Let’s be honest. The thought of a cockroach infestation is horrifying. The last thing you want to see when you flick on your kitchen light at night is a swarm of scurrying roaches. Moreover, since they’re usually indicative of an unclean environment, the sight of a cockroach can be embarrassing when you have guests around. Even worse, cockroaches carry all sorts of bacteria that can contaminate your food, kitchen utensils, and surfaces, leading to food poisoning or other diseases.
Regardless of the reason, it ‘ s necessary to know how to deal with a cockroach infestation and prevent it in the first place.
How do you know if you have a cockroach infestation?
Cockroaches are nocturnal and prefer dark, humid environments. Their natural tendency to find dark, hard-to-reach spots to breed makes it challenging to spot an infestation until a significant population is already established. Therefore, if you see cockroaches out and about during the day, it ‘ s a good sign that quite a few more are lurking out at night when you’re asleep.
Another sure sign of a cockroach infestation is the presence of roach droppings. Their small black droppings have a similar appearance to ground pepper or coffee grounds. Keep an eye out for droppings in kitchen cabinets or your pantry – a strong, musty odor often accompanies them.
Make sure you check the following places for nests or other signs of infestation: kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements.
How to deal with a cockroach infestation
Fortunately, there are many things you can do that will help end your cockroach problem. If you are only dealing with a few roaches, prevention techniques and home remedies will probably do the trick. However, if the infestation has grown into a sizable problem, it’ s best to call in a professional.
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Eliminate things that attract cockroaches
While cockroaches can sometimes appear in even the cleanest of spaces, they’re more often a sign of unhygienic conditions. Make sure to get rid of the garbage right away, keep floors clean of crumbs and other debris, and wash dirty dishes before they pile up in the sink. While you’ re at it, tighten up any leaking pipes- roaches love moist environments.
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Baits, pesticides, and traps
There are many different types of roach deterrents on the market. Some of the most popular are toxic gel bait, boric acid powder, and sticky traps. All bait applications require knowing where to place the bait properly, and so you need to be precise.
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Hire a professional
For severe infestations or to prevent a situation from arising in the future, hire a professional pest management service. When all else fails, trust the pest control experts to evaluate the root causes and develop the best strategy for eliminating your roach infestation once and for all. If you’ re located in Colorado Springs and need a professional pest management solution, give Mug-A-Bug a call.