When bugs invade your home, it’s not always easy to get them to leave. Cockroaches are an especially tricky pest to remove from your house. Understanding why these pests are formidable opponents can make it easier to control an infestation. Check out why it’s so hard to get rid of cockroaches and how to overcome these obstacles.
Cockroaches
There are over 4,500 species of cockroaches in the world, but only about 30 of these species live around humans. These pests vary in size and color, but they all have a flat, oval body. Cockroaches move quickly and can live indoors or outside. Since they aren’t afraid of scurrying across decaying matter and in sewers, these pests can contaminate surfaces they walk on in your home. The five main cockroach species you’ll encounter include American, German, brown-banded, oriental, and smokybrown cockroaches.
Why is it Hard to Get Rid of Cockroaches?
Once cockroaches settle into your home, it can be difficult to eliminate an infestation. Check out what gives these pests an advantage.
Adaptability: Cockroaches are adaptable. They can squeeze into tiny spaces and are willing to hide in many places. These pests will eat a variety of things including pantry items, meat, grease, cardboard, book bindings, and other pests. They have an amazing sense of smell and taste, which means they can easily find food sources. Their ability to find food and stay hidden helps them to survive.
Quick Breeders: These pests breed quickly, which can lead to large infestations. On average, one female cockroach can produce 128 eggs. Cockroaches are excellent hiders and if an infestation goes unnoticed, they will keep multiplying. Even if you only notice a few cockroaches, there’s a chance more cockroaches are hiding in your home. It can be difficult dealing with a large infestation.
Resiliency: Cockroaches have enzymes that protect them from toxic environments and substances. They also have a strong exoskeleton that can protect them. These pests can live for a week without water and a month without food. They can also live for a week without their head. These pests are resilient, making it hard to eliminate an infestation.
Resistance to Conventional Pesticides: These creepy crawlies are continuing to develop more and more resistance to commonly used conventional pesticides. For example, a 2019 Purdue University study found that the most common type of cockroach, the German cockroach, is developing a resistance to multiple insecticides including those on which exterminators rely. As these cockroaches reproduce, the new generation of cockroaches also showed signs of resistance.
How to Get Rid of Cockroaches Naturally
Though these pests can be tricky to eliminate, there are effective strategies for getting rid of them. We’ve made a list of tips to help you keep your home free of these creepy crawlies.
- Keep Your Home Clean: Cockroaches won’t be quick to leave if they can find something to eat. Clean up crumbs and spills. Store food in airtight containers. Keep your trash covered and remove it daily.
- Minimize Moisture: Many cockroaches are attracted to moisture. Repair leaky faucets and pipes. Make sure your bathroom fans are working properly. Keep your basement and other areas prone to moisture build-up dry.
- Seal Entry Points: Cockroaches can slip into tiny spaces. Check the exterior and interior of your home for cracks, gaps, and holes. Install screens over gaps where utility cables and pipes enter your home.
- Remove Clutter: Keep your garage and basement free of empty boxes, stacks of magazines, newspapers, and other clutter. This will remove potential hiding spots and food sources.
Green Pest Control Products
Good sanitation and preventative measures can help to deter cockroaches, but sometimes you need some extra help. Green pest control products can help you fight an infestation.
Plant-Based Insecticide Sprays
Our plant-based Ant & Roach Killer aerosol spray is an effective solution for spot-treating the cockroaches you see. To kill cockroaches, you’ll need to spray them directly. The spray’s residual properties can also help to prevent cockroaches. You can spray entry points to create a protective barrier that helps to keep cockroaches out of your home. It’s important to note that you don’t want to use sprays near bait or dust applications.
Roach Killer Gel Bait
When dealing with an infestation, baits are a great option. Our Roach Killer Gel Bait is designed to attract and kill cockroaches. It’s formulated using Abamectin, which is derived from soil microbes and effective at eliminating cockroaches. These pests eat the bait and return to the nest. As these cockroaches die, other cockroaches will eat their carcasses, exposing them to the bait. This will help to eliminate the nest. You can apply bait in cracks, cervices, voids, other inaccessible areas, and on non-exposed surfaces such as under furniture and behind appliances.
Insecticide Dusts
Dusts are another solution for cockroach problems. Our Bed Bug Killer uses the power of naturally derived silicon dioxide, as amorphous silica, to desiccate cockroaches, bed bugs, and other pests. Dusts can be applied in cracks and crevices, behind cabinets, and in areas where you have seen cockroaches or signs of their activity. Dusts offer a longer-lasting solution, since they remain effective for up to ten years when undisturbed.
How Long Does It Take to Get Rid of Cockroaches?
It can take a few days to a few weeks to eliminate a cockroach infestation. The larger the infestation, the longer it will take to completely kick these pests out of your home. Preventative measures and consistent treatment are key to making these creepy crawlies feel unwelcome in your home.
It’s not always easy to remove cockroaches from your house. These pests can be challenging, but having a plan in place will make it easier to eliminate an infestation. If cockroaches 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.