Cockroach remedy

I am sad when I hear of people with cockroach trouble, because the remedy is so simple.

We had the worse infestation of cockroaches, for two or three years, on our farm. Open a drawer or cupboard, there they were. Open a packet, mother and young would be staring at you. Turn on the light, they would be swarming on the table.

Periodically we would take everything out of the kitchen and spray or swat ourselves silly. It was no use. In a few days, they’d be back.

My mother came from New Zealand to live with us, bringing her cookbooks. One of them had a section of household remedies, including one for dealing with cockroaches, using borax powder and sugar. “Too simple,” I thought. “It’ll never work.” Then I thought, “Why not try it?” So ...

1). Mix equal parts of sugar and borax powder.

2. Spread in all corners, like backs and sides of drawers, corners of cupboards and shelves, and along baseboards.

Day by day, first the smallest, then the adults, disappeared. We haven’t seen any in 20 years.

Not only is it effective, but it’s not dangerous to pets and toddlers. Also, it’s cheap.

This story was originally published May 24, 2015 at 12:16 PM with the headline "Cockroach remedy."