Thanksgiving is coming up soon, so people are giving thanks, but one thing we’re not thankful for is cockroaches. If you’ve tried to get rid of cockroaches before, you know how resilient they are. We’ll explain how you can prevent cockroaches from moving in and how to get rid of them if they’re already sharing your home.
Where Cockroaches Hide
Cockroaches like to hide in moist areas like pipes, sinks, bathrooms, etc. because they need water. While cockroaches can survive almost anything, they can only live for a week without water.
They are attracted to any type of food, especially greasy food. As a result, cockroaches prefer to live in dirty spaces that have plenty of food crumbs, but they can live almost anywhere and will even move into clean homes to get to water or moist areas. They also feed on cardboard boxes and like warm spaces.
Roaches are prevalent in humid climates and large cities, but they can easily travel to different climates. Visiting a tropical, warm place sounds wonderful (especially at this time of year), but not if you bring little roaches home with you. They will hitch rides in suitcases and backpacks, so make sure you thoroughly examine your belongings before packing them to return home from a vacation!
Types of Cockroaches in Utah
Four main types of cockroaches live in Utah: American cockroaches, Oriental cockroaches, Brown-banded cockroaches, and German cockroaches. The most common type in Utah is the German cockroach. As one of the smallest roach species, they grow to be about ½ inch long and are light brown with black lines.
One of the largest species is the American cockroach, which can grow to be about 2 inches long. Both American and German cockroaches may be present in your home because they can cohabitate and are often found together.
Signs of a Cockroach Infestation
You will probably see their excrement or eggs before you see any cockroaches. Roaches usually lay their eggs in warm, humid areas that are close to a food source. They are particularly attracted to cardboard boxes, newspapers, etc., and tend to lay their eggs in sheltered areas.
You may also notice cockroaches rummaging through your trash or see one coming out of a bathroom drain. The bad news is if you’re seeing cockroaches during the day, you likely already have a large infestation.
Health Concerns Associated with Cockroach Infestations
Cockroaches carry bacteria and diseases that can make people sick, so they pose a health threat to people they live with. Like many other insects, roaches like to hide out in undesirable places, and as a result, they track bacteria from those places with them everywhere they go.
Keep your kitchen as clean as possible to prevent them from being attracted there. Be especially mindful of places where grease and crumbs collect and quickly fix any leaking pipes or faucets. These are areas that will be particularly attractive to your little roach buddies, and the kitchen is the last place you want bacteria-riddled roaches to hang out.
How to Prevent a Cockroach Infestation
Keep your home clean! This is the best way to prevent a roach infestation. You’ll want to not only sweep, vacuum, and put food away promptly—you’ll also want to periodically clean in, under, and around the stove, behind the fridge, under sinks, and in cupboards. Cockroaches will find any dirty, warm place to hide, so if you keep your living space clean, roaches are much less likely to move in.
Cockroaches are attracted to water and will invade clean homes to get to it if necessary. To help prevent them from being attracted to your home, frequently check places where water can collect and inspect for leaks. This will allow you to make any needed repairs before roaches are attracted to those areas. Because Utah is so dry, this is one situation in particular that cockroaches will take advantage of.
To recap, make sure you take these steps to prevent an infestation:
- Deep clean your home periodically (especially your kitchen)
- Keep your home clean and tidy
- Frequently check for (and fix any) leaky pipes
- Thoroughly examine your luggage before returning home from vacations
How to Get Rid of Cockroaches
Even if you keep your home clean and check for roaches diligently, sometimes they may still invade—this usually happens in apartment complexes and tightly packed cities. And if you’re dealing with an infestation, you’ll likely need professional help.
Cockroaches are hard to get rid of, and while over-the-counter products work well for small infestations, they are ineffective for large infestations. A professional pest control company can spray products at the proper intervals to get rid of an infestation. Call or text our office at 801-226-2261 for a free quote today.