Cockroaches can be a serious problem. If you see cockroaches running around during the day, it might be a sign of a serious infestation, since roaches are nocturnal creatures that feed at night and sleep during the day.
Cockroaches like dark, moist places; this is why they are mostly seen in the kitchen and the bathroom. These insects tend to hide under the toilet, next to the bathroom sink, under the refrigerator, inside the stove, under the kitchen sink, and inside the kitchen cabinets. The most common hiding places for cockroaches to breed are within small wall cracks throughout the home. The professionals at the Local Records Office created a list to get rid of these creepy insects.
1. Signs of Cockroach Infestation
The first sign of a cockroach infestation is droppings. The feces from this insect look similar to black crushed pepper or coffee grains. The feces of larger roaches resemble cylindrical droppings. If you find droppings the size of a raisin, you may have a mouse problem. Another sign of a cockroach infestation is the presence of shell casings; these shells provide a clear indication of an insect problem.
2. The Bad Smell
A bad odor may be caused because of the many dead cockroaches nearby. Don’t be afraid to sniff around to try to locate the area where these insects go to die. The odor will be of a strong oily or musty smell that usually comes from between the cabinets or moist areas.
3. How to Prevent a Cockroach Infestation
Preventing a home cockroach infestation is not difficult. Since cockroaches can survive in the harshest conditions there will be a few steps you will need to do to get rid of those critters.
4. Block Any Food Sources
The most effective way to control a cockroach infestation is to block access to any type of food. Don’t leave out food while cooking, throw away scraps that you are not using, and clean countertops and stovetops with disinfecting wipes, dish detergent, and water. If roaches don’t have anything to eat, they will not have a reason to come out every night.
Leaving food, crumbs, and trash without covering it will attract cockroaches by the hundreds.
5. Block Any Liquid Sources
Food isn’t the only thing you need to clean, you need to clean and wipe down any source of liquid including water in glasses, water drops, juice, beer, soda, and anything that these insects will drink. The better you block the food and liquid sources the better chance you will see less and less of them.
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6. Store Food Away
Wiping counters isn’t enough, you will need to store food in the refrigerator or put it in a sealed container. It’s a known fact that cockroaches will chew through the plastic to get to the food. The most common food roaches and mice like is the bread and peanut butter so make sure they are stored away in a safe place.
7. Declutter
Roaches like to hide behind cluttered areas, the darker the area is the better of a home it is for roaches. Clean areas that haven’t been cleaned in months. Cockroaches will hide in cracks and holes inside shelves, this will give them easy access to crumbs and half-opened snack bags.
8. Pipes and Drains
Drains and pipes are cockroaches ’ best friends; pipes will have water, leftover food, and temporary housing. The best thing to do is to clean your drains with bleach and dish detergent and cover the drain with a drain cover after cleaning, this will ensure that roaches inside the pipes will not come back up.
Where Do Cockroaches Come From?
Cockroaches are ancient insects that have been around for millions of years, originating during the Carboniferous period. Today, there are thousands of species worldwide, with a few common ones thriving in human habitats. These adaptable pests often migrate into homes and buildings from their natural outdoor environments, such as leaf litter, woodpiles, and decaying organic matter. They enter through cracks, crevices, vents, and sometimes with carried-in items like grocery bags or boxes. Once inside, they seek out warm, moist areas with access to food, making residential and commercial kitchens and bathrooms ideal for them to settle and multiply.