Improper sanitation, presence of food and water sources, and favorable living conditions are common causes of roach
Large cockroaches come inside looking for food, water, and shelter, especially during very cold or hot weather. Large roaches are especially attracted to foods with sugar, starch, or grease.
Poor sanitation, improper food storage, and water leaks provide ample resources for these pests to thrive. Even small crumbs or spills can attract cockroaches and support their populations. Cockroaches are omnivores, meaning they eat almost anything organic. This includes food scraps, pet food, paper, and even glue.
Roaches in the house prefer dark, warm, humid places like basements, kitchens, and sewers. These pests may have been present in your home before you arrived, and they can also come from neighboring properties or directly from outdoor areas.
Don't panic. There's plenty you can do to get the issue under control. Start by cleaning up any food residue or spillages, and don't leave mess lying around. Check for signs like cockroach droppings and set up sticky traps until the pest experts arrive.
Squashing a female cockroach that is carrying an egg case can inadvertently spread the eggs to different areas, leading to a wider infestation once they hatch. This happens because when the casing breaks and the eggs can scatter. Some eggs may even attach to the shoe of the squasher and be carried to other areas.
Some strong scents, such as lavender and mint, have been known to repel cockroaches.
No matter how clean your home is, if there's some excess moisture somewhere, it could very well be an attractive invitation for your neighborhood roaches. This is one of the reasons why you'll commonly find roaches hanging out in your bathroom and laundry room or around an appliance that produces condensation.
Many insects grow larger when the air around them is more oxygen-rich. That's because bugs breathe through their skin, using a series of tubes called tracheal tubes. When oxygen levels rise, the tubes can be narrow, but still deliver enough oxygen to power big bugs.
Citrus is one of the scents cockroaches are most known to hate, notably lemon and orange. Keeping a dish of lemon juice on your kitchen counter can deter these pests, as well as placing lemon peels around the home to discourage cockroaches from coming out of hiding.
Typically, cockroaches stay away following a treatment or service, but sometimes these pests may return with a vengeance! Keep reading to learn more about recuring cockroach infestations and what you can do to prevent these pests from returning.
Choose your bait.
Onion is a common choice, although you can use anything fragrant. Try using a small strip of fresh banana peel or sweet, overripe fruit. You can also use a small piece of bread. If you have noticed the cockroaches in your house being attracted to a specific food, try using that as bait.
Roach nest, unlike birds' nests, isn't a physical structure but rather a hidden congregation point for roaches, typically in dark, moist areas close to food and water sources. To find a roach nest, look for signs like droppings that look like coffee grounds, oval-shaped egg casings, and increased night-time activity.
Pest Control: Dealing with Different Sizes
Small roaches are often more resistant to pesticides due to their rapid reproduction, while big roaches, being more visible, can be easier to spot and remove.
Leaving the light on doesn't deter cockroaches effectively because they can navigate in low-light conditions. While they're mostly active at night, they may still come out in search of food or water. During the day, cockroaches hide in dark areas not directly exposed to light.
Answer: While one cockroach doesn't make up an infestation - doing nothing or failing to see that one cockroach usually means an infestation is looming in the future unless Integrated Pest Management actions are taken and a thorough inspection conducted to make sure that one cockroach seen isn't one from a larger group ...
Citronella Oil
Its strong scent is known to deter roaches and other insects like mosquitoes and gnats. Homeowners can either directly apply the oil to areas frequented by roaches for the most effective application or dilute it with water to create a DIY repellent spray.
Cockroaches are blessed with an amazing sense of smell. This is what they use when seeking food and mate but at the same time, this is also their weakness. A cockroach's sense of smell can be used to get rid of them.
Diatomaceous earth is a natural insecticide made of powered fossilized algae, or diatoms. Diatomaceous earth quickly and suddenly dehydrates roaches so they die. Simply sprinkle it where you notice roach activity, then clean the area the next day. This method may take several applications.
There's a long-running joke that cockroaches could survive the apocalypse, as getting rid of unwanted roaches is difficult if you have an infestation. But if you want to kill them on contact, all you need to do is reach for your handy bottle of Pine-Sol! Considered a "contact insecticide," it kills them quickly.
Cockroaches are not only not nice to see scuttling across the kitchen floor, they are also known to carry diseases. If you see one in your home, you need to trace where it came from and call in the experts. If you have seen one there is likely to be more.
Center of gravity: Cockroaches have a high center of gravity and a rounded back, which makes them prone to tipping over. Once a cockroach is upside down, it struggles to gain traction on flat surfaces, making it hard to flip back over.
Most roaches will be killed by vacuuming, but it's a good idea to change the vac- uum cleaner bag often and dispose of it in a double garbage bag. KEEP THEM OUT. Place screens (insect mesh) in windows. Vacuum (or sweep), then sponge mop kitchen floor every week.