Advanced Pest Control Systems

How to Get Rid of Roaches

Roaches are undoubtedly gross, but they’re more common than you think – and can even invade clean and tidy homes. Aside from being completely unappealing, the presence of cockroaches in your home or business can create a health risk. They can spread bacteria and transmit it to food, causing illness and allergic and asthmatic reactions.

The most common cockroach in St. Louis is the German cockroach, but the American and Oriental types are also frequently seen. German cockroaches grow to about an inch long and are light brown or tan with two black stripes on their back. They have six legs, a pair of antennae, and wings rarely ever used to fly.

German cockroaches have short life cycles (egg to adult in less than 90 days) and an impressive reproductive cycle that allows females to produce 400 eggs in a lifetime. That creates high volumes of tiny pests in a short amount of time.

PestShield Van

Cockroaches leave evidence of their infestation through droppings in the areas where they eat and live; their feces are small and brownish. Also, look for egg casings; female roaches carry them around for a few days after their offspring hatches. 

You can also smell German cockroach infestations; it’s a foul, musty odor that happens when groups of roaches congregate. This will likely occur in pantries, garages, storage and attic spaces, and crawl spaces underneath the house. These areas are dark and damp and perfect for a roach home.

How Do I Get Rid of Roaches?

The best approach to avoiding an infestation is a hybrid strategy that involves preventive measures and the help of pest control professionals. Whether it’s commercial or residential, experts will be able to assess the situation and your needs and offer actionable tips on how to stay pest-free.

Keeping cockroaches out of your home lays the groundwork for prevention. Gaps in windows and doors, any vents that allow access outside, and even chimneys are access points for roaches to walk right in and set up shop.

If you spot signs of a roach infestation, inspect your entire home, especially the roach hotspots of kitchens and bathrooms. You can use chemical-free roach tape to tram any pests and get an idea of where they’re traveling to and from. Once you have a better idea of where the cockroaches are spending their time, you can do further repairs to pest-proof your home.

This is the point when you should call in the pest control experts. They’ll provide the most effective and efficient approach to dealing with the infestation safely and quickly. Pest control professionals will also lay out a maintenance plan to keep roaches out for good.

Cockroaches

Before your visit from your pest control partner, get your home into top shape. While it’s a common misconception that roaches only visit “dirty” homes, it’s more accurate to say that roaches love all homes that offer food and water. Seal up food, clean your kitchen and bathrooms thoroughly, and take care of any sources of excess moisture — like leaky plumbing. 

When you clean up and cut off the food source for roaches, you’ll force them to eat the gel bait that professionals put out to exterminate the infestation. Keeping that source cut off and maintaining your home cleaning and roach-proofing efforts will help keep the pests away. Have your pest professionals come back regularly to inspect for any problems.

Think you may have a roach infestation that needs attention from the professionals? We can give you a free quote for cockroach control services in your home or business that will keep pests away, so get in touch with our team today!