It won’t be wrong for me to say that there’s hardly anything more frustrating than pest infestations.
From damaged books, wallpapers, and clothes to spoilt food, the problems are just never-ending. And if it’s American cockroaches, then you have hit the unlucky jackpot! You might not realize that you’re already sharing your home with these annoying and potentially dangerous pests. Hence, it’s important to adopt both preventative and countering methods.
The good news is that there are quite a few things you can do at home to hinder their infestation from the get-go. Even if they have entered your premises, it might not require you to hire professional help right away.
So, when my cousin told me that she wanted to try something at home to eliminate these cockroaches before calling pest control services, I decided to help her out.
Subsequently, I thought it’s a good idea to share these simple yet effective measures with my readers. Hi! I’m Stacy, and today, I have curated this extensive guide on how to get rid of American cockroach species.
Let’s dive in, then!
American cockroach (or palmetto bugs) is one of the largest species in the cockroach kingdom, measuring about 1.5 to 2 inches long. Although the entire body of these insects has a reddish-brown color, you may observe some light markings on the upper body.
Another thing to know is that despite preferring to live outdoors (in hollow trees or mulch piles), they move indoors for food and water and shield themselves from extreme temperatures. You will mostly find them in groups in moist and warm areas, like sewers, drainage pipes, etc.
Not only that, but they are also capable of creating a large population pretty quickly, as the female cockroaches can lay up to 14 egg capsules (called ootheca), each containing up to 16 eggs. Besides, females tend to lay their egg capsules near food and attach them to the adjoining surfaces.
Given their long life (ranging from 3 months to almost 2 years), it needs quite some persistence and a mix of chemical and non-chemical methods to eliminate them. And in the following sections, I’ll walk you through a few of the most effective strategies.
Like most pests, American cockroaches find a way to your home through cracks and crevices in the doors and windows. Hence, you should seal any such potential entryway using some silicone-based caulk. Alternatively, weatherstripping the house can be a more effective prevention, allowing you to complete the job in one go.
As I have mentioned before, moist areas are among the favorite thriving spots for these pests. That’s why it’s crucial to keep your home free from stagnant water, which is often a result of pipe or drain leaks. So, keep an eye on such possibilities and get them fixed without delay.
Once the leaks are fixed, place mesh screens over floor drains and sink openings to prevent the cockroaches from entering the drains.
Make sure that you keep the dining table, countertops, and food prep surfaces absolutely clean and free from food particles. Store both cooked and uncooked meat and vegetables in airtight containers, and throw away anything sitting uncovered.
It goes without saying that maintaining proper sanitation throughout your home is highly beneficial to avoid harboring American cockroaches. For instance, dispose of old cardboard boxes, paper stacks, and any such materials where they can hide.
Replace your open trash can with one that has a lid, and store garbage in sealable bags. Apart from that, keep the pet feeder containers clean and store them in cupboards when not in use.
Insecticide sprays are one of the most common chemical treatments to eliminate American cockroaches. By following the manufacturer's dosage instructions, spray it near the baseboards of probable entry points like doors, windows, and on the corners of the garage or the basement. Similarly, cover the exterior perimeter of the house for dual protection.
You can also apply insecticide dust using a hand duster on compact corners like underneath the faucets, inside cupboards or drawers, around electrical fittings, appliances, door and window frames, etc.
In this regard, insecticide dust containing boric acid is a popular choice. As the pests crawl over the treated surfaces, the substance sticks to their legs and antennas, which eventually enters their body during preening. However, make sure you don’t use a lot of dust since cockroaches tend to avoid areas with heavy dust accumulation.
Likewise, if there is accumulated mulch in the yard or lawn, I’d suggest sprinkling some insecticide granules near it.
Insecticide baits can be used near the base of the house, both indoors and outdoors, to kill cockroaches quickly.
If you have noticed them around the boundary of your home or entering via the attic (primarily due to overgrown trees or dirty attic gutters), apply insecticide baits in accordance with the recommended dosage. Here, I should mention that most baits require reapplication every 3 months for the best results.
In simple terms, an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) is a chemical that prevents the growth of the eggs and larvae from further development. It’s usually available in aerosol sprays, concentrated liquid, and tablet forms and should be applied once every 4 to 6 weeks, for up to 6 months.
With that, I hope I have provided you with ample viable options to get rid of these cringe-worthy creatures.
But before I wrap up today’s guide, here’s a protip – immediately start off with the chemical methods once you have spotted the cockroaches in and around your home. Simultaneously, use one (or all) of the non-chemical measures to control and restrict their activity.
I’ll be back another day with more such guides. Till then, stay clean and safe!
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