Commercial and Residential Pest Control Services | Dodson Bros. Exterminating Co., Inc.
While it’s true that cockroaches will infest anywhere that has accessible water and food sources, keeping them away from your home or business isn’t that difficult. Cockroaches are called a “filth pest” for good reason: they are attracted to waste and decomposition. So they will be less likely to infest a location that is clean and sanitary. Here’s what you need to know about preventing cockroaches.
Cockroaches love to crawl through trash to find food, and they’re often found in dumpsters or inside large trash cans. This is one reason why it’s so important to prevent them, since they can pick up and transmit many harmful diseases. One of the best ways to prevent cockroaches from getting near or inside your home is to regularly dispose of all forms of trash and waste. Keep trash cans with closable lids in your kitchen, and regularly take trash loads to the dump or to the curb for pickup. If cockroaches are allowed to get into trash, they will breed rapidly and cause bigger problems.
Since the kitchen is one of the most common places to find cockroaches, it’s a good idea to regularly clean off and sanitize all surfaces and regularly clean food debris out of the sink. With this done, no food will remain in the area to attract cockroaches, and sanitation will also repel them. Also make sure any food in cabinets is sealed in plastic or glass containers so cockroaches can’t detect it. Keep places that are dark and out of sight (i.e. the backs of cabinets, the underpart of the kitchen sink, and behind the refrigerator) as free of debris and moisture as possible.
Cockroaches often show up in pantries if food is improperly stored. They can get into food ingredients and dry food, and they’ll even eat pet food if it’s available. Plus, pantries are often left closed and dark, which means cockroaches will be more drawn to them as hiding places. Make sure to store food and any other vulnerable items on shelves off the ground and in properly sealed containers so cockroaches won’t be attracted to them.
To a cockroach, a bathroom is just as good of an infestation spot as any. Bathrooms have sinks and cabinets like kitchens do, plus an added water source in the form of bathtubs. Furthermore, since cockroaches will eat soap, shampoo, and many other substances found in bathrooms, it’s common to find them here. To prevent this, make sure your bathroom stays as clean, dry, and disinfected as possible.
Cockroaches can squeeze through tiny cracks and holes and are known to enter homes through tubing and piping. There are many household maintenance tasks you can do to prevent this:
Beyond these tasks, regular indoor home cleaning can also play a major role in keeping your home roach free. Regularly mop, sweep, dust, vacuum, disinfect, and declutter. Wash rugs, and keep air vents clean. The drier and cleaner your home is, the less likely cockroaches are to want to infest it.
If you find cockroaches in your home and the problem gets out of hand, it’s time to call the professionals, since these insects are not easy to eradicate. At Dodson Pest Control, we have over 75 years of experience getting rid of and preventing all kinds of pest issues, and we can help you get rid of your cockroach problem. Contact us today for a free inspection!
