Living in this world means dealing with all kinds of pests. Some we get used to, some we don’t. Few are easy to manage while others test our nerves. Many people reach for the spray or the trap but what about those who just can’t bring themselves to kill them? Especially when it comes to roaches – finding how to get rid of roaches in your house without killing them can feel tricky.
In this blog, we’ve shared plenty of ways to remove roaches using humane methods & natural pest control without relying on any harmful chemicals. Roaches might be unwanted guests but there are thoughtful, kind ways to keep them outside where they belong!
Let’s keep reading.

How To Get Rid of Roaches in Your House Without Killing Them?
Roaches can be a little hard to get rid of, if killing them is not on your list.
There are plenty of ways to get rid of roaches. Some work fast, some take time, but the best long-term strategy is simple: deny them what they want. Stop providing them ‘food’. Roaches aren’t picky. The eat skin flakes, hair, breadcrumbs, feces, mucus, even paper, and paint. Cut off their access. Close all cabinets tightly, clean under the sink as well and never leave food particles scattered around your home as baby cockroaches feed on them & grow fast.
Repeating again- clean your home thoroughly. Vacuum every part, including inside cabinets and drawers because even if the roaches are gone their droppings might still be there.
Along with cleaning, here are a few extra tips to help keep roaches away without killing them:
- Do the dishes before bed every night.
- Don’t leave doors open at night.
- Take the trash out daily, especially at night.
- Place glue traps near potential spots where roaches might sneak in.
- Look for the droppings in dark spaces.
- Clean the infested area first & dont forget to sanitize it afterwards.
Kind Ways to Remove Roaches From Your Home
Now here are some DIY ways that can help you clean your place from roaches without considering the need of killing them:
Moisture Control
Just like we talked about above, if you want to stop seeing pests around, put an end to their resource supply. Roaches tend to live in places that are hard to recognize (dark corners, cracks, and crevices) where they can stay cozy and well-fed. And nothing draws them in quite like moisture. Control the moisture in these places. Patch up leaks, dry out damp areas and make sure water isn’t pooling where it shouldn’t. Once you clean your home and there are no leaks and no food resources left outside (not even on counters, shelves or any other hidden place), you’ve minimized the chances of roaches showing up without even killing them.
Bay Leaves
Bay leaves are one of those natural tricks that actually work. They act as a repellent and keep roaches and other pests away without harming them. Just place a few leaves in the darker corners of your home, under the sink, behind the fridge or near entry points. For quick effect, sprinkle a bit of olive oil or lemon oil on them. The strong aroma makes the scent even harder for roaches to ignore and hence makes way for the roaches’ departure.
Neem Leaves
Neem leaves can be used as a substitute if bay leaves are not available. Neem leaves have a strong odor that helps in keeping the place clean from any kind of pests. If you put them at different corners of your home where roaches seem to look for, that can be proved as one fine way of getting rid of cockroaches without killing them.
Boric Acid
Get boric acid, you can easily find it on Amazon store. Once you have it, head to any hardware store and buy a puffer. Fill it with boric acid. Spray the acid at every place which is infested or could be infested in the near future. Leave the area for a while and the next morning, clean it thoroughly. Make sure to remove both the dead roaches and the residue.
(While researching, I went through this case study of a man who lived in a building fully infested with roaches. He did not take help from any pest control company, he got rid of all the roaches with this boric acid trick. He spread the powder everywhere. The next morning he cleared the mess and for the next 5 years he did not experience any roach high infestation. Again he was very careful with the mess, he cleared up everything including the food particles and all that can invite roaches in a home.)
Diatomaceous Earth
This natural powder can be sprinkled in areas where roaches frequently visit. While it can harm them, it works by dehydrating them rather than being a poison. It is non-toxic to humans and pets, only remains hard against pests.
Advion Gel.
Advion gel works much like a glue trap. You can place it around cabinets and corners and for better results, sprinkle a bit of boric acid over it. Start by cleaning the cabinets thoroughly, it’s even better if you wipe the floor with a disinfectant. Then, apply Advion gel around all cabinets and corners, especially where food particles might be left behind. The gel will trap roaches before they cross the barrier. Remember to repeat the process every 3–4 days for the best results.
Get help from Pest Control Company
If all these DIY strategies don’t work out for you, it’s best to get help from a pest control company. They’ll not only help you get rid of roaches but you also won’t have to get your hands dirty in the process or deal with all those tricky techniques yourself.
Go for the pros and watch the roaches go!
Dave’s Pest Control - Get Rid of Roaches!
Dave’s Pest Control is a proud family-owned business that has been serving Floridians for over 45 years. We’ve helped hundreds of families tackle their pest problems, and many of them continue to trust us for regular service. Our roach removal team responds quickly, targets infestations efficiently and uses methods that are friendly to both your family & pets.
Why You Should Get Rid of Roaches in Your Home
We are sentimentalists. We don’t find peace in killing pests despite the mess they’ve caused us. But that still doesn’t deny the fact that roaches are actually very harmful. They not only bring a lot of mess into your home but can also spread diseases, some of which can be fatal. So, if you’re seeing roaches and thinking they’re just a “mess,” know that they’re much more than that. The live, crawling roaches are a concern but that’s not the only problem. Their droppings can be just as dangerous. Even if you’ve managed to kick them out and seal every entry point, their droppings might still be there and those alone can cause illness. So, remember, droppings are a red flag too and shouldn’t be ignored just because the roaches are gone.
Fun Fact About Roaches
Did you know roaches are actually older than dinosaurs? They’ve been around for over 300 million years! So, if you ever look at one and wonder how long it can live, just know it might outlast more than you’d expect!

Conclusion
If you are a person who wants to get rid of roaches without killing them, there are plenty of ways. The process might be slow and effort-taking (compared to the fast, typical killing methods) but you will surely reclaim your place without harming these creatures.
The methods include thorough cleaning of your home, the use of boric acid, strategic placement of bay or neem leaves, use of Diatomaceous Earth powder and making traps around corners with the help of Advion gel. You will see results- a roach free space in a while, but definitely worth the patience.
After all, not all battles need to be fought with sprays and traps, some can be won with patience and care!