Podcast Summary: The Wirecutter Show – "How to Get Rid of Ants and Roaches for Good"

Release Date: July 23, 2025

Introduction

In the July 23, 2025 episode of The Wirecutter Show, hosts Christine Cyr Clisette, Kyra Blackwell, and Rosie Guerin delve into the unwelcome world of household pests—specifically ants and roaches. Building on previous episodes about mice, rats, mosquitoes, and ticks, the trio seeks expert guidance to provide listeners with effective strategies to eliminate these persistent invaders permanently.

Personal Experiences with Ants and Roaches

The hosts kick off the discussion by sharing their personal encounters with pests in New York City apartments, highlighting the universal struggle of urban dwellers with infestations.

• Rosie Guerin recounts a harrowing experience: “Meet a friend over who came out of our bathroom white as a ghost and she was, like, trembling, said that she found a giant roach on the head of one of our toothbrushes. I thought we were never going to see her again. That's horrible.” ([00:47])

• Christine Cyr Clisette adds her perspective: “I've had them, but not like roach infestations. I've never had that problem.” ([01:39])

These anecdotes set the stage for a deeper exploration of pest control measures.

Expert Insight: Interview with Doug Mahoney

To provide authoritative advice, the hosts invite Doug Mahoney, Wirecutter’s senior staff writer specializing in home improvement and pest management, to share his expertise. Doug’s extensive experience ranges from combating pests on his hobby farm in New Hampshire to testing various bug repellents.

• Kyra Blackwell introduces Doug: “If you're a regular listener of the show. You probably already know Doug, and you might also remember that he lives on a hobby farm in New Hampshire where he has combated rats in his barn...” ([02:40])

Understanding Ant and Roach Infestations

Doug begins by clarifying the behavioral differences between ants and roaches, emphasizing that while both are problematic, their methods of infestation and survival differ.

• Christine Cyr Clisette queries: “Is there any kind of difference in how you approach that with ants versus cockroaches?” ([09:07])

• Doug Mahoney responds: “Not really. You want to just see that, really... If you see carpenter ants, ... call a pest control operator.” ([09:16])

He highlights key signs of infestation, such as trails of ants or roaches hiding in cracks and crevices, and stresses the importance of early detection.

Steps to Combat Infestations

Doug outlines a four-step approach to tackling ant and roach problems:

1. Observe and Identify
   Understand what you’re dealing with by locating where the pests are entering and nesting.

   • Doug Mahoney: “First, you want to observe and identify the bugs...” ([08:26])

2. Clean Up
   Maintain cleanliness by sealing food sources and eliminating crumbs, which are primary attractions for these pests.

   • Christine Cyr Clisette: “...keeping things clean in your entire home is kind of key here, right?” ([14:02])

3. Seal Entry Points
   Use heavy-duty caulk, preferably silicone, to fill gaps and cracks around the foundation and other entry points.

   • Doug Mahoney: “...take some heavy duty caulk and just kind of fill the hole as best you can.” ([15:32])

4. Use Bait Traps
   Implement bait stations tailored for ants or roaches to effectively reduce the pest population.

   • Rosie Guerin summarizes: “...use a bait.” ([16:14])

Bait Traps and Their Effectiveness

Doug elaborates on the use of bait traps, explaining their mechanism and recommending specific products.

• Mechanism: Bait traps combine food with slow-acting poison. Ants collect the bait and share it with the colony, eventually reaching the queen, while roaches share the bait through cannibalism or other means.

  • Doug Mahoney: “A bait is a mixture of food and a slow acting poison...” ([18:01])

• Product Recommendations: The team favors products from Taro, noting their high efficacy in field tests.

  • Doug Mahoney: “We like the ones from Taro... it's highly, highly effective.” ([20:02])

He also discusses the importance of placing bait stations strategically along baseboards and areas where pests are frequently seen.

Common Myths and Misconceptions

The hosts address several myths surrounding pest control:

• Survival Without a Head: Contrary to popular belief, cockroaches can live without their heads for up to two weeks.

  • Doug Mahoney: “It's a couple weeks.” ([06:30])

• Radiation Resistance: While cockroaches are often thought to be highly resistant, a Mythbusters study revealed that flower beetles outperformed them under extreme radiation, with cockroaches showing no survivors at 100,000 rad units.

  • Doug Mahoney: “No cockroaches made.” ([07:52])

Alternative and Natural Remedies

The conversation touches on non-toxic solutions like essential oils and diatomaceous earth, with Doug expressing skepticism about their long-term effectiveness compared to bait traps.

• Christine Cyr Clisette: “...it’s supposed to be one of those natural remedies that keeps ants and roaches away.” ([27:46])

• Doug Mahoney: “Essential oils... their effectiveness does not last very long. Diametaceous earth can be very effective... but it's just sort of a messier option.” ([28:10])

When to Call a Professional

Despite DIY measures, there are instances when professional intervention becomes necessary. Doug advises not to hesitate in seeking professional help if initial efforts fail.

• Rosie Guerin: “...call someone for help.” ([32:08])

• Doug Mahoney: “Once a couple baits are out, I'd monitor them for a couple weeks... Don't be afraid to just call it quits and call a pest control operator.” ([30:07])

Interactive Segment: "Would You Rather?"

In a light-hearted segment, the hosts engage Doug with pest-related "Would You Rather?" questions, further humanizing the discussion and providing comedic relief amidst the gritty subject matter.

• Christine Cyr Clisette: “Would you rather eat chocolate covered roaches or chocolate covered ants?” ([30:35])

• Doug Mahoney: “Chocolate covered ants, yeah, they're smaller.” ([30:53])

Conclusion

Wrapping up the episode, the hosts reinforce the importance of a systematic approach to pest control: identify, clean, seal, and bait. They encourage listeners to implement these strategies diligently and to seek professional help when necessary to ensure a pest-free home.

• Christine Cyr Clisette: “I now know that if I see one cockroach, it's a problem.” ([32:19])

• Kyra Blackwell: “I'm just gonna get some bait traps for roaches and ants just to be safe...” ([32:45])

The episode concludes with humor and camaraderie, leaving listeners both informed and entertained on tackling one of household’s most persistent nuisances.

Notable Quotes:

• Doug Mahoney [00:27]: “Roaches love, and this is a phrase used in the pest control world, is cracks and crevices. So a roach is extremely happy if they have their feet on one surface and their back is against another surface.”

• Doug Mahoney [06:30]: “It's a couple weeks.”

• Rosie Guerin [22:46]: “...that’s when it’s time to call a pro.”

• Christine Cyr Clisette [28:10]: “So if you are dealing with bugs, you want to do what we talked about in the first part of this episode.”

This comprehensive discussion equips listeners with the knowledge and tools necessary to effectively combat ant and roach infestations, underscoring The Wirecutter Show's commitment to providing practical, expert-backed advice for everyday challenges.