traps eliminate an infestation completely?
→ It has been answered above–only in very small or early-stage infestations.
Why are professionals more effective in eradicating pests like cockroaches?
→ They use multiple pest removal methods, not only traps. Professionals treat hardly inaccessible areas and eliminate eggs and nymphs to ensure that the infestation is totally eliminated.
