Discovering cockroaches in your home is never pleasant. These pests not only spread potentially dangerous diseases but can also cause significant damage to your property. Unfortunately, eliminating them can be quite challenging. In an exclusive conversation with Onions Australia, Ben Hottel, an entomologist with Orkin, explained the complexities involved in cockroach extermination. “Eradicating roaches and preventing their return is a continuous effort, not just a single treatment. These pests are highly adaptable and may resist some DIY extermination methods, making them particularly difficult to manage.”
Given the health risks and property damage cockroaches pose, along with the difficulty of removing them, it’s vital to avoid errors that can complicate the process. We consulted with Hottel to identify common mistakes homeowners make when addressing a cockroach infestation and how to effectively combat these pests. He highlighted three major mistakes to avoid: using incorrect products, improper application of insecticides, and neglecting essential cleaning and maintenance tasks.
Mistakes that can make a cockroach problem harder to control
One significant error Hottel emphasizes is using ineffective insecticides. “Many over-the-counter products fail against cockroaches, especially if they are hiding in difficult-to-reach spots unknown to the homeowner,” he exclusively shared with Onions Australia. Choosing an effective insecticide and knowing its appropriate application is crucial. “Repellents typically don’t solve cockroach problems. Instead, they disperse cockroaches to other parts of the home, worsening the infestation,” Hottel warned.
Allowing your home to become cluttered and dirty is another mistake that invites cockroaches. “Cockroaches thrive with access to food, standing water, and clutter,” Hottel explained. Unsealed pantry items, leaky pipes, piles of laundry, and other messes unknowingly attract cockroaches. “Without addressing these factors, infestations may persist despite other control measures,” Hottel cautioned.
The best ways to get rid of cockroaches
While some pest control tasks can be tackled independently, others are best handled by professionals. Hottel advises leaving cockroach infestations to experts. “Cockroaches are more adept at hiding than homeowners are at finding them. Without specialized tools, materials, and expertise, controlling cockroaches can be a losing battle,” he noted. “Different cockroach species require distinct approaches, making proper identification crucial for effective control,” he added. Professionals are better equipped to identify the cause and eliminate cockroaches before they cause further property damage or threaten your family’s health.
In his exclusive interview with Onions Australia, Hottel shared tips for preventing future infestations and managing current ones. He recommended keeping homes free of food debris. “Homeowners can use a vacuum to remove food sources and roaches, along with their egg cases … It’s crucial to empty the vacuum immediately and dispose of the contents in a sealed garbage bag outside the home,” he stated. Hottel also advised eliminating potential hiding places and urged homeowners to “maintain recycling and trash disposal, avoiding storage of boxes and packaging indoors, even in garages and attics.” He added, “Most roaches seek areas with high moisture and humidity, making leaky pipes and standing water attractive to them.”
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