“How Many Animals Did You Have?”: Woman Shares Effective Cockroach-Killing Hack

• A content creator showed how she got rid of a cockroach infestation using simple household ingredients
• Her homemade spray solution consisted of washing powder, Dettol disinfectant, and water, which proved lethal to the pests
• Many social media users were shocked by the number of dead insects shown in the viral video that accumulated over a million views

A woman has gone viral after sharing a simple yet effective method to eliminate cockroach infestations using everyday household items. Content creator @Mai&BabaChichi, known for sharing personal content and helpful household hacks, posted a video showing her homemade cockroach-killing solution that quickly garnered over a million views.

In the viral clip, the content creator shows multiple areas of her home where dead cockroaches litter the floor of her kitchen and lounge. She then reveals the simple solution she used to combat the pests:

"So it's three teaspoons of washing powder, any washing powder, three teaspoons of Dettol disinfectant, and a cup of water, mix and spray it, and the cockroaches will go."

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The video shows the aftermath of using her homemade insecticide, with more than a handful of dead insects scattered across her floors.

Watch the Facebook clip below.

The science behind the hack

Dettol contains chloroxylenol, which makes up 4.8% of the mixture, along with pine oil, isopropanol, castor oil, soap, and water. The combination with soap creates a deadly formula for insects like cockroaches.

Scientific research suggests that soap blocks pores in insects' bodies, leading to suffocation. When mixed with disinfectants like Dettol, the solution becomes even more effective at eliminating these persistent pests. However, it's worth noting that Dettol products should be used with caution, as they can be toxic to certain animals, particularly cats, who cannot fully metabolise phenolic compounds.

Medical expert Jayshri Rangasamy shared with Briefly News that:

"Homemade insecticides are effective for small-scale pest control and generally safe for humans if used correctly, though they can cause skin irritation and are toxic to pets, especially cats due to phenolic compounds."

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She also said that,

"Commercial insecticides are more potent and effective against a wide range of pests and insects but pose higher health risks for both humans and pets due to potent compounds such as pyrethroids, organophosphates, and carbamates. In humans, it can cause skin irritation and respiratory issues among other symptoms. In pets, they cause symptoms like vomiting and tremors. Both types (homemade and commercial) require careful handling and adherence to safety guidelines."

Why cockroach control is so difficult?

Cockroaches are one of the toughest pests to eliminate. Their survival tactics make infestations hard to control, requiring persistent and strategic pest management. Here’s why getting rid of them is so difficult:

1. Rapid reproduction: Cockroaches breed quickly, leading to large infestations in a short time.​
2. Nocturnal and elusive behaviour: Being primarily active at night, they often remain hidden during the day, making detection and control challenging.​
3. Adaptability: Cockroaches can survive on minimal resources and adapt to various environments, allowing them to thrive in diverse conditions.​
4. Resistance to insecticides: Over time, cockroach populations can develop resistance to common pesticides, making standard treatments less effective. ​
5. Cannibalistic and coprophagic tendencies: Their behaviours of feeding on each other's faeces and bodies can lead to the spread of ingested insecticides within the nest, but also contribute to their resilience. ​

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South Africans react to cockroach hack

Have a look at some comments below:

@Evening Star gushed:

"Yasis. She got them all😭😭"

@Marco Witbooi commented:

"Yaibo... Looks like you never clean at all!"

@Bradly Adams advised:

"Try cleaning once in a while, it usually helps."

@Tar Stillo warned:

"If it's killing them, imagine what it's doing to you."

@Phadiel Mitchell remarked:

"Yoh! You had a lot of animals... Lol!"

@Rosaline Pillay Clark suggested:

"Dettol may be step one, BUT if you do not have pets, please consider mixing equal parts Borax and crushed sweet corn flakes to prevent further infestation. Place this mixture in small amounts under your kitchen sink and in one or two cupboards. You will see the infestation end!"

@Ivan Taurijo exclaimed:

"Jesus, how many were in your house... Let's start there."

Other viral household hacks

• In another article, Briefly News reported about a man who created his own Apple Pencil Pro alternative at home. His DIY hack saved him thousands of rands using items easily found around the house.
• A woman shared on TikTok how a simple food ingredient could attract abundance when used in the home. Her Sunday mopping ritual sparked a heated debate with over 700 comments from conflicted South Africans.
• Briefly News also covered how internet users became intrigued by a woman's hack to get rid of dark armpits. Viewers flooded the comments section asking for the name and price of the special soap featured in her viral demonstration.

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Hilary Sekgota, human interest head of desk at Briefly News, contributed to this article.

Source: Briefly News