Cockroaches even a random mention of these ugly creatures will make anyone shudder. Not only are they hideous, but they are also one of the main reasons for spreading diseases! These pests can even trigger severe allergies, so getting rid of them as quickly as possible is essential. Thankfully, we can prevent infestations and avoid spreading disease in our modern era. This cockroach prevention guide and blog will discuss why and how to avoid these devils properly.

Reasons to hate them

Do you even need a reason to hate them? Just look at them! They are everything that is wrong with this world. However, if that is not enough of an argument for you, don’t worry; we’ll share some serious facts. Those facts will change your mind, and that’s a guarantee.

They are everywhere!

Cockroaches are present in almost every part of the world. There’s not a house they are not found in. If you live alone and like your independence, it’s time to pop that bubble. Why? Well, because you are not living alone. As soon as you go to sleep, these creepy crawlies come out of the shadows. They will casually roam your house or apartment as if it has been their property for centuries. They will seriously damage the quality of indoor air. In the US, a whopping 63% of the homes had cockroach allergens in a National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences survey.

There are almost 4000 species of cockroaches. Yes, they have such a large family that they could take over our civilization on Earth, which tells us it’s time to move to Mars and start a new life and return when cockroaches have gone extinct. However, on a more serious note, cockroaches are classified into four major categories: American, German, Oriental, and brown-banded. The National Pest Management Association narrated in their reports that cockroaches are the most common household insect’s pest control professionals in the USA encounter.

Cockroaches are not limited to places with poor hygiene. They can be found in almost every crevice of your home. Even if you are extra careful, they slip past the strongest defences. It wouldn’t be wrong to call them James Bond of the insect world; they can infiltrate any place, no matter how secure. So, if you think you are safe from them because you have built the most secure safehouse against these creepy crawlies, think again. They can easily find a way into both commercial and residential buildings.

Serious health problems

These creepy and disgusting creatures are a primary cause of respiratory problems. Cockroaches are known to carry many potential diseases. They are among the most common ways bacteria, viruses, and parasites propagate. Cockroaches have been linked to chronic diseases such as asthma. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America reported that cockroach allergens constitute a significant percentage of common indoor allergens.

They can produce symptoms such as chest tightness, shortness of breath, and even wheezing. According to the Global Asthma Report 2018, asthma is a severe problem because it affects 339 million people worldwide. Cockroach allergens pose a severe health risk for such patients because they are more likely to be hospitalized. This is especially true in children, as a study published in the reputable Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology explains.

They cause vast amounts of damage to both health and the economy. How? The more people get sick, the greater the burden on healthcare systems. A study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine explained that the total healthcare costs due to cockroach allergens are around $2.1 billion annually.

They never go extinct!

This ugly species will stay much longer than us. They breed with the speed of light, if not faster. Let us tell you that is by no means an exaggeration. A cockroach can somehow build an entire town in your house within days. The females can produce multiple ootheca, which are egg cases. They can produce between 10 to 50 offspring in a single egg case! This means they can build a community in a few weeks and take over your house.

The worst thing about them is that they come out at the worst time possible, at night! Since everything evil usually occurs at night, it is unsurprising that they come out in the night-cowards! Unlike the comics, there won’t be a Batman to help us the night we are on our own when protecting ourselves from cockroaches. This is also why they are hard to kill. It is tough to spot them in the night. You will only start noticing them at night once the infestation has gone out of control.

Want to prevent sharing your place with them?

Do you hate them enough to ask how to keep cockroaches away? Well, then it’s time to search for solutions. When you go out to find solutions to rid yourself of these pests, you will find many things. Some conventional tips will be found, like smoking the place or doing something else weird. Some even try catnip and peppermint oils since they have a strong Odor. Sometimes, these cockroach deterrents work but often fail to do the job. There are modern pesticides that are safe for humans, and they are ubiquitous nowadays for a reason.

If you want to rid your place of these creepy crawlies, the only way is to get dirty. You need to kill the nice guy and go utterly ballistic on them. You need to show them who is the boss, and unless they are paying the rent and maintaining clear boundaries, they are not welcome in your house. We will share pest control tips to keep these ugly things away from your home for good. Most companies try to provide the wrong cockroach prevention advice when searching for cockroach prevention measures. 

Identify and seal entrances.

What do you do to ensure the thief doesn’t enter your home? You lock the entrance, which is what you do. The same goes for these unwanted guests. If you don’t want them to enter your home, you should first notice the entry points. Identify small holes and paths that lead to the outside. You need to understand that no hole is too small for them. They can come through even tiny cracks and crevices. They can squeeze through everything. You could think of them as Master Yogis.

They will bend and squeeze through tiny holes and spaces into your business or home, ensuring no gaps around your doors, pipes, or utility lines. Get some caulk and weather stripping as soon as you identify these spaces. Use them to create several barriers against any cockroach intrusion. Ensure you thoroughly search for these crevices to seal them and enjoy pest-free living.  

Maintain Hygiene

If you want to eliminate them, you need to think like them! What would you do if you were a cockroach? Come out at night and nibble on that delicious leftover pizza. The homeowner was too lazy to put it away in the trash. Yes, cockroaches are attracted to food. They love eating crumbs and sipping standing water, contaminating everything. Start by being more proactive when maintaining hygiene if you want effective pest management. Proactively maintaining hygiene will allow you to enjoy a cockroach-free environment through effective prevention methods. 

Don’t leave out crumbs and leftovers on the kitchen counter. Make sure that your dining areas are clean by wiping the countertops. Ensure there’s nothing on the floor; if there are spills, waste no time cleaning every last drop possible. If you have leftovers, store them in some airtight containers. If you have a pet, don’t leave pet food outside. It makes no difference to the cockroaches. They will devour both human and pet food. They’d even start nibbling on us if it were left unchecked.

Clear out your home

Don’t keep things that you will never use. If you over-occupy your home, you will create blind spots. Cockroaches can use these spots to breed and live undisturbed. You need to make sure that they cannot hide from your eyes. So, start by decluttering your closets. Make sure that everything is appropriately shelved in your basement. When it comes to your storage rooms, everything must be organized appropriately. Try to avoid piling newspapers and cardboard boxes. These items provide the ideal environments for cockroaches to breed. So, get rid of them to ensure strong cockroach control. 

Regular maintenance

Do you want to make sure that there are no infestations in your home? Then you need to work hard. You will have to perform regular maintenance checks by basically cleaning regularly. This means that you have to vacuum your carpets regularly. You must pick up any crumbs or food particles on the floor. Timely take out the garbage; every trash receptacle must be tightly sealed. You need to inspect every appliance, and if there are any dirt spots, clean them. Amongst the appliances you need to pay special attention to are the fridge and stoves since they have regular contact with food, and it’s where debris accumulates.

Taking it to the next level

At the beginning of this guide, we told you that you must go ballistic to eliminate them. If the above things do not work, the next step is to bring in the big guns. You must find strategic spots to place traps and baits to reduce the cockroach community growing in your house. The most common places where cockroaches are found and where you should set traps and baits are behind appliances and cabinets. You can even use cockroach repellents that are completely safe for human interaction. 

Conclusion

To get rid of cockroaches, you need to be proactive. You will have to commit targeted attacks that focus on eliminating food sources for these pests. You need to block their gateways and maintain high standards of hygiene. If you implement these cockroach prevention strategies, you will prevent cockroach infestations and reduce the population of cockroaches already living in your house. Prevention will always be better than dealing with an infestation after the fact.