Sure, you might find an insect or two in your home from time to time. Insects are common in warm climates and it isn’t unusual for them to seek shelter and water from inside your home. However, there’s one insect you never want to find in your home: the cockroach.
In most situations and depending on the type of cockroach it is, one normally means there are many others lurking behind your home’s walls. Upon the first cockroach sighting, you need to start thinking of how to get rid of cockroaches. You want to stop cockroaches as soon as possible to prevent a large infestation, but how?
There are several different ways to free your home of cockroaches, so it’s important to know your options and take advantage of all of them. Continue reading to learn more and get rid of those roaches ASAP!
Detecting Roaches
The first step to removing cockroaches from your home is knowing when they’re there. Cockroaches are most active at night, so they may go unnoticed by some homeowners. However, there are a few signs to be on the lookout for.
Roach Droppings
Cockroaches will eat throughout the day and leave their droppings behind. Droppings typically look like coffee grounds or black pepper. Their droppings are small and difficult to spot if you’re not looking for them.
Roach Eggs
Cockroaches will also leave their egg capsules behind. These capsules are easy to spot since they’re much larger than the droppings. They’re dark brown in color and can hold up to 30 nymphs.
Preventing Roaches
Once you realize you have a cockroach problem, it’s time to start putting a plan into action. Don’t waste any time. Start taking the necessary steps to remove and prevent roaches from taking up residence in your home.
Remove Standing Water
One of the reasons why insects will enter your home is to find water. If you leave out any form of standing water, then it will attract cockroaches. It’s best to only leave standing water out when needed and then remove it otherwise.
Do a quick survey of your home. Do you see any areas with the potential to hold water? Make sure to make corrections to these areas.
For example, you’ll want to dry out the sinks each night and place a cover over the drain. You should remove pet water bowls while asleep at night and replace them with fresh water in the morning. Remove any standing water from in or under house plants and refrigerator drip pans.
Last, check your entire home for signs of a water leak. Even the smallest leak should be repaired.
Maintain a Clean Environment
It’s also important to maintain a clean environment. Cockroaches can take up residence in anyone’s home, clean or not for a variety of reasons. However, the cleaner your home is, the less likely it is to attract cockroaches.
A clean environment limits the number of food crumbs, water, and hiding places. You’ll want to complete all of your regular cleaning tasks, such as wiping up spills as soon as they happen, wiping down counters, sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming. Then, you’ll want to conduct a few extra cleaning tasks as well.
Make sure to always clean out the toaster after each use, you should also deep clean your microwave to keep it today as well. Keep a lid on your garbage can and wipe it down as needed. Last, don’t forget to move kitchen appliances (both big and small) and clean under them.
Get Smart With Food Storage
Now it’s time to take a look at your food storage situation. How do you currently store your food items in your pantry and cabinets? When cockroaches have access to food, they’re more likely to stick around.
When you remove this access, you eliminate a major food source for them. You can do this by upgrading your food storage. Rather than using clips, transfer all dry food items into containers with airtight lids.
This will be all of your cereal, chips, grains, and sugar. Place your produce and bread inside your refrigerator rather than leaving them out on the counters.
Inspect and Seal Entry Points
A good way to prevent cockroaches from entering your home regardless of what the environment’s like on the inside is to inspect and seal all entry points. Any openings around pipes can be sealed with fine mesh copper wool. Cracks or holes along the baseboards or in the walls should be sealed with caulk.
Any damaged window screens should be repaired or replaced. Take a walk around the outside of your home as well. If you notice any possible access points, then you’ll want to seal these up as well.
Adjust Your Home’s Temperature
Cockroaches thrive in warm climates, as do most insects. As you might notice, there’s a significant decrease in the number of insects you see in the winter or in cold environments. A good way to prevent cockroaches from thriving in your home is to adjust your home’s temperature.
Keep your home as cool as possible to ward them off.
Contact the Professionals
The last prevention tip we have for you is to get in contact with professionals. Professional cockroach termination in Ranchero Cordova will eliminate cockroaches from your home and help you prevent them by setting traps and using other professional prevention methods.
Taking prevention steps on your own at home is a necessity, but when an infestation has already begun and has gotten out of hand, you won’t want to waste any time bringing in professional pest control services.
Do You Know How to Get Rid of Cockroaches?
If you happen to spot one crawling in the night, will you know how to get rid of cockroaches? Make sure to follow the advice given in the guide above to prevent cockroaches from entering your home. Then, call the professionals.
Results Pest Control specializes in cockroach removal. Our experience provides us with the knowledge we need to understand cockroach activity to not only remove them from your home but prevent them from coming back as well.
Request a quote today to say goodbye to cockroaches for good!