Summertime means a lot of things for the southern states, but it means a lot for roaches as well. As we start enjoying outdoor activities and eating delicious summer snacks, roaches are gearing up to take part in these activities and to enjoy the leftovers you’ve forgotten to clean up.
While small amounts of food left around the house may not be a major deal in the short term, it can be an immediate attractant for roaches, only increasing the problem if cleanliness in the home is a common issue.
Keep Your Home Clean
The biggest step you can take to prevent roaches from entering your home is to keep it clean. Roaches thrive in dirty, unkempt areas as they are usually stock full of leftover food and crumbs for them to feed on. Keeping areas of your home where food is consumed clean can help control the roach population and prevent them from lingering around your home in search of food.
- Sweep and vacuum often
- Clean up crumbs and spills immediately
- Clean inside cabinets, behind the fridge and under the stove
Control Water Sources & Leaks
For roaches to survive in your home, they need a water source. This is why most roach problems are generally centered on areas where there are leaks or standing water left untreated. By ensuring there are no leaks or water damage around your home, especially in kitchen and bathroom areas, you can help prevent roaches from thriving in your home.
- Fix leaking faucets and pipes
- Repair water damaged structures in your home and attic areas
- Avoid leaving standing water around the home (drain tubs & sinks, empty water buckets, etc.)
Seal Off Entrances to Your Home
Once you’ve eliminated food and water sources, it’s necessary to seal up cracks in your home’s foundation to prevent these pests from entering your home. Roaches, like mice, will enter your home through the smallest cracks, so this can be a very tedious process. Seal up cracks around your home with caulking, and check back on the areas you’ve sealed throughout the year as these sealants will degrade with time and exposure to weather. When sealing off areas of your home, be sure to look for:
- Gaps/cracks around windows and doors
- Gaps in baseboards/crown molding
- Holes or gaps around pipes and drains (both inside and outside of the home)
