Cockroaches are among the most commonly found pests in homes and businesses. They can be difficult to get rid of once they’re established, but there are a number of things you can do to prevent infestations in the first place.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Regular pest inspections are important for preventing infestations and avoiding costly repairs. |
| Cockroaches can pose health risks and should be eliminated promptly. |
| Different species of cockroaches have different preferences and behaviors. |
| Natural remedies like rose geranium oil can be effective for repelling ticks. |
| Homeowners can take steps to prevent pest problems between inspections, such as keeping a clean home and sealing cracks. |
Here are some tips on how to keep cockroaches out of your home:
Find A Pest Control Professional
If you find the right professional, they can help you avoid or eliminate cockroaches. A good pest control professional should:
Be licensed and certified by the State of California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR).
Be experienced at treating cockroaches. It’s not unusual for a young employee to be sent out by a company that doesn’t know what they’re doing; if this happens, simply ask them to call another company for assistance with your treatment.
Have positive reviews from customers who have used their services before—and don’t forget to check those reviews on Yelp!
It’s easy to tell whether or not a technician really knows what she’s doing just by reading some of these testimonials from other people in similar situations as yours.
Offer warranties so that if there is ever an issue with the service provided by her company, it will be taken care of without additional charge (although we hope that won’t happen!).
Did you know that cockroach infestations can have serious health consequences? Learn about the dangers of cockroach infestations and how to prevent them in our article on the Dangers of Cockroach Infestations and How to Prevent Them.
Clear Clutter From Your Home’s Exterior
Clear clutter from your home’s exterior. Cockroaches need three things to thrive: food, water and shelter. If you can remove the first two, then cockroaches will be less likely to come inside your home in search of them.
Keep your home’s exterior free of clutter by clearing away leaves and branches from around windows and doorways (cockroaches can squeeze through very small spaces), trimmings should not be left on the lawn for long periods of time, as this gives cockroaches more places to hide during inspection visits by pest control professionals).
Make sure you have a clear path to the front door so that exterminators can easily enter without having to step over or move other items aside first (this also prevents any injuries caused by tripping over uneven surfaces).
| Items to Remove | Reason |
|---|---|
| Old cardboard boxes and piles of paper | Can serve as a home for pests, like rodents and roaches |
| Unused and damaged furniture | Can provide hiding spaces for pests |
| Overgrown vegetation | Can serve as a breeding ground for pests and provide easy access to your home |
| Standing water | Can attract mosquitoes and other insects |
Eliminate Food Sources
It’s important that you eliminate any food sources for roaches in your home. Keep all food sealed and don’t leave pet dishes out for long periods of time, as this will attract them.
The same goes for garbage be sure to dispose of it promptly, especially if it’s been sitting outside overnight.
If you do have a cockroach problem in your kitchen, make sure there aren’t crumbs on the counter or spills on the floor; cleaning up after yourself helps prevent an infestation from happening.
Finally, don’t leave food out at night if possible, put away any leftovers before going to bed so that roaches don’t come out looking for an easy snack!
Cockroaches are a common household pest, but they can also carry diseases and trigger allergies. Find out how to get rid of cockroaches in your home with our comprehensive guide on 15 Effective Ways to Get Rid of Cockroaches in Your Home.
Repair Cracks, Crevices And Leaks
Cockroaches can fit through very small openings, making it important to repair cracks, crevices and leaks.
Cockroaches are excellent climbers and will often find their way into homes through cracks in the foundation or lower levels of the home.
They also hide in wall voids, cabinets and other small spaces. Since they tend to seek out dark areas with high humidity, frequently occurring pests should be suspected if you notice water stains or mold around plumbing, drains or window frames.
Kitchen counters are another prime location for cockroach infestation because food is typically left out overnight at room temperature.
This creates an ideal environment for roaches to breed quickly. If you’re seeing signs of cockroaches around your kitchen sink (such as persistent droppings) then it’s likely that there is some type of leaky pipe nearby which provides them with access into your home!
Get Rid Of Garbage Regularly
The most important thing you can do to keep cockroaches away is to get rid of any garbage (food or otherwise) that might be attracting them.
- Don’t let your garbage sit outside for long periods of time.
- Don’t leave food in your car, as it will attract roaches! They can also chew through plastic bags and cardboard boxes if they need to get inside.
- If there are snacks left lying around the house, it’s just going to draw more roaches into the home. The best prevention technique we have found is “cleanliness”. It’s simple: don’t leave food lying around anywhere in the house or outside where they can find it easily.”
Not all cockroaches are created equal – some species are more commonly found in homes than others. Learn about the most common species of cockroaches found in houses and apartments in our article on The Most Common Species of Cockroaches Found in Homes.
Keep Food Sealed
Cockroaches love food. They’re omnivores, so they’ll eat almost anything (and I mean anything), but they prefer fresh, greasy, starchy foods. It’s best to keep all of your food stored in the refrigerator or freezer and sealed tightly.
If something is going to spill or get crumbs on it, put it in a plastic container with a lid before storing it away. Keep all dishes washed and dried immediately after you use them; never let dirty dishes sit around for long periods of time.
Store dry goods like flour, sugar and other baking ingredients in airtight containers as well as coffee grounds and tea leaves if possible (some pests are attracted to these). Roaches also love dog food try keeping your pet’s bowl inside if possible!
If there’s any room where you’ve been storing food (such as a pantry) that isn’t sealed off from the rest of your house yet doesn’t have an obvious source for roaches (like garbage cans), consider taking out some traps until those walls are fully sealed off from entry points into other parts of your home.
| Types of Food | Tips for Properly Storing |
|---|---|
| Dry goods (cereals, pasta, etc.) | Store in sealed glass or plastic containers |
| Pantry items (flour, sugar, etc.) | Keep in airtight containers |
| Fruits and vegetables | Store in the refrigerator or other cool, dry place |
| Pet food | Store in sealed, metal containers to prevent rodents from gnawing through plastic bags |
Inspect Furniture Before Bringing It Into Your Home
If you’re going to buy furniture, it’s important to examine it before bringing it into your home. Here are some things to look for:
Signs of infestation. If there are cockroaches in your home and they’ve taken up residence in your sofa, chances are good that they’ve found their way into other parts of the house as well. Look for droppings on the inside and outside of furniture pieces and check underneath cushions for them too.
Signs that furniture has been treated. Many companies will sell products that can help repel roaches from cracks and crevices around your home, including couches or chairs!
You might want to consider purchasing these products if you’re looking at buying secondhand items instead of new ones (just make sure they’re safe!).
Check labels on pillows or blankets too; sometimes these contain insecticides which prevent pests like roaches from crawling through them!
When it comes to cockroach control, there are natural remedies and chemical pesticides to choose from. But which is the best option? Our article on Cockroach Control: Natural Remedies vs. Chemical Pesticides breaks down the pros and cons of each method to help you make an informed decision
Seal Windows, Doors And Other Openings
Seal windows and doors.
- Use caulk to seal cracks and crevices where cockroaches can enter the home.
- Use weatherstripping around doors to prevent pests from entering through gaps.
- Use a door sweep at the bottom of exterior doors that are exposed to weather conditions like rain, snow, wind and sun; this will keep pests out of your home by preventing them from crawling under the bottom edge of your door.
Clean Up Crumbs And Spills Immediately
If you see a cockroach, don’t panic. Cockroaches are common in homes and businesses, but they can cause problems if they get into your food or home.
To get rid of cockroaches:
Clean up crumbs and spills immediately. Cockroaches like to eat crumbs and spills, so clean up any clutter regularly to avoid attracting them. If there is an open bag of sugar on the kitchen countertop, for example, place it in a sealed container or use a plastic bag with holes punched through it so that only the amount needed can be accessed at any given time.
Also make sure foods are wrapped up properly so as not to leave any open spaces where these pests could enter your house through openings around doors or windows; this includes things like cereal boxes being left open for long periods of time!
You may consider using traps such as those made by Combat® brand also – but remember that if you do this type of trap you will need another type next month because they’re not meant for continuous use (just prevention).
Finally – vacuum! This will help remove any stray particles left behind by roaches after they’ve been crushed between floorboards etcetera…
Vacuum Regularly
You should vacuum regularly. The best way to do this is with a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter. This will help keep the cockroaches from getting into your home and spread any diseases they have.
You should also make sure you vacuum the floor, furniture, bedding, and curtains in your home on a regular basis.
If you are unsure how often you need to do this or how much effort it takes then consult an expert who can help answer any questions that arise along the way!
Ticks can be a major nuisance for homeowners, but chemical pesticides aren’t always the best solution. Instead, consider using rose geranium oil as a natural tick repellent. Learn more about this effective treatment in our article on The Secret to Eradicating Ticks Naturally with Rose Geranium Oil.
Store Pet Food Securely
To help prevent cockroaches from infesting your home, you should also store pet food securely.
- Keep pet food in airtight containers or resealable bags.
- Store the pets’ food in a dry place and away from moisture, such as sinks or bathtubs.
- Don’t leave pet food out overnight or during the day for long periods of time — less than an hour is ideal so it won’t attract roaches.
Don’t Leave Pets’ Dishes Out For Long Periods Of Time
Cockroaches are attracted to the food and water that pets leave behind. Cockroaches are also attracted to pet food, so it’s important not to leave their bowls filled with food for extended periods of time.
- Wash dishes regularly
- Don’t leave dishes out overnight or if you’re going away for a long period of time (or any other time you’ll be away from home)
Check Boxes When You Bring Them Into The House
It’s a good idea to check your house for cockroach activity prior to bringing them into your home. You can do this by putting on some rubber gloves and slowly opening the door, looking for signs of the critters.
If they’ve been there before, they will know where food sources are kept and where water sources are located. Check those areas carefully before bringing any new pets home.
In addition to checking specifically for evidence of roaches (and other insects), it’s also important that you look around the outside of your house for cracks or holes that may have allowed pests access in the first place.
These pests often find shelter inside walls or under floors where we don’t generally think about checking regularly until after an infestation has started forming!
Conclusion
You can’t prevent cockroaches from entering your home, but you can work to keep them out. Regular inspections and treatments will help you prevent infestations, as well as treat existing ones before they get worse.
The first step is finding a pest control professional who has experience with treating roaches. Then, you should take steps to eliminate food sources and repair cracks in your home’s exterior so that there are fewer places for roaches to hide during treatment.
Further Reading
If you’re interested in learning more about the importance of regular pest inspections and control, check out these informative articles:
Reasons Why Regular Pest Inspection is Necessary: This article outlines several compelling reasons why homeowners should schedule regular pest inspections, from protecting their property values to avoiding expensive damage repairs.
Why Regular Pest Inspections are Essential: This comprehensive guide to pest inspections covers everything homeowners need to know about the process, from what to expect during an inspection to how often they should schedule one.
The Importance of Year-Round Pest Control: This in-depth article explains why year-round pest control is so important, even during the winter months when pests might seem less active.
FAQs
What is a pest inspection?
A pest inspection is a thorough examination of a property, typically conducted by a licensed pest control professional, to identify any signs of pest infestation or damage.
How often should I schedule a pest inspection?
Generally, it’s recommended that homeowners schedule a pest inspection once a year to ensure early detection and treatment of any pest problems. However, if you live in an area with high pest activity or have a history of pest problems, more frequent inspections may be necessary.
What are some common pests that can be found during an inspection?
Some common pests that can be found during a pest inspection include termites, ants, cockroaches, rodents, bed bugs, and fleas.
What happens if a pest infestation is found during an inspection?
If a pest infestation is found during a pest inspection, the pest control professional will work with the homeowner to develop a treatment plan to eliminate the infestation and prevent future pest problems.
How can I help prevent pest problems between inspections?
There are several steps homeowners can take to help prevent pest problems between inspections, such as keeping a clean and clutter-free home, sealing up any cracks or openings in the home’s exterior, and keeping food stored in air-tight containers.
Hello! I’m Hellen James, and I write about how to keep pests from invading your home. For the last 10 years, I’ve been working in pest control and am excited to share my expertise with you!
