Cockroaches are gross and an unpleasant sight to see in the kitchen. They leave their feces lying around your living space, and this can cause sicknesses to you and your family over time. It is necessary to maintain cleanliness in the house and ensure to wipe the stovetops, cabinets, microwaves, countertops more often to avoid pathogens from building up.
This article aims to guide you on what attracts cockroaches and the tips on how to get rid of them.
What attracts cockroaches in the house?
To eliminate what attracts cockroaches is a crucial step to get rid and prevent them successfully. It is necessary; otherwise, the treatment program will fail, and you may have repeat infestations in the future. They include;
- Cockroaches smell food;
They love your food. Any food spills could bring cockroaches inside the house to feast.
For this reason, you will find cockroaches in the kitchen and near trash cans. Removing any food source from them is an essential step in the control process. These are some of the ways to prevent cockroaches in the kitchen;
- Cleaning spills or leakages as soon as possible.
- Ensure to sweep or vacuum under the fridge, countertops, and stove.
- Storing your food in plastic bags or air-locked containers.
- Keeping food and eating in one room of the house to limit food spills and crumbs.
- Do not leave food uncovered for long.
- Keeping your garbage can clean and covered always.
- Leakages;
There are different types of cockroaches, and one, in particular, likes stagnant water. The oriental cockroaches thrive in a moist environment and are usually attracted to damp, humid areas like the laundry room, drains, basement, etc. Cockroaches in such areas could lead to structural problems in the house. It is essential to find the causes of pipe leakages and any source of moisture, which is attracting the cockroaches. It is necessary so you can stop the problem from the source.
- Small openings, cracks, and crevices;
Cockroaches come to the house through any small spaces and breaks. They can flatten their bodies and slip through thin holes to find food and warmth. This space is where they hide during daylight. When you eliminate these locations, they will be forced to come out in the open to find new places. It will be easier to spot them and kill them.
Getting rid of cockroaches naturally;
Since harsh chemicals may pose a risk to the family and pets, here are some strategies if you want to stick with home remedies;
- Vinegar;
It is a potent cleaning agent and so cleaning the house with water and vinegar solution discourages cockroaches inside. The smell of vinegar usually deter them, and the solution disinfect surfaces and dulls any scent of food and drink spills.
- Sugar and baking soda;
Baking soda is a famous leaving agent when baking as it helps to ferment the dough and expand it. When cockroaches eat it, the same thing happens. However, when that happens in the body of the cockroaches, it leads to its death. For the cockroach to eat baking soda, you will need to mix it with sugar. Then, make tiny piles of that powder and deposit on any cracks, crevices, or anywhere you have seen the cockroaches.
- Citrus Juice;
The scent of lemon and lime juices is also an irritant to cockroaches. They have an overbearing smell, and any house that smells strongly of them will deter the cockroaches. For this reason, many household cleaners use lemon scent. To make your repellant, you will need to mix pure lemon juice with water in a spray bottle and spray the clean areas.
Other ways to successfully get rid of cockroaches;
- Using cockroach traps;
It is an easy way to monitor and locate sources of infestation. To succeed, buy several traps and place them in possible areas of your infestation. They may include;
- Around any cracks and crevices.
- Inside shelves
- Kitchen corners and the basement
After setting the traps, they will start catching the cockroaches in no time.
- Using cockroach sprays;
It works best when you have ideas about where to find the cockroaches. Spray these areas strategically to reduce the infestation. The spray acts as a barrier, and it’s an instant contact killer. Ensure to use it correctly; otherwise, you risk making the infestation worse as it may spread into new areas. The right way to use them is to clear the wall voids and hard to reach crevices. Sprays work is to quickly irritate and short-circuit the central nervous system of the cockroach leading to death.
- Engage a pest control company;
If the infestation is severe, it is best to call professionals to help. You should not try to handle it by yourself. A professional pest control company will help eliminate the problem in the house through effective cockroach killing treatments. Learn how to get rid of cockroaches in Overland Park.
Author Bio:
Empire Pest Control has trained pest removal specialists who can quickly visit your home in such an emergency and advise on the course of action to deal with the infestation in London.