Ways To Prevent Cockroaches In Your Home
Like it or not, homes and business properties are ideal breeding grounds for certain species of cockroaches. With plenty of food, warmth, water and nesting sites, these formidable pests can remain active all year round.
You might see cockroaches in a variety of places in your home: pipe holes, sinks, fridges, cupboards, wall cracks, boxes or bins. Nobody likes to see them scurrying around. However, many people regard them as nothing more than a harmless embarrassment. In fact, although cockroaches do not cause diseases themselves, they are a danger to you and your food and do spread germs and bacteria.
Preventing Cockroach Infestation
Eliminate food sources – The most effective way to deter cockroaches is to deny them food, water and shelter. To get rid of them, get rid of what sustains them –
- Do not leave liquids in sinks or buckets
- Do not leave food sitting out on counters
- Store dry foods in tightly sealed containers
- Rinse cans, bottles and plastics before putting them in recycling bins
- Empty the rubbish on a daily basis
Clean – Clear all waste food and liquid spillage, cleaning up food debris from food preparation areas, under sinks and appliances. Remove pet food, drink and litter trays before nightfall.
De-clutter – Cockroaches release an aggregation pheromone in their droppings telling others they have found a safe harborage. Remove old stacks of newspapers and magazines, unused cardboard boxes and all other forms of clutter from the floor or bottom of cupboards where these pests have easy access.
Regular maintenance
Regular maintenance will prevent cockroaches from getting into your home and reduce access to hiding spots.
Pipes and Drains – As already stated, cockroaches are quite fond of damp and moist areas. Because of this when it comes to your home or business they can usually be found near pipes and drains. Regularly checking this area for signs of cockroaches and taking the necessary procedures such as repairing damaged pipes and clearing blocked drains is a good cockroach prevention measure.
Shelves – The cracks in the grains of wooden shelving provide a great hiding spot for cockroaches. Paint or varnish wooden shelves to seal these cracks and crevices. Alternatively, consider replacing your wooden shelves with plastic or metal shelves.
Seal entrances – There are number of places around a property that give cockroaches an easy way in. These are:
- Walls
- Skirting boards
- Electrical sockets
- Under kitchen sinks and bathroom cabinets
Check these areas for cracks and crevices and be sure to seal any that you find.
Health risks of cockroaches
The species of cockroaches that infest our homes are indoor pests that share a close association with humans, feeding on our food and waste. They are serious public health pests and are known to spread germs and illnesses through contamination, meaning everything a cockroach touches has the potential to make you ill. There are a number of very serious health risks that can be attributed to the presence of cockroaches, most of which are associated with food poisoning:
- Salmonella: Cockroaches spread the salmonella bacteria which can be potentially life threatening. Symptoms normally go away within 4-7 days with no treatment, but in some cases the contraction of salmonella can lead to severe dehydration and hospitalisation.
- E. Coli: Cockroaches spread E. Coli, another bacteria responsible for food poisoning which can be life threatening.
- Asthma: The faeces of cockroaches can trigger an allergic reaction in people who suffer from asthma.
HOW TO ELIMINATE COCKROACHES
IDENTIFY PROBLEM AREAS WITH FLASHLIGHT AND GLUE STRIPS
When considering what cockroach control method to use, it is best to first examine your home for possible roach infestation sites. Do this by using a flashlight to search popular roach hiding spots, including behind the refrigerator, under the sink, crevices in cabinets and shelves, closet door corners, bathroom cabinets and closets.
Use roach glue strips to locate large infestations. Based on your flashlight inspection, decide on the most strategic areas to place strips. Monitor those areas for a few days to a week. Strips in high-traffic areas will catch the most roaches, and these areas will need the most treatment.
USE CAULK TO CLOSE GAPS TO PREVENT FURTHER INFESTATION
Traps can be effective in reducing existing roach populations, but they won’t get rid of roaches on the outside trying to break in. To prevent a roach infestation from expanding, use caulk to fill possible entry points, including gaps between walls or tile, small crevices and entry holes. It will also help to use weather stripping on doors and window seals.
PLACE GEL BAIT BAIT STATIONS TO EFFECTIVELY REDUCE ROACH POPULATION
Gel bait can be an effective roach killer. Gel bait usually comes in the form of a tube and can be applied under baseboards, in cracks and crevices, and near areas that are most likely to attract roaches. While gel bait can be effective in getting rid of roaches, it can also result in a number of dead roaches lying around your home.
Another popular method when deciding how to kill cockroaches is the use of bait stations. Bait stations work by attracting roaches into stations to feed on poison. The poisoned roach then travels back to its home location, dies and is eaten by the other roaches, further passing on the poison. Bait stations work partially to get rid of roaches, but do not target all roaches in a home. They also pose an issue because they contain poison and look unappealing when scattered around your home. Some roach hotels only contain glue to trap the roaches, not bait and poison them.
BORIC ACID POWDER FOR ADDED EFFECTIVENESS
Boric acid, a substance found in products like clothing detergent and toothpaste, can be one of the best roach killers. Unfortunately, it is also easily misapplied and subject to displacement by air currents, sending the material into areas where children and pets can come into contact with it. Made by chemically combining boron and water, boric acid is low in toxicity to people and pets but deadly to cockroaches. When used incorrectly, boric acid will lose effectiveness and is not typically recommended as the sole method for getting rid of cockroaches.
Best Ways to Prevent Pest Infestation
How can I keep my home pest free? What is the best way to prevent a pest infestation? Perhaps become common questions that every homeowners need the answers.
When in fact, the best way to control any pest infestation is to prevent it from happening. Below are some preventive actions needed to prevent the pests from invading to your home. Let’s find out!
Clean the home regularly
Since most of the home pests are attracted and comfortable to stay in dirty and unhygienic environment, so cleaning the home regularly are the best way to prevent a pest infestation at home. Any fallen food crumbs and spill of sugary drinks on the floor are undoubtedly attracting pest like cockroach or ants to come in instant. Therefore, cleaning activities such as sweeping, mopping and vacuum cleaning are surely become the easiest thing you can do at home to keep your home clean and pest-free.
Best ways to prevent: ants and cockroaches
Repair all leaking pipes
Plumbing and pest control have a lot more in common than you ever imagine! The leaking pipes at home are leading cause of many pest infestation. Leaky pipes offer standing water to rats, ants and cockroach.
On other hand, termites and leaking pipes are closely linked due to termites fondness for moist living environments. Ensure to fix all leaking pipes at home and actively monitor any erosion or leakages.
Best ways to prevent: ants, cockroaches, rats and termites
Seal up all cracks
Any crevices and holesAny crevices, cracks and holes provide entry points for pests. Even the tiniest of cracks can create possible entries for these pests that are capable of squeezing through. Ants, cockroaches, bed bugs, and rats just need 1 cm to enter your home! Therefore always remember to seal all cracks and crevices by using a caulk to seal up any joints or plaster and patch holes on walls and concrete.
Best ways to prevent: ants, cockroaches and bed bugs
Storage food safely and properly
Places in which food is kept should be absolutely pest-free! Your kitchen and pantry are the place where pests such as ants and cockroaches often take up refuge to find their source of food. Make sure you don’t leave any food out and store it in food safe containers with locking lids stop the movement of these pests approaching to your food.
Best ways to prevent: ants and cockroaches