Why you have cockroaches
Cockroaches need three things: warmth, water and food traces. In most South African homes that means behind the fridge or stove, under the sink, inside the dishwasher seal, in drain openings and in the gaps behind kitchen cupboards. If you see one during the day, the population is already established — they are nocturnal and only come out in daylight when the harbourage is crowded.
Step-by-step treatment
- Clear the kitchen: food, dishes, pet bowls and toothbrushes off the counters and out of the way.
- Deep-clean first. Wipe grease off skirting, behind the stove and under the fridge with a multipurpose cleaner — spray sticks better to clean surfaces and food traces keep roaches breeding.
- Spray Gosh Cockroach Killer directly into cracks, hinges, cupboard corners, behind the fridge and stove, around drain openings and along skirting boards.
- Treat the bathroom too — drains, behind the toilet cistern and under the basin.
- Close the room and leave it for a few hours. Ventilate before using the kitchen again.
- Sweep up dead roaches daily for a week; leaving them attracts more.
- Re-treat after 7–10 days to catch the newly hatched generation. This second round is the step most people skip and it's why infestations come back.
Keeping them out permanently
- Fix dripping taps and dry the sink at night — roaches survive weeks without food but only days without water.
- Store mielie meal, sugar, rice and pet food in sealed containers.
- Take rubbish out nightly and keep the bin lid closed.
- Seal gaps around pipes, skirting and behind cupboards with silicone.
- Keep drains flushed and clear — a blocked, greasy drain is a roach highway.
- Wipe crumbs from under the toaster and stove weekly.
Safety around children and pets
- Spray into cracks and gaps, not across open surfaces.
- Keep children and pets out of the room until it has aired.
- Wipe down food-preparation surfaces with a clean, damp cloth before use.
- Never spray near open flames or into electrical sockets.
Gosh Cockroach Killer — A fast-acting cockroach spray for kitchens, cupboards, drains and skirting — targets the cracks where roaches actually live. Order now on the Gosh portal →
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get rid of cockroaches?
You will see a big drop within 24 hours, but plan on two to three weeks with a follow-up treatment after 7–10 days to break the breeding cycle.
Why do cockroaches keep coming back after spraying?
Almost always because the eggs survived, the harbourage was never cleaned, or there's a water source. Re-treat after ten days and remove moisture and food traces.
Is cockroach spray safe to use in a kitchen?
Yes, when applied into cracks and crevices rather than food surfaces. Clear food away, ventilate afterwards and wipe counters before preparing food.