How to Prevent Cockroaches in Your Home

If you’ve ever dealt with a cockroach infestation, you understand that uncomfortable feeling when you spot a bunch of them – and you probably never want to deal with them again. At Springer Pest Control, we agree. The best way to deal with a cockroach infestation is to not have one in the first place. So let’s talk about some ways you can keep cockroaches away from your home.

The Most Important Things You Can Do to Keep Roaches Away from Your Home

With cockroaches, it mostly boils down to don’t give them a reason to want to move into your home. Roaches are not complicated. They want three things: food, water, and shelter. If you can take those away, you force them to go somewhere else to find it.

Eliminate Roaches’ Access to Food

After meals or snacks, clean everything up in a timely manner. Wipe up any food residues that might remain and wash your dishes. Be sure to store all of your food properly and securely. This goes for pet food, too!

Of course, eliminating their access to all food is easier said than done. Roaches are adaptive eaters, which means they’ll eat what’s present. This could be anything from fruits and vegetables to crumbs to cardboard and even garbage. Yes, some roaches can even chew through plastic garbage bags to get what’s inside. Always keep a lid on your trash can and take out the trash often.

Keep a Tidy, Clean Property

While the presence of roaches doesn’t necessarily mean your home is dirty or untidy, it is true that roaches appreciate dirty and untidy homes more than clean homes. It gives them more opportunities to hide and nest, and most likely, easier access to something to eat.

In addition to paying close attention to food waste in the kitchen, we strongly recommend getting rid of clutter, as clutter can provide hiding spaces for roaches as well as food. Newspapers, grocery bags, and old cardboard boxes are especially favored by roaches. We also recommend vacuuming your floors regularly.

Check for Pipe Leaks and Moisture

Roaches need water to drink just like every other creature, but they don’t need a lot. A few drops in the shower or sink is enough. You should also inspect your home for leaky pipes as they can act like a hidden oasis for cockroaches. Some basements and crawl spaces also have high humidity which will pool into water gradually over time, so be sure to have yours checked for excess moisture.

Inspect Your Property and Seal Possible Entry Points

Cockroaches don’t just suddenly appear. They come from somewhere, and for most homeowners, that somewhere is outside. Take a walk around your property, looking for potential entry points. These can be holes, cracks, or crevices, and they don’t have to be very big – roaches don’t need a lot of space. Seal these entry points so cockroaches can’t come in.

We also recommend carefully inspecting anything you bring into the house, such as packages, deliveries, or used furniture, as this is another way cockroach infestations can occur.

Look for Cockroach Warning Signs

Oftentimes when you have roaches in your home, the warning signs are visible before you start to see roaches. Once you start seeing roaches, there’s a good chance there are many more roaches you’re not seeing. Therefore, it’s important to be able to spot the warning signs early. If you do, you’ll likely have a smaller and easier-to-handle infestation.

For more in-depth information, check out our article on recognizing the signs of a cockroach infestation.

Where Should You Look for Cockroaches in Your Home?

Cockroaches prefer warm and humid environments where they can remain undisturbed.

• Around sinks, drains, showers and bathtubs
• Inside cabinets and drawers
• Behind and under appliances such as refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, and water heaters
• Near or inside garbage cans and recycling bins
• Along walls and baseboards, inside cracks and crevices in walls and floors
• In cluttered areas with boxes, storage containers, and debris
• In and around outdoor sheds and storage buildings
• Inside closets and clothing storage areas
• Around electrical outlets and light fixtures
• In cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and pipes

If you do find them, call us today and get a free quote on roach control service. Or for more in-depth information, check out our page on how to get rid of cockroaches in your home.

Can You Use Roach Traps or Roach Baits to Prevent Roaches?

Roach traps and roach baits will never be as effective as removing the resources that attract roaches – food, water, and shelter. However, if you like the feeling of added security that preventative roach baits give you, it doesn’t hurt.

Just be aware that they’re no guarantee you won’t see roaches. Traps and baits generally only cover a small area, so if roaches enter another part of the house, they may not be effective. Additionally, you’ll want to check the expiration date on the traps or baits and replace them as needed. Don’t let the traps give you a false sense of security!

Get Long-Term Protection from Roaches

At Springer Professional Home Services, we believe in stopping pest problems before they begin. Cockroaches are infamously difficult to deal with, and we know how frustrating it can be to realize you have an infestation. 

That’s why we offer PestFree365+, our year-round preventive pest control program that covers cockroaches and 35 other common household pests. For more information about PestFree365+ or to schedule a one-time appointment, call us today!