6 Ways To Prevent Roaches From Getting Into Your House

For renters and homeowners alike, thinking of a cockroach infestation is enough to cause panic. Unfortunately, where there is one cockroach, there are usually a lot more. There are a few different types of cockroaches that love the moist, warm air of Florida, mostly being the German cockroach and the American cockroach. When it comes to dealing with a cockroach infestation, prevention is the best policy. Our pest exterminators at Champion Termite and Pest Control, Inc. are here to teach you how to prevent roaches in your home.

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Clean The Kitchen

Roaches are not picky eaters and are known to eat a little bit of everything. This makes it important to make sure that your kitchen is clean and that your food is properly disposed of. An often overlooked part of the kitchen area are pet dishes. Your pet’s favorite food is also a cockroach’s favorite, so make sure to rinse out their food bowls after each meal. Also, make sure that any traces of food that have been stuck on appliances like toasters or refrigerators have been cleaned off and carefully examine your cabinets and pantry to ensure that all food was properly sealed.

Identify Problem Areas & Use Glue Traps

When figuring out how best to handle cockroach control, carefully inspect possible infestation sites using a flashlight. Problem areas will typically include behind the refrigerator, under sinks, and bathroom cabinets. Based on what you find with your flashlight, you can place glue traps accordingly to handle larger infestations. By carefully monitoring these traps, you can see the most popular place in your home for cockroaches and accurately pinpoint where an exterminator should treat for roaches.

Place Gel Bait Stations

Gel bait is often found in a tube and can be put in cracks and crevices, along with underneath baseboards. These can be useful to kill roaches but can also leave copious cockroach carcasses around your house. Another popular way to get rid of cockroaches is to set up bait stations, which are also placed in high-traffic areas and contain insecticide. However, these could be toxic to young children and pets, so make sure that you follow the instructions on the package.

Keep The Food In The Kitchen

Creating a habit of storing uneaten food in the fridge and cleaning used dishes can help keep roaches out of your home. Late-night snacking can lead to more crumbs outside of dining areas, and therefore cockroaches can creep outside of the kitchen in search of these crumbs. Make sure to sweep and mop the kitchen floors regularly to keep them free from food residue, and double-check for any fallen food under tables and chairs. The smells from your trash can also attract roaches, so make sure that the lid is on tight and that bags waiting to be thrown out are double-knotted.

Seal Cracks Around Your home

Caulking any possible entry points, such as little cracks in your walls or ceilings or any narrow hard to reach places, can make it almost impossible for roaches to sneak through. For larger holes or gaps, you can use steel wool or foam, especially around pipes. For bigger openings, such as around a chimney or attic vent, using a fine wire mesh to create a barrier can help prevent roaches from making their way inside. Weatherstripping your windows and doors can also be beneficial in the prevention of indoor roaches.

Apply Treatments To Repel Roaches

For a do-it-yourself approach, boric acid and roach traps can be used to get rid of a cockroach infestation. You can also spread coffee grounds around the foundation of your home, as the acidity of the grounds repels cockroaches. Be wary of how these at-home treatments may impact animal or child health before applying!