Like all pests, cockroaches are drawn to certain conditions when they are in search of food and shelter. Once a cockroach problem is present in the home it can be difficult to get it under control. home it can be difficult to get it under control.
Luckily, there are several things you can do on your own to make your home less inviting to these unsanitary fiends in the first place!
1. Check for Standing Water
A reliable water source is essential to survival for cockroaches. While they can go an entire month without food, they can only live without water for one week. Check in and around your home for standing water. It is good to start by looking under sinks, in storage areas like the garage, and in the kitchen.
2. Clean Dishes Daily
As tempting as it may be to leave the dishes in the sink for just one night, it can be a strong attractant for cockroaches. Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink for extended periods of time to avoid this.
3. Mind the Counter
All counters, especially the kitchen counter should be kept dry and free of food or debris. Never leave fruit on the counter and always keep other unrefrigerated foods in sealed containers.
4. Look for Crumbs
Although cockroaches can eat quite a bit, they would not turn down a few crumbs if given the chance. One commonly overlooked cockroach food source is the crumbs and food debris found in and around appliances. Toasters, waffle irons, blenders and toaster ovens should be cleaned out and wiped down regularly.
5. Keep a Clean Floor
Sweep, mop, and vacuum all floors regularly, this includes underneath the refrigerator and stove if you can access it. Also, wipe down baseboards and cabinets on a fairly regular basis.
6. Trash Control
Keep trash in closed trash containers while inside the home and take out regularly. Cockroaches feed on filth and love to hang out in stinky trash cans.
7. Look for Entry Points
Cockroaches can enter the home in several ways, often traveling in through sewage pipes. Screening off all pipes leading into the home is a great prevention method. Be sure to check for, and seal up, any other gaps or holes around the home that could lead inside. scratching at walls or acting erratic in a certain area of the home, it could be a sign of rodents. Make a note of where they exhibit this behavior, it is great information to provide a pest technician when they inspect your home.
