4 Tips for Preventing Cockroaches

Cockroaches carry and can transmit many diseases such as staph, strep, and salmonella. They have also been implicated in the spread of tuberculosis, leprosy, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, asthma, and other respiratory illnesses. Therefore, it is very important to know what steps you can take to deter them from invading your home.

1. Keep Your House Clean – Roaches are attracted to food particles

Sweep, vacuum, wipe cabinets and counter tops, never leave dirty dishes in the sink

Take it a step further: Put all open food in air-tight containers

2. Avoid Having Damp Areas – Roaches are attracted to moist, dark areas

Avoid leaving standing water, remove washcloths and damp towels from flat surfaces, avoid storing damp clothing or towels inside a laundry hamper

Take it a step further: Plug drains when not in use, use a de-humidifier

3. Seal the Cracks – Roaches can crawl through very small cracks

Check baseboards, door frames, window frames, under sinks and any cracks or crevices and where electrical and telephone lines enter the house and seal them

Take it a step further: Use boric acid powder near cracks

4. Garbage Can Habits – Garbage cans contain food particles and are dark

Keep garbage cans tightly covered, remove garbage often

Take it a step further: Take the garbage out every day

When a roach infestation occurs, many homeowners think they can eliminate the infestation themselves. The length of time it takes to rid your home of a cockroach infestation depends largely upon species and the size of the infestation. Many over-the-counter products homeowners utilize often prove ineffective against a cockroach infestation. These pests are extremely adaptable and may even be resistant to some home extermination methods.

If you find 1 roach in your home, chances are you brought it in from the outside.  If you’re finding several roaches it’s time to call an exterminator.

Don’t try fighting the battle against roaches alone… Contact PermaTreat if you live in Virginia and get your roach problem back under control.