If you were to make a list of the last things you want in your home, cockroaches would probably rank pretty high up there. Unfortunately, some homeowners in Alabama seem to have roach problems that just won’t go away. Once a population of cockroaches becomes established in a home, exterminating the pests can prove shockingly difficult.
The best solution to ongoing cockroach problems in Alabama is often to remove the factors that attract these dirty bugs. Keep reading to learn why roaches may be targeting your home and what you can do about it.
The 3 Main Factors That Attract Roaches
Cockroach infestations often target homes in Alabama because of three primary reasons: food, water, and shelter.
1. Food
Cockroaches are notorious for being almost indestructible; one of the main reasons for this is that they can eat just about anything, including a lot of what’s found in your home. Oftentimes, roach infestations are focused in the kitchen, where the insects can sustain themselves on everything from crumbs on the floor to garbage straight out of the bin. Even dirty dishes left in the sink overnight can be enough to attract cockroaches into your home.
2. Water
Cockroaches love moist areas and are likely to congregate around any sources of water in your Alabama home. It’s common for roach infestations to be concentrated on bathrooms and kitchens, especially if there are any leaky pipes or drains present. In particular, cockroaches love to live under sinks, where there is always moisture for them to drink.
3. Shelter
Beyond the need for food and water, cockroaches are drawn to homes in Alabama because they offer plentiful shelter for the pests to live in. The ideal environment for a cockroach is dark, humid, and moist. Many areas of our homes offer exactly such conditions – particularly bathrooms, kitchens, basements, crawl spaces, and garages. Cockroaches tend to be especially plentiful in cluttered spaces, where they have lots of places to hide.
How to Prevent Cockroach Problems in Your Home
The best way to prevent cockroach problems in your Alabama home is to mitigate the factors that attract roaches. If these pests aren’t able to find water, food or adequate shelter under your roof, they’re unlikely to stick around.
- Preventing Access to Food
Your home may always have food in it, but there are steps you can take to roach-proof your food supply. A good first step is to make sure all your food is stored in airtight bags or containers so that cockroaches can’t slip into it. You also may need to take extra measures to maintain a clean kitchen if you’ve been having issues with roaches. Sweep and vacuum kitchen floors, and clean off tables and counters regularly so there aren’t crumbs lying around for hungry cockroaches to munch on. Make sure to clean the dishes every night so that plates coated in food waste aren’t sitting there like a buffet for roaches. Also, empty your kitchen garbage regularly to keep food scraps from rotting in there for too long.
- Eliminating Water Sources
Keeping water sources secure from cockroaches can prove more difficult than keeping the bugs out of your food. However, you can make a cockroach infestation less likely by fixing any leaks you discover in your plumbing. Additionally, be sure to clean up any water spills in the kitchen or bathroom; otherwise, roaches are likely to use them as a watering hole when you’re not looking.
- Minimizing Shelter
Cockroaches thrive in clutter, so keeping a clean home will reduce your risk of suffering from a cockroach infestation. Areas that we mainly use for storage, like basements and attics, commonly become cluttered; trying to keep these spaces organized will make them less attractive to roaches. It’s also good to clean under cabinets and appliances once in a while to keep these areas from accumulating dust and crumbs – and by extension, roaches. If this doesn’t do the trick, you may need to place cockroach traps in infested areas.
The Most Reliable Cockroach Control Company in Alabama
When cockroach problems become too big to handle, it’s time to bring in professionals for thorough extermination. Contact SafeSpray Pest Control today if you’re in need of reliable cockroach control services in Alabama! Our company serves clients in the Huntsville, Auburn, and Daphne areas.
