10 Tips for How to Prevent Cockroaches

No one likes roaches, but how do you prevent them? Everyone detests the cockroaches and wants them to be dealt with swiftly and permanently. These insects have survived unchanged for millions of years. Cockroaches were rumored to have survived atomic bomb tests in Nevada. Be that as it may, cockroaches have been present virtually everywhere for longer than we have and they seem determined to stay.

Cockroaches aren’t just a nuisance; they can be bad for your health

How to prevent cockroaches like this dead cockroach on the floor

Sadly, the cockroach is one bug that can be hazardous to your family’s health. That is why it is so vital that you know how to prevent cockroaches before they get in. Roaches are known to carry diseases, germs and bacteria and have also been linked to asthma and allergies. Thus, it is wise to take every possible step to prevent a cockroach infestation because once they are entrenched, it’s almost impossible to completely remove them.

Where do Cockroaches come from?!

Cockroaches normally live outdoors, but can make themselves quite at home in your walls, under refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, under kitchen sinks and anywhere else they can hide. Normally, cockroaches stay well out of sight until after lights out, when they emerge to search for water, crumbs of food, and other edibles. It is also not uncommon to turn on the lights and open a kitchen cabinet in the wee hours, only to be met by cockroaches crawling over things inside your kitchen cabinets. These bugs will eat just about anything, and by allowing crumbs, water (especially dripping water pipes), pet food, and other things, to be open and accessible, you are inviting an infestation.

How to prevent cockroaches, and keep them AwaY?

Just like with rats, a clean home is the best way to keep cockroaches at bay. It’s a good idea to sweep up the kitchen floor before going to bed to be certain there are no loose crumbs lying about to attract them. Don’t forget to close any open trash bags under your kitchen sink as well.

What’s the worst type of roach?

German Cockroach

The German cockroach is the worst type of roach, and is found all over the US. Once you get these, they are especially hard to get rid of; it might take several treatments spaced close together to completely exterminate them. This particular variety drinks a lot of water, so sponge up any standing water in the kitchen sink, and don’t leave out dirty dishes with scraps of food stuck to them after you go to bed. If you have a leaky pipe, be sure to get it fixed as soon as possible, because even the smallest thing like this can draw the cockroaches. If you deny roaches the food and water they’re looking for, you are taking a major step toward avoiding an infestation.

Can’t I just move somewhere else to escape the roaches?

Little Girl Playing in a moving box

More than one person has moved to escape a cockroach infestation that just couldn’t be eliminated. But moving might not be the answer, you might just pack up the roaches in your moving boxes and take them with you! If you know how to prevent cockroaches, you’ll be one step ahead of them. To prevent that, keep a can of pesticide on hand and spray them immediately if you spot any, or you’ll bringing the critters with you to your new house or apartment. Moving is expensive, so do all you can to make sure no roaches made the trip with you to your new home.

10 Tips to prevent cockroaches:

  • Be certain to store food in tightly-sealed containers or in your refrigerator.
  • Sweep floors and wipe down kitchen counters every night before bed.
  • Never leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight, or any bowls or plates filled with water.
  • Take out all garbage every night. Make sure kitchen trash receptacle is sealed.
  • Use caulking to seal up any small cracks in walls, baseboards, around pipes and anywhere else cockroaches might gain entry or hide.
  • Make sure you have weather stripping around doors and windows. This will keep cockroaches from coming in from outside.
  • Fix all leaks and keep areas under sinks clean and dry.
  • Clean up piles of clutter everywhere in the house, but especially in the basement, and anywhere close to the kitchen.
  • Spray roach killer frequently under sinks, in the basement, and under and around the refrigerator, washer and dryer. These are favorite cockroach hiding places.
  • Use roach bait, in addition to an insecticide, to control a cockroach population.

Exterminators, and other professionals, believe that controlling a cockroach infestation also requires the addition of bait or dust insecticides which are available in spray cans. A spray or aerosol mist that has pyrethrum or some other flushing agent is effective because it will easily penetrate into crevices and cracks. This material does not actually kill cockroaches, but it can make them come out into the open where they will come into contact with a residual surface spray or dust poison that is lethal. Baits usually work very well to control a cockroach population when used after, and in addition to, an insecticide. We recommend that homeowners install a reasonable number of baits, and place them in places where roaches live, such as under sinks, in basements and in crawl spaces.

No more Cockroaches!

Of course you’re going to follow these tips carefully, you’ve taken the time to read the whole article! Now comes the hard part, making sure not only you, but everyone in your household, also follows these recommendations. If everyone does their part, your home should be clean and roach free. If you need help eliminating those pests before you start your prevention plan, we offer guaranteed pest control service. Call us at 803-359-2774, or request pest control service on our website.

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