Having roaches in your home is more than an embarrassing problem that prevents you from inviting people, but it is a health risk to you and your family. This is because cockroaches infest food and in doing so, they leave behind waste containing bacteria such as salmonella, which can be harmful to health. Additionally, roach infestations have been linked to allergies and asthma in children.
Due to these horrible risks, it is important that you apply an appropriate pest control method to ensure that the cockroach does not become a permanent host in your home. Cockroaches are nocturnal creatures that don’t like to be seen (hence the scattering when the lights are turned on). If you can spot a roach during daylight, you can be sure there are more hiding in the dark that you can’t see.
Roaches are naturally drawn to the environments in which they are most comfortable. This will include areas that have a water source, a food source, and dark places to hide, that is, your kitchen or pantry. However, there are certain approaches one can take to make your home uncomfortable for roaches and more satisfying for you.
Cut essential supplies
By fixing a leaky pipe or a leaky sink, you will help not only conserve water, but also shut off the water supply to roaches. Eliminate your food source by making sure no open food containers are easily accessible in your cupboards or pantry. Place pantry staples like pasta, cereal, nuts, and baking staples in airtight containers. Quickly dispose of food crumbs from remaining dirty countertops, trash cans, floors, and dishes.
Cut your entrance
You can get rid of roach hiding places and entry points by sealing cracks and crevices where roaches are believed to enter your home. Use weather stripping and caulking to block these nooks and crannies.
Beyond prevention
If you are experiencing a full-blown roach infestation, you will need to apply more than simple preventative measures to get them out of your home. Cleaning definitely helps, but roaches are persistent and can live a month or more without food, so don’t expect them to leave because the kitchen was clean overnight. In the case of cockroaches, traps are often needed to ensure that they are completely exterminated.
Traps Baited traps are beneficial because they attract the roach rather than relying on the insect to trip over the trap. Sticky traps work well too, giving you clues to major infestation locations so you can focus on a specific area of the house. Roaches mostly travel in dark places and close to walls, so locating the traps in the general travel area is your best option to catch them on the sly.
Chemical products. Chemicals can be used, but mostly as a last resort, especially if the infestation is in your kitchen. You don’t want to risk poisoning food or surfaces where food is prepared. Always read the label before using any chemical and be sure to avoid using it in places that can be accessed by children or pets. Boric acid is a pest control chemical that many use because roaches do not develop immunity to it in the same way that they do to other poisons. Boric acid dries out roaches instead of poisoning them.
By using the pest prevention methods outlined above and contacting a pest control expert if the situation gets out of your control, you can make your home livable again for you and your family, and livable for roaches.