When you see cockroaches in your home, you rarely see more than one at a time. But that doesn’t mean they don’t invade homes in large numbers; it simply means they’re careful about avoiding human interaction. Many homeowners make the mistake of thinking it’s just one cockroach randomly finding its way inside. However, one cockroach can be a very good sign that you’ve incurred an infestation that could be impossible to get rid of on your own.
Roaches Running Wild
The common cockroaches that invade Phoenix homes do not only invade in large numbers; they are also naturally tough, making them double the trouble to get rid of. You see, roaches have a very strong and flexible exoskeleton, allowing them to withstand pressure around 900 times their body weight; simply put, if you want to squash them, you’ll need to put some serious effort into it. This flexible shell also allows them to flatten their bodies to squeeze through all sorts of cracks and crevices, allowing them to run wild within your walls.
Unfortunately, their formidability is not their most troubling characteristic, not by a long shot. Many people think roaches just look nasty, but it’s way more than looks. Roaches carry dangerous bacteria from their typical habitats (sewers and landfills) into your home. As they scour your house for food, they’ll spread this bacteria to everything you frequently touch and (even more concerning) your meal preparation areas as well. They also secrete a pathogen as they move around that most people are allergic to. That’s why more severe roach infestations result in all sorts of respiratory problems and also dangerous diseases like salmonella or E. coli.
Proper Prevention Habits
While getting rid of a cockroach infestation can be incredibly difficult, keeping them out is just as hard. Since they can slide through so many different openings in and around your home, the best preventative measures don’t attempt to keep them out. Rather, they focus on limiting the attraction roaches have toward your home. Ways to do this include:
- Addressing moisture issues to reduce moisture buildup that attracts roaches
- Storing food and trash promptly and properly to limit easily accessible food sources
- Cleaning regularly in both the high and low-traffic areas of the house
- Sealing up cracks and crevices around the property to prevent easy access
- Caring for the lawn so as to limit moisture buildup in the yard
- Doing the dishes every night (as leaving crumbs in the sink can attract an infestation)
- Applying weather stripping to all exterior doors
- Monitoring screened areas carefully for holes, tears, or separations from the frame
- Picking up clutter around the home to reduce potential hiding places
Eradication Errors
While these steps can drastically improve your chances of avoiding an infestation, there is no way to guarantee that your own prevention strategies will be effective all year-round. The same is true for any methods you might use to get rid of an existing infestation. Plenty of homeowners can recognize the signs of a roach infestation early. They’ll leave dark, pepper-like droppings in your closets and pantries, and you might notice a musty odor. Plus, since roaches are nocturnal and afraid of people, seeing one during the day is a sure sign of an infestation.
However, most homeowners make the mistake of thinking they can get rid of roaches themselves. Since they are so numerous and so formidable, your home remedies for roach eradication probably won’t be effective, increasing your chances of getting sick. The best way to protect yourself and your family from the dangers of a cockroach infestation is with professional help. Call White Knight Pest Control to take care of all your pest problems.