The Top 5 Causes of a Roach Infestation
A roach infestation is something everyone hopes to avoid. While they may not technically be dangerous, there’s just something about roaches that can make your skin crawl. If you’re hoping to avoid a roach problem, take a look below for the top five causes of a roach infestation so you’ll know what to look out for.
What Causes roaches?
Roaches are attracted to similar things as any other pest: shelter, food, and water. Anything that makes these things more available and easy to access is going to contribute to a roach infestation.
The top 5 causes of roaches are:
Shelter
Roaches, much like many other insects, love a good place to hideout. The more cluttered your home is, the more likely they are to come on in. Piles of newspapers and books, clothing left on the floor, shelves jam-packed with things – these all provide an excellent hiding spot for roaches. Keep your home as clutter-free as possible to avoid roach intruders.
Food & Grime
The dirtier your home, the more likely you are to have a roach infestation. Crumbs, spills, and food that has been left out are a great way to end up with a roach infestation quickly. The key to keeping roaches out is to keep your home, but most importantly your kitchen, as spotless as possible. After cooking or preparing a snack, wipe up crumbs and spills immediately. Sweep and mop your floor regularly. Never leave food out or in the sink. Rinse and wash dishes and put them away as soon as possible. Your kitchen may be the number one attraction for a roach invasion, so make it less enticing for them however you can.
Neighbors
This is an unfortunate side effect of sharing walls with others. If you live in an apartment, condo, or townhome and you have a neighbor with a roach infestation, chances are pretty good you will, too. Roaches don’t seem to know where one home ends and another begins, so expect any nasty invaders that your neighbors have to make their way into your home. The best way to avoid this is to speak with management and ask if they will provide routine pest control for the entire building. Keep your home as clean as you possibly can, and hopefully, the combination will ward off those overly friendly roaches.
Water Sources
Pretty much every insect around is looking for three things: water, food, and shelter. We’ve already discussed the shelter that clutter provides, so now you’ll need to think about food and water. Keep your food sealed and stored properly. Any food in your pantry should be kept in glass, hard plastic, or metal containers that are airtight. Don’t leave food out on counters. And make sure don’t have any leaky faucets around your home. Also, keep an eye on your pet’s food and water bowls. These tend to be a big draw for roaches.
Trash
Take your trash out at the end of the day, every day, to help avoid a roach issue. Especially if you are throwing food away, trashcans can be a major attraction for roach visitors. Also, wipe your trashcan down with a disinfectant on a regular basis. The leftover grime from food that has been thrown away may also draw them in.
While you may not be able to dodge every possible cause of a roach infestation, avoiding the above causes will certainly help. In addition, enlist the help of a pest control expert. By having your home treated for potential insect and rodent infestations on a regular basis, you will be doing all that you can to prevent an infestation in your home.
Think You Have An Infestation? Get Help Today!
Are you sick of finding surprise roaches in your bathroom or kitchen? While baits and traps may work to a certain extent, nothing compares to professional pest control treatments. With Zap Termite & Pest Control's cockroach control services, we can help you eliminate current infestations and prevent them from returning. Give us a call today to learn more about our services!