Not sure how to get rid of cockroaches? You’re not alone. Cockroaches are one of the most common household pests in the world.
On average, roaches can range anywhere from one-half to 3 inches long. The three most common cockroaches in the United States are the German, Oriental and American roach. Different roaches can be attracted to your home for different reasons. Knowing the type of roach you are dealing with can help when deciding how to get rid of them. For instance, the most common roach found indoors is the German roach. The German roach needs food and water. Reducing access to food and water sources in your home can help reduce a roach infestation.
There are plenty of other prevention methods as well, such as daily cleaning and proper food storage, to prevent an infestation. But how do you get rid of cockroaches once they have already entered your home?
Roaches enter homes in search of food, water and shelter. Once they have infested an area, they can multiply quickly, posing a threat to your comfort and health. It is important to get rid of cockroaches before an infestation occurs. Roaches are known to carry bacteria that can result in food poisoning, diarrhea, allergies and skin rashes. In large numbers they can also produce a foul odor.
Before deciding how to kill roaches in your home, it is best to develop a plan. The most effective roach control for pests typically requires more than one type of treatment method.
HOW TO ELIMINATE COCKROACHES
IDENTIFY PROBLEM AREAS WITH FLASHLIGHT AND GLUE TRAPS
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 traps to locate large infestations. Based on your flashlight inspection, decide on the most strategic areas to place glue traps or monitors. Monitor those areas for a few days to a week. With most cockroaches, traps or monitors can indicate a high-traffic area, which indicates places where treatments should occur.
USE CAULK TO CLOSE GAPS TO PREVENT FURTHER INFESTATION
Traps can help you identify where roaches are traveling and capture some of the population, but they won’t get rid of roaches on the outside trying to break in. To prevent roaches from getting in, use caulk or another sealant to fill possible entry points, including gaps between walls or tile, small crevices and openings around faucets or utility penetrations. It will also help to use weather stripping on doors and window seals.
PLACE GEL 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. Boric acid dust is often added to gel baits for effectiveness, but it’s important that it’s used correctly and the label instructions are followed, or it will likely be ineffective in reducing cockroach populations. 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 are placed in high-traffic areas where roaches are likely to run across them and interact with the insecticide. The roach then travels back to its home location, dies and is eaten by the other roaches, further passing on the insecticide. Bait stations work partially to get rid of roaches, but do not target all roaches in a home. Bait stations need to be placed in areas not accessible to children and pets, and the label must be followed for best results.
CLEAN TO REMOVE THINGS THAT COCKROACHES NEED
As mentioned before, cockroaches need food and water. So by practicing regular sanitation in your home, removing trash, cleaning grease and food debris daily after using your kitchen and making sure to not leave dirty dishes around your home, you can help keep cockroaches away.
PEST MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL
Hiring a Terminix specialist to treat a roach infestation provides you with peace of mind, offers a proven and effective approach to getting rid of cockroaches and provides an ongoing solution to cockroach control. It also eliminates the need to have traps scattered around your home.
