Although roaches breed year-round, the reproduction rate goes up during the summer. They also will come inside to escape the heat, making an infestation more likely during these months than ever.
Because cockroaches cannot survive temperatures above 115° F to 120° F, it is possible to use heat to eradicate cockroaches from restaurants and food service establishments. After heat- sensitive equipment is removed from the building, the temperature is increased to about 140-150° F for five to six hours.
Cockroaches are famous for loving warm, humid areas, so they will typically be found congregating in certain areas inside homes, such as kitchens and bathrooms. And when temperatures get too hot outside, they will find their way into buildings to escape the heat.
Although roaches breed year-round, the reproduction rate goes up during the summer. They also will come inside to escape the heat, making an infestation more likely during these months than ever.
Roaches are resilient and extremely hard to get rid of once they have established themselves in your home. As long as the temperature indoors is above 50 degrees, roaches can remain active year-round, although they are more prevalent in the spring and summer months.
The tendency of the average cockroach to seek out warm, moist areas means that homes are at an increased risk of infestation during an extended warm temperature period. In the winter, the cockroach population shrinks but they are driven to seek shelter indoors, making them more noticeable.
Generally, cockroaches don't like the cold one bit. They are cold-blooded arthropods that don't survive very well in either extremely cold or hot circumstances. They're always at whatever temperature their environment is and generally slow down with cooler temperatures.
So, what do roaches do in the winter? They find a place to hide. Temperatures between 15 and Zero degrees Fahrenheit will kill a cockroach, and they cannot breed at temperatures below 40 degrees.
Cockroaches are in danger of fatal heat exposure at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, the cockroaches will die in 2 to 7 hours.
The most common places for a roach nest in the house are in kitchens or bathrooms, particularly behind refrigerators, in cracks and crevices, and under furniture. Roaches prefer a warm, humid environment, so these places should be considered first, especially if they are close to a food source and water supply.
Roach Repellents
Peppermint oil, cedarwood oil, and cypress oil are essential oils that effectively keep cockroaches at bay. Additionally, these insects hate the smell of crushed bay leaves and steer clear of coffee grounds. If you want to try a natural way to kill them, combine powdered sugar and boric acid.
Moisture. Roaches need moisture to survive and this search for water will bring them into even the cleanest of homes. Leaky pipes and faucets are one of the most common attractants for cockroaches and is one of the main reasons you often see them in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.
In the wild, these include: Amphibians like toads and frogs. Small mammals such as mice and shrews. Beetles, spiders, and other insects or arachnids.
Air conditioners can attract cockroaches. HVAC systems and AC units offer a moist environment and open water source. The air conditioning process generates heat, which cockroaches like. AC units are enclosed and dark, which creates a safe haven.
Roaches are most active at night, during which time they forage for food and mate. Outdoor cockroaches in the northern United States enter a period of hibernation in winter, experiencing a suspended state of development in autumn. When spring arrives, they resume their activity.
They can live for a month or more without a single scrap of food and one to two weeks to die of dehydration, even in an empty house. You're going to need to take steps to get rid of the roaches, as waiting for them to die or leave will not work.
Will roaches leave a cold house? Roaches, in general, do not like cold temperatures, so subjecting them to cold enough environments might force them to leave in search of warmer surroundings. That said, some species can tolerate lower temperatures as long as they have access to food and water.
If your home has 5 or fewer cockroaches, it can be identified as a light infestation. If it is between 10 to 25 roaches, it can be a moderate one. But if it exceeds 25, it can now be classified as a heavy infestation. You should know that the few roaches you see at home are not the only ones you have to deal with.
When the weather warms up, though, cockroaches will emerge from the walls, basement, drain pipes, and other sheltered spots in your home in search of food. As a result, you might encounter them in your home in the springtime. Additionally, spring and summer are cockroach breeding seasons.
Use a dehumidifier in your home.
Roaches thrive in humid environments, so using a dehumidifier is a good way to send them looking for a more humid place to live. If you use a dehumidifier in a large area like a basement, be sure you choose one that is specifically made to cover the area's square footage.
Seeing roach feces or droppings.
Seeing an unusual number of droppings in a specific area will also help you track where the roach shelters are. Best to cut off any water or food source near this location so prevent further infestation.
Fogging systems are great at killing roaches on contact, but foggers can actually push the majority of them further into their safer hiding places. Fogging or bombing roaches creates a long-term problem for you and your loved ones that will not go away.