# Roaches and cocoa

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roaches-and-cocoa/929466>\
**Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\
**Created:** [January 1, 2021, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roaches-and-cocoa/929466 "2021-01-01T21:18:10Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\
**Post date:** [January 1, 2021, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roaches-and-cocoa/929466/1 "2021-01-01T21:18:10Z")

</div>

Here:

> **[What’s the best way to kill cockroaches?](https://www.straightdope.com/21341208/what-s-the-best-way-to-kill-cockroaches)**

Cecil suggests: _Calm yourself and pay attention to your Uncle Cecil. There are two proven approaches to dealing with la cucaracha : (1) borax, and (2) arson. Assuming your landlord objects to the latter line of attack, hie yourself down to the basement and mix up the following recipe: 4 parts borax, 2 parts flour, and 1 part cocoa powder._

Why the cocoa powder? Why the flour even? Borax is just a cheaper version of Boric acid, which I think may work better.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2021, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roaches-and-cocoa/929466/2 "2021-01-02T00:22:48Z")

</div>

> [@DrDeth](#):
>
> Why the cocoa powder? Why the flour even?

Bait?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2021, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roaches-and-cocoa/929466/3 "2021-01-02T00:23:55Z")

</div>

> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#):
>
> > [@DrDeth](#):
> >
> > Why the cocoa powder? Why the flour even?
> 
> Bait? -

Death By Chocolate. Literally.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2021, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roaches-and-cocoa/929466/4 "2021-01-02T05:11:06Z")

</div>

> [@running\_coach](#):
>
> Death By Chocolate. Literally.

That is way too much trouble to go to for roaches.

> **[Death by Chocolate Cake - Baker by Nature](https://bakerbynature.com/death-by-chocolate-cake/)**
>
> This Death by Chocolate Cake is for SERIOUS chocolate lovers only! Featuring three layers of moist chocolate cake, chocolate fudge sauce, chocolate frosting, and chocolate chips, this cake is a chocolate lovers dream come true! Death by Chocolate...

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2021, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roaches-and-cocoa/929466/5 "2021-01-02T05:12:46Z")

</div>

Do roaches even have arteries to get filled with gunk? 🤪

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\
**Post date:** [February 4, 2021, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roaches-and-cocoa/929466/6 "2021-02-04T21:20:44Z")

</div>

> [@DrDeth](#):
>
> Why the cocoa powder? Why the flour even?

> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#):
>
> Bait?

[While refined flour deceives the roaches as a food item, the aromatic cocoa powder instantly draws the roaches closer.](https://www.fabhow.com/get-rid-roaches.html)