Finding a cockroach scurrying through your home can be unnerving. These pests have been around for many years, and they are definitely a nuisance. When cockroaches invade your house, you’ll want a quick and effective solution. We’ve gathered information to help keep cockroaches out of your home.
What Attracts Cockroaches?
Cockroaches head indoors looking for food, moisture, and shelter. From meat and bread to paper and pet food, these pests will eat practically anything they come across in your home. Crumbs, spills, and dirty dishes can attract cockroaches. These creepy crawlies also like damp environments, so leaky pipes and wet towels can cause them to stay in your house. Once inside, cockroaches look for shelter. Clutter, furniture, and cardboard boxes can be a safe place for these pests to hide.
Where Do Cockroaches Nest?
Cockroaches will settle down in areas of your home that are near moisture and food. They are often found in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements. They can squeeze into cracks and crevices. They like to hide in cabinets, behind appliances, under furniture, and in cardboard boxes. Some species of cockroaches like to spend time outside. If they are living in your yard, you are likely to spot them under porches and in mulch, woodpiles, leaves, and decaying matter.
How to Prevent Cockroaches
No one wants cockroaches in their home, which is why it’s important to pest-proof your space. Check out a few tips to prevent cockroaches from invading your house.
- Seal Cracks & Gaps: Cockroaches can easily slip into homes through small holes. Sealing these entry points will help to prevent an infestation. Check for and seal any cracks and gaps in walls, near doors and windows, and in your home’s foundation. Repair or replace torn window and door screens. Ensure weather stripping and door sweeps are in good condition.
- Remove Food Sources: Cockroaches aren’t too picky when it comes to food, and they have no problem eating your leftovers. Vacuuming and sweeping regularly can help remove crumbs. Clean up spills and make sure there isn’t a sticky residue. Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink. Store your food in sealed containers.
- Reduce Moisture: Most cockroaches are drawn to areas with moisture. Reducing moisture build-up in your home can help keep these pests away. Repair leaky pipes and faucets. Eliminate standing water in your yard. Using a dehumidifier or fan in damp areas of your house can help to minimize moisture build-up.
- Eliminate Clutter: Eliminating potential hiding spots is a great way to deter cockroaches. Items in your house can act as shelter, so keeping things clean and organized is key. Remove magazines, paper, and other items where cockroaches can hide. Cockroaches like cardboard boxes, so store your items in plastic bins instead.
Why Is It Hard to Get Rid of Cockroaches?
Cockroaches aren’t always the easiest pest to kick out of your home. These pests feed on a variety of things and can easily hide in small cracks and crevices. Their adaptability can make it difficult to eliminate an infestation. Since cockroaches reproduce quickly, infestations can become quite large. In homes, they have few predators to help control their growing populations.
How to Get Rid of Cockroaches
If you find cockroaches in your home, you’ll want a simple and effective solution. Sprays, dusts, and baits can help keep cockroaches away.
- Plant-Based Insecticide Sprays: If cockroaches are in your home, you can use a plant-based insecticide spray to get rid of them. Our Ant & Roach Killer is made with plant essential oils. It kills cockroaches on contact and provides residual repellency. This can help to keep cockroaches out of your home.
- Plant-Based Insecticide Dusts: Dusts are another effective solution against cockroaches. Our Spider & Insect Dust can be applied in areas where cockroaches have been seen. You’ll want to make sure you apply it in cracks and crevices since cockroaches like to slip into these small areas.
- Baits: When dealing with a cockroach infestation, bait can help you keep your home pest-free. Our Roach Killer Gel Bait attracts and kills cockroaches. It’s designed to allow cockroaches to consume the bait and return to the nest where other cockroaches will be exposed to it. Place bait in areas where you have seen cockroaches. This usually includes kitchens, basements, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and garages.
How Long Does it Take to Get Rid of Cockroaches?
Cockroach infestations vary from house to house. Several things can affect how long it takes to eliminate an infestation. Two factors include the species of cockroach and the size of the infestation. The time it takes to identify a problem and then act can also affect timing. In general, cockroach infestations take anywhere from a couple of days to a few weeks to eliminate. Keeping up with prevention methods and consistent treatments is key to getting rid of these pests.
Making your home as unwelcoming as possible will help to keep cockroaches away. Take time to eliminate sources of food, water, and shelter. If cockroaches or other pests are bugging you, we’re here to help! Check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products for a more environmentally and family-friendly solution.