Winter is just around the corner, and that means some outdoor critters might be eager to find their way inside your home where it’s safe and warm. While cockroaches are generally more active in the warmer seasons, the onset of cooler weather can drive them indoors, causing distress for residents across the country who don’t appreciate their new little roommates.
Brooks Pest Control has played this game before. Cockroaches are rarely welcome in any home, and we’re experts in keeping these pests out of your home. This article will walk you through some of our best and most practical tips for what to do when you see a cockroach. Whether you’ve already caught them in your cupboards or you’re taking proactive measures to prevent their arrival, the best time to start is now.
Prepare for the Worst-Case Scenario
Seeing a cockroach inside your house or apartment doesn’t necessarily mean you have a raging roach infestation. It’s possible that a stray cockroach made its way inside but hasn’t set itself up for a long-term stay. That being said, it’s better to be safe than sorry, and it’s important to determine whether you’re dealing with an infestation. If you do have a serious cockroach infestation and you ignore it, the problem will only get worse. Do your due diligence by following the steps below.
Make It Harder for Cockroaches to Get In
Here’s what to do when you see a cockroach in your apartment or home. The best way to prevent cockroaches is to seal your home to minimize their opportunities to get inside. Here are some tips for sealing your home to prevent cockroaches:
- Inspect your home for cracks and crevices where cockroaches could enter. This could include cracks in the foundation or walls, vents, gaps around doors and windows, and up through drains. Where possible, seal these with caulk or another sealant.
- If you live in an apartment, try to figure out if your building is experiencing a pest issue. If they’re in your apartment, it’s possible that they’re crawling around your neighbors’ units as well, so talk with your neighbors or landlord to try and narrow down possible entry points.
- Keep food sealed up tightly and don’t leave any crumbs or food residue around. Cockroaches are attracted to food and will come into your home if they can find a food source.
- Empty out garbage cans regularly and don’t leave any trash or recycling bags sitting around inside your home.
Make Your Home Less Appealing
Cockroaches like your home for many of the same reasons you do: It’s warm, and it contains food and water. Fortunately, a lot of this can be fixed by keeping a clean environment that offers no sustenance for these pests to live on. Start by storing food in airtight containers. Cockroaches are attracted to easily-accessible food, so make sure your dry ingredients are locked up tight. Similarly, keep an eye out for leaks and spills, a dripping sink or fridge can create a hidden oasis for cockroaches.
Keep your kitchen clean. A dirty kitchen is a perfect breeding ground for cockroaches because they have so many nutritional resources just laying around. Be sure to sweep up crumbs, wash dishes, and wipe down surfaces regularly.
Finally, don’t leave food out. It can be easy to leave a plate of cookies or a piece of fruit exposed with plans to eat it later, but this can attract a lot of cockroaches who will feast on your food if given a chance.
Recruit the Help of Pest Control Technicians
The quickest and most effective way to get rid of cockroaches is to enlist professional assistance with pest control for cockroaches. Pest technicians are required to undergo training in pest identification and pest removal techniques, so they’ll quickly be able to determine what type of cockroaches have invaded your home, how they’re getting in, and how to get rid of them.
When you’re experiencing a cockroach problem, you may be tempted to try to take care of the problem yourself, but there are risks that come with store-bought cockroach control products. When used improperly, store-bought pesticides can have nasty side effects, especially if you have pets in the home. Additionally, many of these products only treat the symptom of a cockroach infestation, not the root cause. Instead of spraying the cockroaches that wander out of their nest during the day, hire a pest control expert who can eliminate the infestation altogether.
Pest Control for Cockroaches From Brooks Pest Control
Sometimes store-bought pesticides and best efforts can drive cockroaches from your home, but most of the time, these tenacious insects are determined to stay. If you’ve tried your hand at removing an infestation and are frustrated at the lack of results, it’s time to contact the professionals at Brooks Pest Control for expert and eco-friendly cockroach control services on the west coast.
Brooks Pest Control is very familiar with the stress that cockroach problems can cause people, and we’ve mastered all the best methods for removing even the hardiest pests. Our customers rely on us to be quick, effective, and convenient—an honor we don’t take lightly.
Don’t put up with cockroaches any longer than necessary. Take a look at our pest control service areas to find your nearest branch, so we can get started helping you cockroach-proof your home. From the kitchen to the bathroom and beyond, we’ll take care of you. If you’re ready to be free of cockroaches in the winter, summer, or any time of year, contact Brooks Pest Control today!