Effective Tips to Keep Roaches Out of Your Home in Accra

Cockroaches are a common problem in Accra, especially in warm and humid environments where they thrive. These pests carry diseases, contaminate food, and are difficult to eliminate once they infest a home. Preventing roaches from entering your apartment is the best way to keep your space clean and pest-free.

This guide will show you effective, natural, and chemical-based methods to prevent roaches from invading your apartment.

1. Keep Your Apartment Clean and Clutter-Free

Roaches thrive in dirty and cluttered spaces where they can find food, water, and hiding spots.

How to Keep Your Apartment Clean to Prevent Roaches:

• Sweep and mop floors daily to remove crumbs and spills.
• Take out the trash regularly and keep bins covered.
• Wash dirty dishes immediately—roaches are attracted to leftover food.
• Declutter storage areas—avoid stacking newspapers, cardboard, and old clothes.
• Wipe down kitchen counters and cabinets with vinegar or disinfectant.

Why It Works:

A clean apartment makes it harder for roaches to find food and shelter, reducing the chances of an infestation.

2. Seal Entry Points to Stop Roaches from Entering

Cockroaches can enter apartments through tiny cracks, holes, drains, and windows.

How to Block Roach Entry Points:

• Seal cracks and holes in walls, doors, and windows using caulk or cement.
• Cover sink and bathroom drains with fine mesh or drain covers at night.
• Use weather stripping to seal gaps under doors.
• Fix leaking pipes—roaches need water to survive.

Why It Works:

Blocking entry points prevents roaches from entering your apartment, especially at night when they are most active.

3. Store Food Properly to Starve Roaches

Roaches invade apartments looking for food, so proper food storage is key to keeping them away.

How to Store Food to Prevent Roaches:

• Keep food in airtight plastic or glass containers.
• Store fruits and vegetables in the fridge instead of leaving them out.
• Avoid leaving pet food exposed overnight.
• Check food packages for holes—roaches can chew through paper and plastic bags.

Why It Works:

If roaches cannot find food, they will leave or die off due to starvation.

4. Use Natural Roach Repellents

Certain natural ingredients repel cockroaches and keep them from entering your apartment.

Best Natural Roach Repellents:

• Bay leaves: Place dried bay leaves in kitchen cabinets and near entry points.
• Peppermint oil: Mix with water and spray along walls, drains, and windows.
• Cinnamon powder: Sprinkle in corners and along baseboards.
• Lemon juice: Wipe down counters and floors with lemon water.

Why It Works:

Roaches hate strong smells and will avoid areas treated with these natural repellents.

5. Use Boric Acid or Baking Soda as a Roach Killer

If you already have some roaches, using a homemade trap can help eliminate them.

How to Use Baking Soda and Sugar to Kill Roaches:

• Mix equal parts baking soda and sugar.
• Sprinkle the mixture near roach hiding spots.
• Roaches eat the sugar and baking soda, which kills them by causing gas buildup in their stomachs.

How to Use Boric Acid to Kill Roaches:

• Lightly dust boric acid along baseboards, under sinks, and near cracks.
• Roaches walk through the powder, ingest it while cleaning themselves, and die.

Why It Works:

These methods kill roaches naturally without using harmful chemicals.

Caution: Keep boric acid away from pets and children.

6. Use Chemical Roach Killers (If Necessary)

If roaches keep returning, use store-bought roach killers.

Best Chemical Roach Killers:

• Cockroach baits (Raid, Combat): Roaches eat the bait and carry poison back to their nests.
• Insecticide sprays (Doom, Mortein): Kills roaches instantly but does not eliminate eggs.
• Roach gel bait: A long-term solution that attracts and kills multiple roaches.

Why It Works:

These methods target both adult roaches and eggs, ensuring long-term control.

Caution: Always follow safety instructions when using chemical insecticides.

7. Keep Roaches Out of Drains and Bathrooms

Roaches often come from drains and sewers, especially at night.

How to Prevent Roaches in Drains:

• Pour boiling water down the sink and drains weekly.
• Use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to clean pipes.
• Keep drain covers closed at night to block roaches.

Why It Works:

Blocking drains prevents roaches from using pipes as entry points.

8. Get Professional Pest Control for Severe Infestations

If home remedies and insecticides do not work, hire a professional exterminator.

When to Call a Pest Control Service:

• You see roaches daily, even after cleaning and using sprays.
• Roaches keep coming back despite using traps and baits.
• You notice roach droppings and egg cases in multiple areas.

Where to Find Pest Control Services in Accra:

• Jiji Ghana and Tonaton – Search for local pest control experts.
• Professional exterminators in Accra – Available for fumigation and pest management.

Why It Works:

Professional pest control eliminates roaches completely using advanced methods.

9. Maintain a Roach-Free Apartment

Once you get rid of roaches, keep them from coming back.

Long-Term Roach Prevention Tips:

• Inspect your apartment regularly for cracks and leaks.
• Keep your kitchen clean at all times.
• Avoid leaving standing water in sinks and bathrooms.
• Check groceries and cardboard boxes before bringing them inside.

Why It Works:

Regular cleaning and maintenance ensure that roaches never return.

Why Use Apartments.com.gh to Find a Roach-Free Apartment?

If you are looking for an apartment with proper sanitation and pest control, Apartments.com.gh helps you:

• Find apartments with regular fumigation services.
• Compare rental listings in well-maintained buildings.
• Connect directly with landlords who ensure pest-free living spaces.

Start your apartment search today at Apartments.com.gh.

Conclusion

Keeping roaches away from an apartment in Accra requires cleaning, sealing entry points, storing food properly, and using natural or chemical repellents. By following these steps, you can prevent infestations and maintain a pest-free home.

Looking for a roach-free apartment in Accra? Visit Apartments.com.gh today to explore well-maintained rental options.