I’ve lived in North Carolina for over 20 years, and I’ve had my fair share of encounters with cockroaches.
These things will do anything to get inside, and they’re good at it. I’ve personally seen them sneak through old air conditioning units, slip under doors, and come up through shower drains. After I started college, I was walking home from class and, I kid you not, there was this guy who was climbing up a 10-foot wall.
Unfortunately, the adaptability and resilience of cockroaches can make them difficult to eradicate once they have entered your home. Even if your home is perfectly clean, cockroaches can invade if they have regular access to water, food, and shelter.
Learn what you need to know about getting rid of cockroaches and when to call a pest control professional.
How to get rid of cockroaches
Not every cockroach sighting means a full-blown infestation. Cockroaches can enter through cracks in doors and windows, pipes, etc. In such cases, you can kill the cockroaches one by one by touching them with an aerosol spray.
but, Prevention is often the best defense. Seal gaps around windows and doors, fix leaks, and eliminate food and standing water as much as possible.
If you see cockroaches frequently, it could be a sign of a cockroach infestation. If caught early, gel baits can be a homely way to target not only visible cockroaches, but also cockroaches in their hiding places.
However, professional treatment is often required to resolve the infestation. Once an infestation begins, it multiplies rapidly and is difficult to manage and remove without professional treatment.
“Effective control begins with calling in a qualified pest control professional to identify the species, determine what attracts the pests, and eradicate the source,” says Laura Rosenwald, a certified entomologist and associate director of education and training for the National Pest Management Association (NPMA).
Why do cockroaches come into the house?
Cockroaches invade the sink drain
Cockroaches are coming in and out of the sink drain in my house.
Cockroaches enter your home in search of food, water, and a stable temperature. You may think that cockroaches are only attracted to dirty homes, but that’s a misconception.
“Bread crumbs and overflowing trash can certainly add to a property’s appeal, but something as simple as condensation under the refrigerator, a slow leak from the pipes under the kitchen sink, or a cardboard box stored in a warm garage can be enough to encourage an infestation,” says Nick Ferrante Jr., a certified entomologist with Excel Pest Services.
Also, cockroaches are very opportunistic, so it won’t take long to keep them in your home. “They prefer food scraps and other organic matter, but some species will eat unexpected things like soap, glue, and even toothpaste, if available,” Rosenwald says. Therefore, cockroaches can breed even if your home is well-maintained.
How cockroaches enter your home
The method of invasion varies depending on the type of cockroach. Rosenwald said German cockroaches often enter through things like grocery bags, cardboard boxes, electronics and used furniture. Oriental and American cockroaches often enter through cracks under doors and openings around utility pipes and drains.
How to tell if you have a cockroach infestation
Large, dark-colored cockroaches may roam indoors. Finding one in your home, especially near a doorway, does not automatically indicate an intrusion.
However, repeated sightings or other signs are worth investigating. Here are some indicators that an infestation is established in your home.
- I see cockroaches during the day It could be a sign that there’s more lurking beneath the surface. Cockroaches are usually active at night, so sightings during the day may indicate overcrowding and competition for food and hiding places.
- I see cockroaches over and over again in the same place. It may also mean there is a large nesting area nearby.
- Find egg cases or feces that resemble pepper or coffee grounds Usually means the population is reproducing. Ferrante explains that even a small infestation can multiply quickly, as one egg case can spawn 30 to 40 cockroaches.
- residual musty odor It can come from a mixture of feces, saliva, body oils, shed skin, and pheromones left behind by large numbers of cockroaches. Reaching this stage usually means the infestation is well established.
If you suspect a pest infestation, consider contacting a pest specialist as soon as possible. “In my experience, addressing the problem early almost always leads to a faster and more direct solution than waiting until the infestation is established,” Ferrante says.
Are cockroaches dangerous?
Cockroaches can pose a health threat to your home and are associated with the spread of bacteria, parasites, and human pathogens. That’s because “they crawl through sewage, garbage, and decaying matter, and they pick up bacteria on their feet and bodies,” Rosenwald said. “Those germs can then be transferred to food, countertops, and other countertop surfaces.”
Not only can cockroaches spread disease, but they can also negatively impact indoor air quality. “Allergens found in cockroach saliva, feces, and dead cockroaches can cause allergic reactions and asthma symptoms, especially in children,” Rosenwald says.
professional cockroach treatment
Professional cockroach treatment is effective because it combines several methods to address the root cause of the infestation. These include commercial grade sprays that kill adult cockroaches on contact and insect growth control agents that stop the reproductive cycle.
“Successful long-term management requires an integrated pest management (IPM) approach that combines sanitation, exclusion, moisture reduction, monitoring, and targeted baiting,” Ferrante says. “Addressing the environmental conditions that create cockroaches is just as important as getting rid of the insects themselves.”
How to prevent cockroaches from coming back
There are several steps you can take to make your home cockroach-free. Rosenwald recommends the following to prevent cockroaches from returning:
- Don’t leave dirty dishes or food out overnight
- Wipe down counters, floors, and under appliances regularly
- take out trash frequently
- Run a dehumidifier in humid basements and small spaces
- Seal cracks and gaps in the exterior walls of your home
- vacuum regularly
- Store foods such as groceries and pet food in airtight containers.
- Repair water leaks under sinks and appliances
- Inspect grocery bags and cardboard boxes before bringing them indoors
Common mistakes when getting rid of cockroaches
If you have a cockroach infestation, the biggest mistake is not addressing the root of the problem. “What many virus hacks have in common is that they focus on repelling visible insects in people’s eyes rather than eliminating hidden populations,” Ferrante says.
These hacks include mixing baking soda and sugar, placing bay leaves around cabinets and under appliances, and using essential oils to repel cockroaches.
These tricks may deter cockroach infestations in some locations and influence cockroach behavior, but they are unlikely to solve the underlying problem. “Cockroaches spend most of their lives in secluded locations, so treating just a cockroach that happens to wander into the wild is unlikely to make a meaningful difference,” Ferrante said.
When to contact a pest control professional
If you find multiple cockroaches in your home or see other signs of an infestation, you should call a professional.
Cockroach infestations can be difficult to manage without professional intervention, especially once the infestation becomes established.
This is especially true for German cockroaches. Because German cockroaches are smaller and paler in color than American cockroaches, they “reproduce quickly, hide in small spaces, and can be difficult to control,” Rosenwald says.
A pest control professional can help you determine why you have cockroaches in your home and develop a multi-faceted plan to get rid of them. “Understanding why they are able to survive in the first place will ultimately lead to long-term control,” Ferrante says.
FAQ
What is the fastest way to get rid of cockroaches?
The quickest way to get rid of cockroaches is to eliminate as much food, water, and hiding places as possible while using targeted treatments such as insecticides and insect growth regulators. This will help eliminate the root cause of the problem, slowing reproduction and killing the adults.
Why do cockroaches suddenly appear in my house?
Cockroaches enter homes through cracks in search of moisture, food sources, and hiding places. They can also enter through luggage, shopping bags, used furniture and appliances, or plumbing lines. Once cockroaches are introduced, they reproduce rapidly. If you see multiple cockroaches in your home, it is best to call a pest control professional.
Is it possible to have cockroaches even if your house is clean?
yes. Cockroaches can survive in your home as long as they have access, food, water, and hiding places. “Finding cockroaches should not be seen as a reflection of someone’s housekeeping,” Ferrante says. “I have inspected immaculate homes where cockroaches have survived due to hidden plumbing leaks and neighbor infestations in common buildings.”
Will cockroaches disappear on their own?
In general, no. As long as cockroaches have what they need to survive, their numbers can grow rapidly and they usually do not become extinct without professional intervention.
