Cockroaches are one of those pests that cause people to shudder. Once they are entrenched, they seem to be everywhere. Sometimes you don’t even realize you have roaches until you turn on a light at night and see the dreaded pests scatter.
Probably the worst consequence of a roach invasion is that it makes your house feel dirty. You are afraid they’ll come out when you have company. You leave the lights on at night because it seems to keep them away, but they are still there, and you know it.
Common Roaches in South Texas
The most common roaches in South Texas are the American cockroach and German cockroaches. Studies have found that German cockroaches spend their entire lives indoors, making it hard to get them out of your home once they’ve entered it. In order to get rid of cockroaches and control an infestation, you have to know what attracts them.
What Attracts These Disgusting Pests To Your Home
Regardless of the type of bug or insect, they’re just like you in the sense that they need food and water. South Texas is known for having a warm and humid client, which may lead these pests to find comfort in your cool home and snacks along the way.
Roaches especially are attracted to:
Crumbs and dirty dishes
They can also snack on the smallest debris of food or leftover crumbs so it’s best to complete a thorough cleaning of toasters, ovens, microwaves, and your stove.
Garbage
Garbage gives roaches extremely easy access to extra food, water, and an easy place to hide. Leaving trash bags out or in your garage is a big attractant for these pests so be sure to discard and dispose of bags, cardboard, and newspapers.
Spilled pet food
There’s a lot of protein in pet food and the smell can easily be picked up by their antennae, leading the pests right to your pet’s bowl. It’s best to properly seal all bags, dispose of leftover dog or cat food and sweep up extra crumbs laying around.
Excess moisture
Because most cockroaches come from humid climates, they desire to return to environments with these same conditions. These pests can’t survive for too long without water, so standing water in the sink, near basements, and anywhere in your home there may be excess moisture is somewhere they will most likely head for.
How Roaches Enter Your Home
Roaches can enter your home through the tiniest of cracks and spaces.
Most often they can come through:
Cracks and crevices
Sealing windows and doors are often forgotten about by many homeowners. Older vents and door openings may have loosened over the length of the life of the home, weakening the integrity of its structure and creating new openings.
Damaged vents and pipes
Older vents and pipes can lose their hold over time, so it’s important to consistently check for openings beneath sinks and air conditioning vents.
Stealing a ride
Though it’s not as common, sometimes roaches can lay eggs in old furniture or wooden tables that have been stored in sheds or garages and ride on them right into your home when you decide to move them.
How To Properly Get Rid of Roaches
If you want to get rid of these pests for good, you should practice the use of:
Thoroughly cleaning your home
Cleaning your home doesn’t have to be difficult, just be sure to throw away any excess opened food and sweep crumbs away from trash cans.
Take out the garbage
Taking the smallest steps can be the biggest preventative measure in making sure your home stays free from infestations.
Call a Professional!
When all else fails, don’t let roaches infest your life, call the professionals. Bugmobiles has been exterminating pests from commercial and residential properties since 1954. Give us a call at 361-575-6401 and let us solve your pest problem today!
