Tips to have a Roach-Free Zone

Cockroaches are a common household pest that can be found both out and indoors, these pests cause food contamination and the odor that emits from them is foul smelling and sicking. When a cockroach shows up at your doorstep it is not necessary because of a sanitation issue although these conditions can draw roaches like a magnet but other factors may be involved which we will be discussing. What does the cockroach population look like?

There are several estimates given of the vastness of the roach population, one estimates an alarming figure of “10 to 50 billion cockroaches worldwide” Of that number 30 species of cockroach are associated with human habitats. Some of these roach species include American cockroaches, German cockroaches,  Oriental cockroaches, Wood cockroaches, Brown-Banded cockroach ·

Once a roach is discovered take quick action to eliminate it because cockroaches can multiply quickly creating an infestation that may be a challenge to manage, by putting the proper practices in place will help to reduce and bring an end to their infestation.

What Causes the Presence of Cockroaches

A Food Source

When roaches like other insect pests and rodents show up is a sign they are in search of a food source, once they find a continual food supply they will set up house or should I say a camp in your home. It’s very important then to always thoroughly clean all areas where foods are prepared and consumed. The kitchen countertops, stovetop, microwaves, sinks, behind and on the sides of your stove, and fridge, every trash can should have a lid that fits tightly. Outside ensure that the garbage storage area is raked up and clean of all food particles. Trash cans should be in good order with tightly fitted lids.

Fix Leaky faucets

Roaches will seek out moisture that’s why all leaky faucets both indoors and outdoors must be repaired, outdoors remove all standing water that is collected in containers from rainfall remember mosquitoes are also attracted to standing water and will lay their eggs under these conditions. Containers outdoors that collect water should be turned over, and placed in a secure area where they will not collect water for example a shed or a garage or disposed of. Some garden plants are known to collect water in the center cups. Make sure to remove water from the center cup or replace the plants, even your yard may have uneven spots, sinks, or holes where water collects filled these areas with and or soil.

Clutter

This is one of the highlights of rodents and insects and that is clutter, these pests seek out these areas for protection, rest, eat, and to reproduce. In other words, roaches see clutter as a haven, reducing or creating a clutter-free environment will discourage the presence of roaches. It is best to declutter your outdoor as well as your indoor living space. Cockroaches love clutter such as cardboard boxes, paper products, food wrappers, dirty clothing, old newspapers, etc…

HitchHiking

Roaches are famous for hitchhiking and will seek to enter your home this way, before bringing boxes indoors inspect first, second-hand furniture is also known to harbor roaches. Plants brought from a nursery or a garden center should be inspected also. Inspect containers, grocery bags, shoes, etc… there are so many ways these hitchhikers get indoors.

Other Ways Cockroaches Enters Apartments and Building Structures

Roaches can enter apartments and go from one unit to the next through the sewer drain in the basement, the ventilation systems, plumbing pipes, utility lines, small holes, cracks in the foundation, and openings where electrical and plumbing pipes enter the building. Under doors, torn screens, broken window frames. Tree limbs and other vegetation should not make contact with the building because roaches will use these conditions as a bridge to get onto the structure followed by seeking an entry point.

8 Common Places that Roaches will Hide once Indoors

Here are a few places to inspect if you suspect that you have a roach issue.

• In the bathroom
• Baseboards
• Under the kitchen sink
• Furniture
• Cabinets
• Ceilings
• Pipes
• Crown moulding
• Electronics
• Kitchen appliances and behind them
• Cracks and crevices
• Water drain

What are Signs of Cockroach Infestation

• Visibly seeing them crawling round
• You may see their eggs of feces
• A foul odor
• You might find their nest
• You may see the bodies of dead roaches
• You discover their shed skin
• You may hear roaches crawling around, especially among paper products
• You may also come across fragments of their exoskeletons.

Contact the Landlord or the Property Manager

Call your landlord or the building manager and let them know of the issues you’re having with roaches, a professional company can be brought in to properly manage and control roach infestation because if it’s German roaches they reproduce pretty quickly and their population can get out of control if quick action is not taken. These roaches can be hard to get rid of.

Methods for Roach Control

Seal Entry Points

Seal entry points such as cracks and crevices, holes where pipes run from outdoors indoors.

Liquid Pesticides

Liquid pesticides are contact sprays that will kill roaches on contact or impair the roaches’ reproductive system, nervous and respiration systems even affecting their growth such as the use of growth regulators.

Baits

Baiting is another effective method to roach control, as roaches feed they will excrete, and they will scatter their droppings from place to place. Because of this other roaches will come behind and eat their droppings, that have the bait. Baits should be scattered throughout the entire area where roaches are seen or suspected.

Boric Acid

Boric Acid will get rid of your roach issue but be very careful because boric acid is slightly toxic and should not be used if kids and pets are present. A very fine dust of boric acid can be placed in cracks and crevices, on the floor behind appliances, and cabinet edges. Don’t use boric acid in electronics or kitchen countertops.

Glue Traps

These boxes are sticky attracting and trapping roaches which is ideal for replacing chemicals in the home.

Hand Dusters

Apply insecticide dust in areas where roaches are seen for example underneath appliances such as washers and dryers, wall-out outlets, wall voids, and behind baseboards, cabinets, and cupboards.

Spray Mixture

Spray outdoors along the perimeter of the home in a wide band extending about 3 feet up the siding and 3 feet onto the lawn.  Pay close attention to door frames, windows, and other point of entry.

Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is organic non-toxic and is a great way to control garden insect pests and other crawling insects this naturally occurring substance makes DE a must-have. Diatomaceous earth is a type of powder made from the sediment of fossilized algae found in bodies of water, such as streams, and lakes. rivers, and ocean beds. The cells of these algae were found to be high or have an abundance of a compound called silica. The dried sediment that is produced from fossils is said to be rich in silica. Place DE in Cracks and Crevices where roaches are seen, as roaches walk through the powder and ingest will damage the roach’s exoskeleton that will cause loss of water followed by dehydration

Warning

Avoid inhaling diatomaceous earth because it can irritate your nasal passage, inhaling large amounts may cause shortness of breath or coughing. DE may also cause eye irritation, skin dryness, and irritation. For the best results follow the manufacturer’s direction.

Conclusion

Roach infestation can be brought to an end by following this guide, the presence of roaches is a sign that there are conditions that are favorable to them. Besides giving off a foul odor roaches are disease-carrying and should be treated once spotted. This guide will help you to bring control to these pests.