How To Keep Roaches Away From House
No one likes the sight of a cockroach scurrying across their floor. Not only are they unpleasant to look at, but they also can carry diseases and bacteria, which can be harmful to you and your family. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to minimize the risk of a roach infestation. Here’s how to keep those pesky critters at bay:
Inspect Items Entering Your Home
Before bringing in boxes, bags, or even used appliances and furniture, inspect them thoroughly. Roaches can hitch a ride on these items. Ensure that they are roach-free before they cross your threshold.
Keep a Clean Home
Roaches are attracted to food and water. Regularly vacuuming, mopping, and wiping down surfaces can help eliminate any crumbs or spills that might attract them. Make sure to pay special attention to the kitchen and dining areas, where food residues are most likely to accumulate.
Limit Dining to One Room
Keeping food consumption limited to one area reduces the spaces where food particles and residues can accumulate. This makes your cleaning efforts more efficient and lessens the attraction of roaches.
Proper Food Storage
Always store food in sealed containers and avoid leaving food out overnight. This includes pet food, which should be kept in sealed bins and not left in pet bowls overnight. A tight-sealing refrigerator and cupboards can make a world of difference.
Look for Entry Points
Regularly inspect your home for cracks, crevices, and holes where roaches could enter. Seal up any potential entry points using caulk or another appropriate sealant.
Remove Hiding Places from the Floor
Roaches love to hide in dark and cluttered spaces. You can eliminate many of their favorite hiding spots by keeping floors clear and reducing clutter. This includes regularly checking behind appliances and furniture.
Focus Outdoors to Prevention
Prevention starts outside your home. Clear away debris, such as leaves or woodpiles, from your home’s perimeter. Additionally, treat outdoor spaces with appropriate pesticides, considering the safety of pets and children.
Check Your Water Sources
Roaches are attracted not only to food but also to water. Regularly check for leaking pipes or faucets. Fix any leaks you find immediately and consider using dehumidifiers in damp areas of your home.
Keep it Cool
Roaches prefer warm environments. Keeping your home cool, especially during hot months, makes it less inviting to them. Consider using air conditioning or fans, and ensure your home is well-ventilated.
Use Natural Repellents
Certain natural substances can repel roaches. For instance, catnip, peppermint oil, and bay leaves can be strategically placed in areas where roaches are commonly found. Their strong scent deters roaches, pushing them away from your home.
Diatomaceous Earth
This is a natural insect killer and is non-toxic to humans and pets. Sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth in areas where roaches might frequent. It works by dehydrating them, ultimately leading to their demise.
Fix Gaps in Window and Door Frames
Apart from wall cracks, roaches can also find their way into homes through gaps in window and door frames. Ensure that these areas are well-sealed. Installing door sweeps can also prevent cockroaches from entering your home.
Monitor with Glue Strips
Roach glue strips can be placed in various areas of your home to monitor the extent of an infestation. If you notice many roaches on these strips, especially in a particular area, it can indicate a larger problem that requires immediate attention.
Use Roach Bait Stations
These are a more passive approach to dealing with roaches. Instead of killing them on the spot, roaches are attracted to the bait, consume it, and then return to their nest, where they die. Other roaches then consume them, leading to a domino effect of death within the colony.
Avoid Stagnant Water
Apart from fixing leaks, ensure that there is no stagnant water anywhere in or around your home. This includes overwatered plants, open water containers, and dishes left in the sink overnight. Stagnant water is a big attraction for roaches.
Regularly Empty Garbage
Make it a point to take out the garbage daily. Roaches are attracted to the smell of food in the trash. A trash bin with a tight-sealing lid can also make a big difference.
Store Firewood Away from Your Home
If you use firewood, store it at least 20 feet away from your home and five inches off the ground. Roaches, along with other pests, often hide in woodpiles.
Conclusion
Taking preventive measures and being vigilant about home maintenance can go a long way in keeping roaches out of your living spaces. Remember, preventing an infestation is easier than getting rid of one. By following these steps, you’ll not only have a cleaner, more organized home but also a space that’s less inviting to pests.
