Ten Handy Cockroach Prevention Tips For Virginia Property Owners

Cockroaches are filthy pests that can make you sick. They are linked to the spread of more than 33 kinds of bacteria, seven human pathogens, and six parasitic worms. They've also increase hospital visits for asthma-related symptoms. It is best not to allow these insects to live in your Virginia home. The cockroaches that are common to Virginia are German, American, European, and wood cockroaches. Here are ten handy cockroach prevention tips to help you protect yourself and everyone else in your home from illness.

1. Manage Your Trash

Cockroaches eat rotting organic matter found in trash. If you don't manage your trash properly, you not only provide a food source for cockroaches, you can lure them to your home by the smell.

• Remove your trash from your property weekly.

• Keep your trash receptacles as clean as possible.

• Bag items that decay quickly (such as fish) in a plastic bag before putting it in your trash.

2. Clean Spills Up Quickly

There are many ways juices or liquids can become an attractant for cockroaches. You may spill some juice on the counter, and it could drip onto the floor. You may set a trash bag down on a floor, leaving a moist spot after placing the trash outside. Be aware that decaying juices will make cockroaches want to live with you.

3. Clean Your Recyclables

Before cockroaches get into your home, they may live in your garage. There are many things you can put in your garage that will create a cockroach-attracting scent. Recyclables are one of them. Be sure to clean bottles and cans before you put them in the bin to be recycled.

4. Deep Cleaning

Cockroaches prefer tight spaces. When they get into your kitchen, they'll move around in places you can't see. One place they like to hang out in is the space between your oven and the wall. Make sure the sides of your over are clean. Doing so will reduce an important attractant.

5. Don't Leave Food Out

There are many ways you might leave food out for cockroaches. Some are obvious. Others are not so obvious.

• Put food down for your cat or dog only during mealtimes and never overnight.

• Put fruit in the fridge rather than on display.

• Put dishes in a sink of soapy water, rather than next to the sink or in a dry sink.

• Vacuum your couch to remove food particles under the cushions or refrain from eating on the couch.

• Clean under your toaster.

6. Seal Potential Entry Points

When cockroaches explore your exterior walls, make it as difficult as possible for those roaches to get in. Here are a few tips:

• Replace damaged doors sweeps.

• Make sure there are no gaps in your weatherstripping.

• Fix your door and window screens.

• Fill in gaps around pipes that pass through your foundation walls.

• Seal cracks in your foundation walls.

• Repair damaged window panes.

7. Remove Sticks And Wood Debris

Do you know that cockroaches like yards with lots of organic clutter? Keeping your yard free of sticks, leaves, and wood debris can reduce cockroach activity. This is especially true of wood roaches.

8. Move Wood Stacks

Consider moving it away if you have firewood, construction materials, or other wood sources near your home. It also helps to elevate the stack.

9. Reduce Light

Some cockroach species are attracted to light. If you want fewer cockroaches exploring your exterior at night, keep lights off where it is not a security concern, and draw your curtains to hide the light at night. This tip also helps reduce a wide range of other insects. It is worth taking the time to do it. You may also replace white lights with yellow lights, which aren't as attractive to insects. 

10. Residential Pest Control

There is no better way to reduce cockroaches and keep them out of your Virginia home than to invest in a pest control plan. Reach out to All Pest Control & Solutions for advice or assistance with all your pest control needs. We're here to help!