Cockroaches have been here for hundreds of millions of years, certainly earning their reputation as indestructible. They also have a reputation of giving us the creeps, and even though they were here first, we don’t have to share our homes with them. Roach infestation can cause illness including food poisoning, dysentery, gastroenteritis, allergic reactions, and asthma, making them very undesirable housemates. Prevention is key to avoiding a cockroach problem, and that means understanding what invites them in the first place. Here’s some information about what attracts cockroaches to your Massachusetts home, and what you can do about it.
Food: Roaches are not picky eaters. They will take crumbs on the floor or countertop, food debris under appliances, leftovers on dishes in the sink, scraps in the trash, you name it. Keep countertops and floors clean, take garbage out regularly, store food in airtight containers, and try to keep pet dishes off the floor to reduce food sources.
Water: Many household pests are attracted to water, and roaches are no exception. Plumbing leaks, standing water, and spills will provide all the moisture that roaches need to thrive. Clean up spills right away, check appliances and plumbing for leaks or clogged drains, and eliminate standing water in sinks or bathtubs.
Warm Shelter: Even a hardy pest like the cockroach needs warmth to survive the winter. Outside your home, they will take up residence in wood piles, decaying trees or stumps, and leaf piles or other yard debris. Inside, roaches may get cozy in walls and rafters, chimneys, cabinets, pipes and drains, basements, and in or around warm appliances. To let househunting cockroaches know they are not welcome, seal any cracks and crevices, close off openings around pipes and utility chases, make sure doors and windows close securely, and keep your home neat and organized.
Cockroaches’ needs are simple, but getting rid of them is not – After all, they haven’t survived this long by being easy to eliminate. The professionals at Burgess Pest are highly trained to identify and treat a roach infestation, and they’re even more persistent than the pests! If you’re currently combatting cockroaches, we can shed some light on the situation with a free estimate.
