It probably comes as no surprise to you that cockroaches are a rather disgusting pest. Most people don’t want to find cockroaches in their homes as they are known for being unsanitary and getting into food. But, truthfully, cockroaches in Tempe, Arizona are even more of a concern than most homeowners realize.
Cockroaches aren’t just a nuisance pest as they can spread many dangerous pathogens to humans. Some of the diseases they transmit include salmonellosis, typhoid fever, cholera, gastroenteritis, dysentery, and E. coli. This means that any food they come into contact with needs to be thrown out and that any surfaces they touch need to be disinfected. And, since cockroaches often live in kitchen areas, the risk of sickness is a real issue.
The other problem with cockroaches is that they can be difficult to prevent. Cockroaches can enter a home through small holes and cracks, and some species can even crawl inside through plumbing.
To protect your home and family from cockroaches, we’ve provided this guide that includes information on how to identify cockroach infestations and what you can do to prevent them.
Signs of Cockroaches
The first place to start when it comes to cockroach control is to establish whether or not you already have an infestation. The best way to do this is by knowing the most common signs of cockroaches which include:
- A strange, musty odor that wasn’t in your home before
- Finding shed skins of cockroaches
- Discovering discarded egg casings which can be cream to dark brown in color
- Seeing brownish smear marks on walls, flooring, and baseboards
- Noticing cockroach droppings that look like pepper or coffee grounds
If you notice any of these signs, the best thing to do is get professional pest control help to remove the infestation. However, if you don’t see any signs, now is a great time to focus on cockroach prevention.
Cockroach Prevention Guide
One of the best ways to prevent cockroaches is too deep clean around your home. As cockroaches love clutter and are drawn to even tiny food crumbs, you should start by focusing on your kitchen. Make sure to clean under heavy appliances, in the back of cupboards, and inside of pantries.
After a deep clean, you should regularly make sure to do the dishes, take out the trash, and sweep and mop. A clean kitchen that doesn’t have spills and crumbs will deter cockroaches. They are also attracted to humid environments, so you can fix excess moisture by using dehumidifiers and fixing leaky faucets.
The other component of cockroach prevention is to make it harder for them to get inside in the first place. While it can be difficult to eliminate all access points, you can take these four steps to make it harder for cockroaches to sneak inside:
- Install door sweeps and weather stripping.
- Place wire mesh over vents.
- Fill cracks in walls and foundation with caulk.
- Regularly clean drains.
The Best Way To Control Cockroaches
If you already have cockroaches on your property, trying to remove them on your own is rarely effective as they are a hardy species that is resistant to many pesticides. They can also hide in many out-of-reach areas and reproduce quickly.
So, instead of wasting time and money on DIY cockroach control, the experts at Arizona Wild provide both prevention and removal through our affordable, reliable residential pest control plans.
Contact us today to request your free quote!