If you find cockroaches scurrying across your floor, it’s probably because they’re in search of food, shelter, water and warmth. Unfortunately, most homes provide all of those things for cockroaches. Crumbs, spills, piles of cardboard boxes or stacks of paper bags sweeten the deal.
The sudden realization that these pests are sharing your home can be truly unsettling. That’s why Plunkett’s is here to help. Let’s look at what you need to know about cockroaches, including what attracts roaches and what you can do to prevent them from taking up residence in your home.
What Are Cockroaches Attracted To In Your Home?
The first step to ridding your space of cockroaches is learning what’s drawing them into your home in the first place. Here are four key things that cockroaches are attracted to:
1. Food
Cockroaches aren't picky eaters. Food bits left on dirty dishes in the sink, milk left in the jug after it’s thrown away and crumbs on the floor from dinner are all things that cockroaches would love to have as their next meal.
2. Water
Moisture is a crucial element in their survival. Any source of moisture is a potential lure for cockroaches. From leaky pipes to spills in the kitchen, cockroaches are one of the moisture-loving bugs that love to stick around.
3. Shelter
Cockroaches hide in gaps and crevices in walls as well as within clutter. If you have a pile of cardboard or wood, cockroaches are likely to pick that as their home. Why are cockroaches attracted to cardboard? If it’s wet, the pests get attracted to the smell, and the soft fibers can act as a food source.
4. Warmth
Why does heat attract roaches? While the pests can be present all year round, they truly thrive in warm, humid conditions. Summertime, especially in areas with high humidity, sees a surge in cockroach activity. If your home maintains these conditions, it can inadvertently become a cockroach haven.
How Do Cockroaches Get in Your Home?
You’d be surprised what brings cockroaches into the house. Roaches have an uncanny knack for finding even the tiniest of openings to sneak into homes. Here are many of the secret routes these pests often use, along with the best cockroach prevention tips:
- Cracks and Crevices: Cockroaches can compress their bodies to fit through minuscule gaps. If there are cracks in your home's foundation, walls or around windows and doors, they can serve as perfect entry points for these determined pests.
- Vents and Drains: Your home's ventilation systems and drain pipes, especially in bathrooms and kitchens, can become highways for cockroach invasion. These pests often navigate through sewer systems and can climb up into homes via drains.
- Packages and Groceries: You might unknowingly usher cockroaches into your home. They can hitch a ride inside cardboard boxes, grocery bags, or other packages, transitioning from stores or warehouses directly to your living spaces.
- Used Furniture and Appliances: Buying second-hand items? Be cautious. Cockroaches, and especially their egg cases, can be tucked away in the nooks and crannies of furniture or appliances. Always inspect and, if possible, clean all items thoroughly before bringing them into your home.
- Gaps Under Doors: The tiny space beneath your front or back door, or even your garage door, is more than ample for a cockroach to crawl through. Consider installing door sweeps or thresholds to seal these gaps.
- Utility Lines: Places where utility lines (such as cable, electric, or gas lines) enter your home can sometimes have gaps large enough for cockroaches. Sealing these entry points can be an effective deterrent.
How to Prevent Cockroaches in 7 Steps
The best way to rid your space of cockroaches is to get help from professional pest control. Cockroaches can be extremely difficult to remove, and the last thing you want is to let them spread. However, once your home is roach-free, there are several things you can do for cockroach infestation prevention. Here are seven steps to a cockroach-free home:- Prompt Cleanup: Always clean up after eating. Whether it's doing the dishes or sweeping up the kitchen, immediate action can limit their food source.
- Garbage Management: Dispose of garbage routinely. Ensure your trash cans have tight-sealing lids.
- Moisture Control: Address any plumbing issues promptly, and avoid leaving stagnant water anywhere. Consider using dehumidifiers in particularly damp areas of your home.
- Hide Pet Food: Ensure your pets' food bowls aren’t left out overnight.
- Recycling Hygiene: Before discarding food containers, rinse them thoroughly.
- Home Maintenance: Regularly inspect your home for cracks or crevices and seal them. These tiny openings can be entryways for cockroaches.
- Declutter: A messy home can offer many hiding spots. Regularly sorting through and disposing of unnecessary paper and cardboard can make a significant difference.
The Best Home Cockroach Treatment
No matter how vigilant you are, sometimes cockroaches can still find their way into your space. In such cases, it's crucial to act swiftly. Enlisting the expertise of pest control professionals, like Plunkett’s, ensures the effective eradication of these pests. If you’re experiencing a roach problem in your home, get in touch with Plunkett’s today!
