Using bay leaves is a great way to keep roaches out of the rooms and play area of children. Cockroaches can survive for months without eating, but they need a daily source of water to thrive. Never leave water in the sink, in dirty dishes, or other areas of the house. Check other sources of water as well, such as leaky plumbing, under-refrigerator dampness, and concrete sweating. Wipe all traces of water from the sink after you've done the dishes and wipe down the bath area after use, as well.
Cockroaches naturally gravitate toward areas which are littered with cockroach droppings.
Use a detergent or disinfectant to thoroughly clean the area and deter a re-infestation. On concrete floors and walls, you can use a mixture of bleach and water to disinfect the area. Other services can be cleaned with everyday cleansers or antibacterial soaps and scrubs. Many insecticides are available on the market today which address cockroach infestation concerns. New gel-based cockroach specific insecticides work fast and are relatively effective in cockroach removal.