Do you want to know the effect of sanitizer on cockroaches? If it is so, then congratulations, you are at the right place. In this blog, I will discuss, Does sanitizer kill cockroaches?
There are various methods to kill roaches and get rid of their infestation. Different companies have introduced insecticide sprays containing chemicals that are proven to be effective.
Besides, some people attempt to use disinfectants and sanitizers because they also contain harsh chemicals, so I will tell you whether these sprays are efficacious against roaches or not.
I have been researching roaches’ behavior against different insecticidal and sanitizer sprays for a reasonable amount of time, so you will not be disappointed by the information provided here.
Now, let’s begin!
Does Sanitizer Kill Cockroaches?
The short answer to this question is yes, sanitizer can be deadly for roaches as it can be absorbed readily into their outer shell, making its way to internal and external pores called spiracles that are responsible for the exchange of gasses; it covers the entire area of these pores making it hard for air to pass, which cause death.
The composition of sanitizer sprays is responsible for leading roaches to their death stage as it contains alcohol and hydrogen peroxide.
Alcohol can block the oxygen from reaching the cells by absorbing and covering spiracles, while hydrogen peroxide can damage the outer shell and can lead to dehydration and death.
What is Sanitizer?
You will be familiar with hand sanitizers as it is a part of our daily life and serves a significant role in protecting us from harmful pathogens present in our surroundings.
You may know sanitizer for cleaning hands, but I will tell you something additional and informative about these sprays and solutions.
Sanitizers are not only associated with cleansing hands, but they are also used in liquid form to clean kitchen shelves, floors, and other belongings.
Sanitizers are specifically made to kill germs and pathogens that cause diseases and infections, and the ingredients used in their composition fulfill this goal.
But does its composition make it suitable for killing roaches? Let’s find out the answer to this question by identifying its ingredients.
What Ingredients Does a Sanitizer Contain?
I have listed chemicals and their percentages present in sanitizers, so let’s have a look and find out the active chemicals that play a role in killing roaches for good.
| No | Ingredients | Percentage |
| 1 | Isopropyl alcohol | 99.8 % |
| 2 | Hydrogen peroxide | 3 % |
| 3 | Glycerol | 98 % |
| 4 | Distilled water | 10000 ml |
The main chemicals that take part in destroying roaches are a 3 % solution of hydrogen peroxide and 99. 8 % alcohol. Some sanitizers contain 96 % ethanol in their formulations.
The presence of alcohol is directly proportional to the efficiency of sanitizer, whether it is for deactivating microbes or killing roaches.
So, I will suggest you use solutions that contain 99. 8 % alcohol.
How Does Sanitizer Kill Cockroaches?
We have discussed the ingredients and introduction of sanitizers, so now let’s see how these ingredients work to kill cockroaches.
Do you know that roaches also breathe and they need oxygen molecules to carry out life-sustaining reactions in their bodies? Yes, this is a fact.
However, they don’t use the same organ for the exchange of gasses as humans but have openings on their body surface that allow the inhalation of oxygen and exhalation of carbon dioxide.
But what if this mechanism stops? They will eventually die, but unfortunately, roaches can bear this loss for about a minimum of 30 and a maximum of 45 minutes.
Role of Alcohol in Cockroaches’ Death
As you have seen from the above table, alcohol is the main ingredient in sanitizer, which not only kills bacteria and viruses effectively but can also increase the absorption of sanitizer.
Alcohol can enter the most minor and tightest spaces; this property helps the sanitizer reach the spiracles and perform the action.
It fills the gaps and holes and makes sure that air will not find its way inside a roach, so no exchange of gasses occurs. Besides, reactions containing oxygen as an intermediate also stop.
Role of Hydrogen Peroxide in Cockroaches’ Death
As I have mentioned above, sanitizers also contain 3 % hydrogen peroxide, which is more than enough to lead cockroaches to the ending stage.
Moreover, to confirm the working of hydrogen peroxide, I performed an experiment which is stated below, so let’s have a look!
Steps of Experiment
Let’s first discuss the steps I followed to complete my experiment.
- I took 3 % hydrogen peroxide solution in the measuring cup.
- Then added 3 % distilled water in it to make its solution.
- Next, I filled it in a bottle with a tight spraying nozzle.
- I caught a roach using a glue trap.
- Then I targeted the outer shell of the cockroach and sprayed the solution.
Final Result
You must be eager to know the result and effect of hydrogen peroxide. So, let’s disclose it.
The hydrogen peroxide attacked the exoskeleton and removed it, which resulted in an outflow of roach body fluids.
So the roach experienced dehydration and died. This proved the role of hydrogen peroxide in sanitizers.
The notable point is that hydrogen peroxide is more effective for killing cockroaches when used separately instead of when mixed with other chemicals in sanitizers.
Is Sanitizer Preferable to Kill Cockroaches?
We have discussed the effect of sanitizer on roaches but is it with using? As I have mentioned earlier, there are several other methods that can be used to remove and kill roaches.
Therefore, I suggest you use insecticidal sprays that are mainly composed to cause cockroaches’ death instead of using sanitizer, as there is a high risk of survival in this method.
Roaches are adaptable species that can even survive without a head, so they also adopt mechanisms that assist them in surviving sanitizer sprays.
Besides, some sanitizers also contain strong odors, which can alarm roaches to escape the situation.
Summarizing Lines:
In this blog, we have discussed, does sanitizer kill cockroaches? So, yes, it is pretty effective in killing cockroaches, but under strict conditions.
As it is a slow process and less effective therefore, other methods, such as using bait, traps, and insecticide sprays, are preferable.
But, if you are deprived of any roach-killing product and have no other option, you can go for sanitizer and disinfectant sprays.
I hope this blog has proved to be productive for you.
FAQs:
Can a Sanitizer Kill Ants?
Sanitizer can get inside ants’ skeletons effortlessly and kill them by disturbing their oxygen supply, but it is only valid for small numbers and cannot remove the whole community.
Can a Sanitizer Remove the Whole Roach Infestation?
Sanitizer is present in liquid form and can be sprayed on one or two roaches at a time. Moreover, its effectiveness chances are also less, so it cannot handle a large population of roaches.
Does Sanitizer Kill Roaches’ Eggs?
Roaches’ eggs are enclosed in an ootheca, which provides protection. Fortunately, sanitizer has the ability to get dissolved and dry the fluid inside, resulting in the death of eggs.
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