Cockroaches are one of the most common household pests in the world. On average, they can range anywhere from one-half to 3 inches long. But if you thought they are all the same, you’re wrong! Different roaches can be attracted to your home for different reasons. Hence, knowing the type of roach you are dealing with can help a great deal when you look for ways to get rid of them. For example, the German roach is attracted to water. That means that reducing access to water sources in your home can help reduce a roach infestation.
There are other prevention methods too, such as cleaning your home regularly and storing your food properly that can help you prevent an infestation. But how do you get rid of cockroaches once they have already invaded your home? Keep in mind that roaches enter homes in search of food, shelter, and water. Once they have infested an area, they can multiply quickly, which can pose a threat to your comfort and health.
Therefore, it is of prime importance that you get rid of cockroaches before you’ve got a full-blown infestation on your hands. Roaches are known to carry bacteria that can result in food poisoning, diarrhea, allergies, and skin rashes. If present in large numbers, they can also produce a foul odor. Therefore, get rid of them as soon as you can. But of course, you’ve got to develop a plan first. After all, the most effective roach control typically requires more than one type of treatment method.
IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM AREAS WITH A FLASHLIGHT AND GLUE STRIPS
Before you decide the cockroach control method to use, it is best to first examine your home for possible cockroach infestation sites. You can do this by using a torch to search for popular roach hiding spots. These spots usually include the places behind the refrigerator, under the sink, in crevices in cabinets and shelves, by closet door corners, in bathroom cabinets, and in closets. You can use roach glue strips to locate large infestations.
Decide on the most strategic areas to place the strips after the area inspection. Monitor those areas for a few days up to a week. Strips placed in high-traffic areas will catch the most roaches, and so, these areas will need the most treatment.
USE CAULK TO CLOSE GAPS TO PREVENT FURTHER INFESTATION
Traps can be effective in reducing the existing roach population inside your home, but they won’t get rid of roaches on the outside that try to break in. To prevent a roach infestation from expanding, use caulk to fill possible entry points, including gaps between walls or tile, small crevices, and entry holes. Using weather stripping on doors and window seals can help as well.
PLACE GEL BAIT STATIONS TO EFFECTIVELY REDUCE ROACH POPULATION
Gel bait can be a really effective roach killer. Gel bait usually comes in the form of a tube and can be applied under baseboards, in cracks and crevices, and near areas that are most likely to attract roaches. While gel bait can help you in getting rid of roaches, it can also result in a number of dead roaches lying around your home. Another popular method when deciding how to kill cockroaches is the use of bait stations.
Bait stations work by attracting roaches into stations to feed on poison. The poisoned roach then travels back to its original location, dies, and is eaten by the other roaches, thus passing on the poison further. Bait stations can be effective in getting rid of roaches partially but usually isn’t able to completely get rid of all the roaches in your home. They also pose a health issue because they contain poison and look unappealing when scattered around your home. Some roach stations only contain glue to trap the roaches, and do not have any bait and poison in them. This may be the best option if you have kids or pets in your house.
BORIC ACID POWDER FOR ADDED EFFECTIVENESS
If you didn’t already know, boric acid, a substance found in products like clothing detergent and toothpaste, can be one of the best roach killers. However, it is also one of the things that are easily misapplied and is subject to displacement by air currents, sending the material into areas where children and pets can come into contact with it. Made by chemically combining boron and water, boric acid is low in toxicity to people and pets but very deadly when it comes to cockroaches. That being said, if boric acid is used incorrectly, it will lose effectiveness and thus, it is not typically recommended as the only method for getting rid of cockroaches.
PEST MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL
It is often best to hire a specialist to treat a roach infestation. This will not only increase safety but offer a more effective approach to getting rid of these pests and provide an ongoing solution to cockroach control.
If you’re looking for a termite & pest control service in Melbourne, get in touch with us today! We’re happy to help.
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