Here’s How to Beat Cockroaches at Their Own Game

Ask anyone what the last bug they would want to find in their home would be and nine out of ten people would tell you it’s cockroaches. They eat anything they can find and multiply exponentially, taking over all corners of your house without you even realising it. Roaches also can carry microbes such as tropomyosin, which has been thought to cause asthma.

Roaches have been known to squeeze through holes as small as a half of a millimetre and can be almost impossible to track back to where they reside in your house. They can survive without air for a half an hour and without food for over a month! So, how do you get rid your home of these unwanted visitors?

They’re very hard to sneak up on, since the cockroach has a nerve running from their tail to their head that allows them to know quickly if there’s something coming up behind them. But there is one good way to catch them, and that’s with light. Cockroaches are nocturnal by nature, so it’s easy to find their hiding places.

To catch one of the pests in action, walk into a dark room without making a sound, moving as quiet as a mouse. When you are ready, switch the light on and watch quickly for the roaches as they scurry to find a dark spot. The best places to find cockroaches are under sinks, inside cabinets, under furniture and beds, in dark closets and cold, dark rooms like garages.

It is vital to not leave food lying around and if you spill something, especially something sticky, clean it up really well. Keep your dishes clean and sweep and mop very often, specifically in corners. Store your food in air tight containers, some stores even offer pest resistant storage containers. Keep in mind that once you have roaches, it is hard to get rid of them, so prevention is the best way to keep roaches out. Woodpiles and cardboard are roach vacation spots, so keep these items far away from your home.

Cockroaches can fit through the most unexpected spaces to find food. Check your home often and seal all cracks that you find in the walls, floors, ceilings and foundation. Caulk regularly around tubs, sinks, windows and any other outlets you find that lead to the outdoors.

One of the best ways to get rid of roaches is by using bait traps that utilise boric acid and hydramethylon gel. Baits that contain egg killers help to kill the whole infestation and work quickly, but not always. The only sure fire way to get rid of roaches is through a professional exterminator, who has the tools and knowledge to help alleviate the problem.

To rid your home of roaches permanently, you may have to consider contracting an exterminator. Not only will a professional help to get rid of your roach problem for good, they will also be able to tell you what other bug problems you may have, if you have any.

Prevention is a key factor in keeping your home pest free and using an exterminator is a guaranteed way to take your home back. It can also save you time and money long term, so don’t fight this losing battle alone, hire a pro to fight for you and rid your home of pests for good.