Cockroaches are by far the most annoying pests that you can face as a homeowner. In addition to being an eyesore, cockroaches are carriers of dangerous bacteria that could contaminate your food and cause illness. They’re also quite hardy and can survive through most eradication attempts.
That’s why we decided to get some expert advice from a pesticide applicator and entomologist for effective tips on how to get rid of roaches.
Whether you’re only dealing with a few roaches or have a growing family of them festering in your cabinets, we’ve got a simple cockroach pest control guide for you that actually works!
“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. – Winston Churchill
Find the Problem Area
There are over 40,000 different types of cockroaches spread out all over the world, but the US mostly has two main species, namely American cockroaches and German cockroaches.
The main issue with cockroaches is that they carry harmful salmonella and E. coli bacteria which they can contaminate your food with and cause illnesses. So, you should definitely get on top of an infestation before it gets out of hand.
If you’re having a hard time getting rid of roaches or don’t know where they’re coming from then you’ll probably need to hire a professional roach exterminator to help you out. But keep reading to learn how to prevent roaches yourself!
Get Rid of Bread Crumbs
Cockroaches need a source of food in order to survive and are willing to live off of whatever is available. It can be from crumbs, debris, or even unopened food items.
- One of the first things you need to do is clean up any crumbs, leftovers or spilled food. This includes things like an opened cereal box, which can be a reliable food source for cockroaches for months on end.
- You should wash your dishes as soon as you’re done eating, and avoid leaving unwashed dishes anywhere.
- Look behind your appliances and cabinets as well to make sure that there are no crumbs or food debris that cockroaches could nibble on while you sleep.
- Check behind the fridge, since this is where roaches like to hide as it’s a nice warm spot that makes it a perfect breeding ground for them. Also, most people don’t clean behind the fridge so they see it as the perfect place to stay in order to avoid getting disturbed.
- Keep all of your garbage in lidded bins with tight-fitting lids and be sure to take it out frequently. Don’t leave any leftover food, gunk, grease or residue on the bottom of the trail pail.
While this will eliminate all possible food sources for cockroaches, they can still hide for months without food just waiting for you to slip up, and this is where the following section comes in.
Eliminate Hiding Places
The next thing that roaches need in order to survive is a place to live. They typically like to hide (and live) in cardboard boxes and paper stacks.
That’s why you should get rid of any unused paper stacks that are just gathering dust, or cereal boxes that are just sitting on a corner.
The best way to get rid of roaches is to clean up your space and remove any and all hiding places for them. This will prevent them from coming back because there will be nowhere to hide.
Bait the Roaches
In addition to keeping the house clean and making sure your sanitation game is on point, there are other measures that you need to take in order to keep roaches at bay.
One of these is leaving out bait for them. This is different from pesticide spray because it won’t contaminate your cupboards and appliances with harmful chemicals.
There are plenty of safe and effective cockroach bait products to try out if you want to do it yourself.
Seal Every Entry Point
The problem with roaches is that they have versatile bodies that can flatten and slip into the smallest of holes and cracks in your cabinets. That’s why you should seal any and all gaps present in your doors or windows.
You can use things like steel wool, clear caulk, and door guards, for example, to take away the easiest entryways for cockroaches. Roaches can get in through the tiniest of spaces, so if you can see daylight streaming through your door, then you should look into sealing it otherwise the roaches will use it as a way to come in.
It’s important to note that roaches love things like old furniture, deliveries, and groceries, so you should always inspect everything before you bring it into your house.
For instance, you might receive an Amazon package while you’re at work and only take it in when you get back. This is more than enough time for cockroaches to scuttle in.
Get Rid of Them As Soon As Possible
Let’s face it; no-one wants to live with cockroaches. They are disgusting creatures that bring nothing but dirt and disease.
Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed our guide on how to keep roaches away and will apply these tips to keep your home roach-free.
Call a roach exterminator to get rid of cockroaches once and for all. Request a free quote today!
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