Contrary to popular belief, you can probably find cockroaches in the most pristine of residences. Old pizza boxes and left over food aren’t the only reasons roaches enter the home, but just an added bonus. What most people don’t know is that they are the ones who “invite” the critters inside! These pests are extremely adaptable to their surroundings and some can be resistant to prevention methods.
The more you know about cockroaches, the better you can prevent them from invading your home.
Entry
Cockroaches can enter your home in a variety of ways. They can jump into grocery bags, backpacks or briefcases without you even realizing. They are able to slip through cracks, pipes, open doors or windows no matter how big or small. If they go unnoticed, your home is the idea place for them to lay eggs and multiply, inevitably causing an infestation.
Survival
Being very minimalistic creatures, they only need warmth, food, water and very little space to survive. They reproduce quickly, and you can probably find nests behind hanging picture frames, under sinks and even behind walls. Chances are if you’ve seen one, you haven’t seen them all.
Signs of Infestation
Cockroaches are typically nocturnal. Seeing a few during the day could be a possible sign of severe infestation. There’s a higher likelihood that the daytime spottings mean they were forced out of the dark spaces due to overcrowding.
Unknown Causes
With allergy season in full swing, there’s no need for more irritants. The debris created by dead roach bodies, droppings and shed skin can further aggravate allergies. Be sure to conduct a full sweep of your home to avoid further allergy problems.
Prevention
There are multiple ways to rid your home of roaches and prevent them from returning. Roaches are attracted to paper products such as stacks of newspaper, cardboard boxes and paper bags, so start by eliminating them from your home. If you notice they reappear in specific areas, such as the kitchen, confine any fresh fruits and veggies to air tight containers and maintain a high level of cleanliness. Be sure to remove all dirty dishes from the sink, sweep and vacuum regularly, and even wipe up the smallest amount of grease on your stove and oven.
If you still struggle with ridding the roaches, turn to pest control. Pesticides like sticky traps, baits and boric acid should do the trick. However, depending on the type of cockroach, some insecticides could take up to a week to yield results.
Cockroaches are better at hiding than you are at finding them. Some over-the-counter insecticides can naturally protect cockroach eggs and nests. While poisons and pesticides are good temporary fixes, your local pest control company will provide a quick, effective and permanent solution.
Not every infestation is the same. Be sure to contact a pest control expert to discuss options and tips to combat your unique situation.
