Preventing Cockroaches
Cockroaches! Nothing sends shivers up more people’s spines when it comes to pests more readily than a cockroach. These tough little insects are durable survivors, and for many places in North America they are a way of life. While the thought of having cockroaches around may send people into a panic or get a hospitality residence severely downgraded, the fact is that cockroaches will probably always be around, and it is impossible to get rid of every single cockroach in a home.
Integrated pest management seeks to learn lessons from years of overused and ineffective toxic insecticide use and to approach pest control in a much less harmful way. If an infestation is under way, integrated pest management calls for several ways of dealing with it, but the key in many cases is to use steps that prevent pest populations from getting out of control. In part, the successful implementation of this strategy will involve an understanding of the biology and habits of the particular pest in question. Here are some ways in which you can control cockroach numbers.
* Deny them their shelter. Cockroaches are furtive insects, preferring to spend the day out of sight. They are very effective when it comes to finding shelter, hiding in cracks the are just fractions of an inch in width. In fact, you can find large numbers of cockroaches stuffed into the tiniest spaces, and perhaps that is one of the things that creeps us out so much about them. A great way to keep cockroach numbers under control is to seal up any cracks in your home with caulking. The most important areas to caulk are those that are the closest to sources of food for the cockroach, bathrooms and kitchens.
* Look for other hiding spots. Sealing off cracks doesn’t mean that cockroaches have nowhere else to hide. Anywhere that provides a dark spot is a potential cockroach home and should be checked and blocked off; this includes underneath cabinets and in motor housings. You should also ensure that your baseboards are tightly nailed to the wall.
* Don’t leave food sources available! Cockroaches are very active at night, and that means people living in areas where cockroaches are found will have to refrain from leaving food out. Put it in the fridge, and make sure it is still sealed tightly!
* Sanitation. Home owners have to be diligent about their daily tasks in areas where cockroaches breed; if you don’t want them multiplying in your home, make sure to take out your household garbage very single night, kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom!
* Cleaning. Tiny molecules of food are enough to keep a cockroach alive for months, so make sure that you clean on a regular basis. Sweep or wipe up any spills, and every month clean in unusual areas like behind and underneath the oven and the fridge.