Cockroaches have this unique ability to instill both disgust and fear in our hearts. Generally speaking, the moment a human sees one, we’re immediately thinking about the methods we can use to get rid of roaches.
A roach infestation is one of the most aggravating things you may face. As they look for food, these tenacious pests will create their homes in your kitchen, bathroom, and other areas of your house. Unfortunately, they are able to transmit illnesses since they reproduce quickly.
Keep on reading to learn all about how to get rid of roaches. We’ll cover the common species of roaches in the U.S. and even why they decided to grace you with their presence in the first place.
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The Most Frequently Encountered Cockroaches
The German cockroach and the American cockroach are the two most frequent species of roaches found in the U.S. These two species are the most probable ones you’ll have to deal with.
After all, the ways of pest control change slightly depending on the kind of roach you’re hoping to get rid of.
German Cockroaches
Size-wise, German cockroaches are between the sizes of 1/2″ and 5/8″. Even in a state like California, this is the most prevalent cockroach species on the planet. The two black, parallel stripes on their backs make it easy to identify them.
Infestations are likely to be discovered in both household and commercial kitchens because they thrive in warm, humid areas where food is readily accessible. Getting rid of them might be challenging, so having a professional exterminator on your side is a good idea.
American Cockroaches
One-half to two-inch-long American cockroaches are the most frequent of the domestic roaches infesting homes. Roaches with a figure 8 pattern on the rear of their heads are often reddish-brown in color. However, this species has wings that let it fly for very brief periods of time.
They may also bite, but unless the area gets infected, their bites are harmless. If you observe cockroach droppings in your home, you may have a problem with American cockroaches. The ridges on the edges of these little droppings give them away.
Why Do I Have a Roach Infestation?
Any roaches in your house, no matter what sort they are, should be removed immediately.
Additionally, roaches may cause allergies, transmit illness, and create an unpleasant living environment, so it’s important to get rid of them as soon as possible.
First and foremost, it’s important to know what’s drawing roaches to your home in the first place.
A few of the most prevalent culprits are listed below, including the following.
Food and Shelter
Roaches are omnivores, which means they’ll consume just about everything. In addition to carbohydrates, they like fatty foods and meats. Dirty dishes in the sink, crumbs on the counter, or pet food on the floor can entice them.
Also, cockroaches seek sanctuary in houses. With the right species, you could find roaches hiding under the backs of your devices, behind picture frames, or within hollowed-out wood.
Inhabitable Locations
“Why do I have roaches in my clean house?” is a common question. We’re on board. In the event that you’ve taken precautions to prevent typical attractants and are still experiencing roach problems, it might be aggravating.
Unfortunately, roaches have a preference for certain sites. It doesn’t take much for a cockroach like the American to get into your home if there is a breach in the window seal or a door that has been left open.
In addition, water is essential for life, and roaches will infiltrate even the most hygienic dwellings in search of it. Common drawbacks include leaking pipes and faucets.
How to Get Rid of Roaches
A thorough inspection of your house is the best way to determine which cockroach-control strategy is suitable for your situation. If you’re looking for roaches, use a flashlight to look in common hiding places like the refrigerator, behind the sink, cabinet and shelf gaps, and the corners of closet doors and closets.
Glue traps may be used to find huge roach infestations. Determine the best places to deploy glue traps or monitors based on your flashlight examination. For a few days or a week, keep an eye on those places. Of course, you can always leave it to the professionals, so check out more details here.
In most cockroach infestations, traps or monitors may show where there is a lot of activity, pointing to potential treatment sites. Now, you can actually implement roach elimination strategies.
Close Any Nooks and Crannies Using Caulk
Some of the roaches can be caught by trapping them, but they won’t completely free your home of roaches on the outside that are attempting to come in.
You may prevent roaches from entering your home by caulking or sealing any probable access spots, such as gaps between walls or tiles and around faucets or other utility penetrations, using caulk or another sealant like silicone. Weatherstripping may also be applied on door and window seals in order to keep out the cold.
Use Gel Bait Stations
Roach gel bait is a potent insecticide. Gel bait comes in tubes and may be placed beneath baseboards, in cracks and crevices, and in other locations where roaches are prone to congregate, such as kitchens and bathrooms.
The efficiency of gel baits is sometimes enhanced by the addition of boric acid dust, however, this should only be done according to the label’s recommendations.
Otherwise, it will be useless in lowering cockroach numbers. While gel bait might be efficient in eradicating roaches, it can also leave behind a large number of dead roaches. Bait stations are another common approach for killing cockroaches.
Eliminate Anything Attractive to Cockroaches
Cockroaches need food and water, as previously stated.
Cockroaches may be kept away from your house if you practice regular cleanliness, such as collecting garbage, cleaning oil and food waste from your kitchen after each use, and not leaving dirty dishes about.
Getting Rid of Roaches: Simplified
No one wants to wake up and discover that they have a roach infestation on their hands. Yet, no matter how clean your home may be, these smart crawlies can have a knack for getting into places that they have no business being in.
Hopefully, our guide has shed some light on how to get rid of roaches. And, if you’re hungry for more tips, you can check out our other strategies and advice in our home improvement section.