Have you ever flipped on your kitchen light at night only to see the scurry of a dreaded cockroach? These creepy critters multiply at an exceedingly fast rate and love to invade your kitchen, bathroom, and any living space where they might find food or water. These persistent pests are one of the most common insects to invade your home, and can also be one of the hardest to exterminate. So how do you get rid of a heavy roach infestation?
Along with some helpful tips on how to get rid of roaches, let’s also talk about some easy steps you can take to prevent an infestation from starting. Even though cockroaches have a bad reputation for being difficult to eliminate, with the proper knowledge, your house can most definitely become cockroach-free. But if you need help with your roach infestation you can see our pricing here.
How Do You Know if You Have a Roach Infestation?
It is not uncommon to have a roach problem and never actually see one in your home. Nocturnal creatures, roaches sleep during the day and go out at night, foraging for food. There are some signs that can help you identify an infestation, you just have to know what to look for.
1. Cockroach Droppings
Droppings in your home from any rodent or pest are never a good sign. Small cockroaches leave droppings that resemble ground coffee or black pepper. Larger roaches have droppings that are cylindrical in shape with blunt ends.
2. Unusual Odor
When an infestation has been in place for a long period of time, it produces a very unpleasant odor. The musty smell taints any items the roaches come in contact with.
3. Damage
Cockroaches will eat just about anything. So, signs of damage to things like the bindings on books or leather are often seen with an infestation. Damage to food packages in your pantry or pet food in your garage are other key indicators.
4. Smudges and Smear Marks
Keep your eyes open for marks on your horizontal surfaces or where cockroaches are active. If they have access to water, they leave behind unsightly, brown streaks.
5. Eggs
Cockroaches lay their eggs in a capsule that holds several eggs inside. These eggs are never a happy discovery in your home. They are an indicator that the roaches nearby are breeding.
Can Dubia Roaches Infest Your House?
Dubia roaches are a medium to large cockroach species that are popular for collectors and are used as food for lizards and tarantulas. People worry that if these roaches escape their enclosure in their home, that they will start an infestation. Fortunately, this isn’t the case. Dubia roaches need higher temperatures and humidity than your house is able to provide, to survive.
How to Stop a Roach Infestation
- Clean Your Home
It may seem all too obvious, but the first step to getting rid of roaches is to thoroughly clean your house. Roaches are attracted to dirt and filth because they are always on the hunt for new food sources. Mop and vacuum on a regular basis, wipe off grease and crumbs from kitchen appliances, seal food in containers, and get rid of clutter.
- Glue Traps
One method that has proven to be effective is to buy glue traps that can be found at your local supermarket. They use a scent to attract roaches and in turn, the pests get caught in the glue and can’t escape. These devices can take several weeks to see results so don’t expect them overnight.
- Liquid Concentrate Sprays
There is a liquid concentrate available that when diluted, can be sprayed into the cracks and crevices where roaches love to hide. This solution can also be used to mop your floors and wipe your counters. This is a very effective method, with much faster results than traps.
- Boric Acid
If you are up for the DIY approach, boric acid is the best home remedy to kill roaches. You simply mix equal amounts of boric acid, flour, and sugar to make a dough. Place these balls of dough around your home or business where cockroaches will come out to feed on it. Roaches can’t resist the flour and sugar but ingesting the boric acid will kill them. Keep in mind that boric acid can be extremely dangerous if you have pets in the home.
- Chemical Baits
Another effective method for getting rid of roaches includes utilizing store-bought baits. These insecticides are sprinkled in areas where roaches frequent, and because they are disguised as food, are eaten by the roaches. The insects then return to their nests and die. Other roaches eat them which spreads the poison to the rest of the nest.
Call a Professional Pest Control Service
A roach infestation is nothing to take lightly. But, these pests are extremely persistent, and sometimes no matter what you do, you can’t shake them. If you’ve tried several methods and are still seeing roaches, contact a professional pest control service in your area. At Vinx Pest Control, we offer solutions for getting rid of cockroaches and will go about it in the safest way possible.
We offer a variety of pest control services to help you get the treatment you want and need. Whether you’re a homeowner, business owner, or builder, we’ve got pest control plans for your situation. Contact us today to get a free quote in the Greenville, Charleston, or Dallas, TX areas! We also serve the Sulphur Springs area in Texas.
Do You Have To Leave The House For Pest Control?
Roach Infestation Prevention
The number one reason any kind of pest enters your home is to find a food or water source. There are several specific things in your home they are attracted to. So, if you can spend some time eliminating or avoiding these specifics, you can stop your pest problem before it starts.
- Avoid leaving pet food on the floor, especially overnight.
- Be sure to clean all dirty dishes in or around your sink.
- Routinely wipe down kitchen counters and appliances to remove any sticky residue.
- Clean up any crumbs left behind from meals on the countertops, table, or floor.
- Cover all leftover food in empty cans or containers and seal tightly.
- Take care of any leaks that could leave behind water damage and excess moisture. Under the kitchen and bathroom, sinks or basement drains are the first places to check.
- Put tight-fitting lids on all garbage cans.
- Seal all cracks around windows, doors, foundation, and roof at least once a year. Use caulk to seal small ones and steel wool or foam for larger gaps.
- Eliminate cardboard boxes and newspapers from laying around. They are both a breeding ground for roaches.
- Clear all clutter, leaving fewer places for roaches to hide.
How many roaches is considered an infestation?
Determining the number of roaches in your home or business is never easy. But, if you do have an infestation, your home is very attractive to pests, which isn’t a good thing!
Professional pest control services can examine your space and do their best to categorize your problem. If you have 5 roaches or fewer, it can be defined as a light infestation. If the numbers are raised between 10-25, it can now be classified as moderate. But, if the number exceeds 25, it is classified as a heavy infestation. Keep in mind that for every few roaches you see, there are dozens more hiding that you don’t know about.
Roaches will invade your home as long as it meets their needs. They are sneaky and persistent and will find a way into your property at all costs.