If you see one cockroach in your house, chances are there are more lurking around, waiting to come out. Roaches will hide in dark corners, reproduce rapidly, and live off of the smallest scraps of food and water droplets. Getting rid of these pests for good takes a comprehensive plan of action that involves removing attractants, denying entry points, and treating hidden nest sites.
Here’s how to approach cockroach prevention and control.
Identify Attractants
Food, moisture, and shelter are the three attractions that cause roaches to invade homes. Kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and laundry rooms are common entry points because they provide food, warmth, and humidity.
Roaches are nocturnal pests, which is why most people don’t realize they have an issue until there are too many to count. Seeing cockroaches out during the day is a sign of overcrowding and means you have a severe problem.
Knowledge of common attractants can help you determine where to focus your prevention strategies.
Know Your Enemy
Believe it or not, there are different kinds of cockroaches that invade homes. Some species prefer warmer areas, while others like it cool. Knowing the types of cockroaches you’ll be up against can help you determine the best course of treatment.
German cockroaches are by far the most common indoor species. They like to hide in kitchens and bathrooms since these rooms have ample food and moisture. German cockroaches breed quickly so if you have them you will likely find multiple colonies spread throughout your cabinets and appliances.
American cockroaches are much larger and typically overwinter in basements, crawlspaces, or other rooms that have sewer line access. Oriental cockroaches like it damp and dark which is why you’ll usually find them in drains and crawlspaces.
Knowing common hiding places allows you to treat more effectively.
Remove Moisture
Dark and damp spaces are ideal environments for cockroaches. Not only do they like it dry out but they can’t survive long without a source of water.
Check underneath sinks, near appliances, and in bathrooms for leaking pipes and areas of standing water. Dry out sinks before bed each night and fix leaks as soon as possible. You can also use dehumidifiers to reduce excess moisture build-up in basements and crawlspaces.
Limiting water sources is a great way to deny cockroaches one of their main needs.
Deny Food Sources
Did you know that cockroaches can live off almost nothing? Three grains of rice will keep these pests alive, and persistent breadcrumbs behind the fridge are easy meals for scavenging roaches.
Keep dry foods stored in sealed containers and clean countertops every day. Vacuum behind and under appliances regularly and take out the trash consistently using sealed garbage cans.
Making food harder to obtain will force cockroaches to relocate or fight for resources.
Seal Entry Points
Roaches can squeeze through the tiniest gaps. Common entry points include gaps around doors, windows, plumbing wires, and utility lines. Cracks in foundation walls, floors, and interior walls allow them into your home and provide access to secluded hiding spots.
Use caulk to seal small cracks and holes. Fill large gaps with expanding foam, then install door sweeps and replace damaged screens to keep roaches out.
Pay extra attention when sealing kitchens, bathrooms, and areas with utility lines that run through wall cavities.
Use Baiting Strategies
Roach baits are one of the best treatment options available because they target nests instead of just spraying for visible insects. Gel baits and bait stations should be applied to dark areas where roaches roam such as behind the refrigerator, under sinks, and near baseboards.
Roaches will ingest the bait then return to their nests and die. Other cockroaches will feed on the carcass and eventually ingest the poison themselves.
This targeted approach is much more effective than spraying everywhere.
Use Residual Products
You can greatly reduce the chances of a re-infestation by using residual pesticides as well as insect growth regulators (IGRs). Residual insecticides will kill adult roaches while IGR’s treat larvae and stop eggs from developing.
Applying residual sprays and IGR’s around entryways, common pathways, and other high-traffic areas can help you create a barrier that will continue working for weeks to come.
Professional pest control services like Vinx Pest Control typically use these methods combined with sanitation and exclusion for the best results.
Go Natural if You Prefer
If you don’t want to use sprays there are natural alternatives. Boric acid and food-grade diatomaceous earth work very well when applied in hidden areas.
Boric acid doesn’t kill cockroaches right away but after they ingest it and groom themselves, the poison will make them sick and unable to function. Diatomaceous earth causes bodily damage to insects that leads to dehydration.
Both of these methods are most effective when used in combination with sanitation and exclusion.
Maintain your Home
Prevention is the best weapon for long term control. Always check for roaches behind appliances, underneath sinks, and inside cabinets.
Place sticky traps strategically to help you identify activity levels over time. Regular cleaning, maintenance, and monitoring are the keys to never having to deal with roaches again.
Call the Professionals
Most DIY methods can’t reach into wall voids, insulation, or plumbing. Cockroaches reproduce quickly, so if you continue to have issues after trying DIY methods, it might be time to seek professional help.
Vinx Pest Control offers customized cockroach control and prevention for your home. Our technicians will identify problem areas and take the necessary steps to eliminate current activity and prevent future infestations from occurring.
We’ll even come back and treat your home again if needed for the best possible results.
Don’t let cockroaches make themselves at home in yours. Call today to learn more!
Will cockroaches ever go away?
Like with most pests, cockroach control doesn’t end after the pests are gone. Through regular inspections you can catch activity early and prevent large infestations from taking over.
Use sticky traps to monitor for continued activity. Place them behind appliances, under sinks and inside cabinets where you’ve previously noticed cockroaches.
Prevention is the key to keeping roaches from invading your space year after year.
Summary
So there you have it! Removing excess moisture and food, sealing your home, and using the right kinds of bait will eliminate cockroaches for good.
Persistence and action are necessary when dealing with roaches. The quicker you take care of the problem, the better chance you have of avoiding future infestations.
You can live pest-free and keep your space cleaner and safer for you and your family year-round!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I keep getting cockroaches?
Several factors can contribute to recurring cockroach problems. You may not be using the right kinds of treatment methods, there could be hidden nests surviving inside your walls, or you still have attractants like food and moisture available.
What kills cockroaches the fastest?
Roaches can be killed quickly by using the right combinations of baits and pesticide treatments. Sanitation and exclusion methods are the most effective ways to get rid of roaches for good.
How long can cockroaches survive without food?
Roaches can go for months without food but will die within a week of having no access to water.
Can cockroaches really get into homes without doors?
It is highly unlikely, but cockroaches can fit through extremely small gaps. Common entry points include spaces around windows, pipes, wiring, and plumbing fixtures.
When should I call a professional exterminator for cockroaches?
If cockroaches continue to return after you’ve tried different DIY methods, spread to multiple rooms or sources, or are particularly active, it’s time to call a professional exterminator.