What Attracts Cockroaches into Your Home?
If you’re wondering why you’re getting cockroaches in your home and how to get rid of them, this is the article for you.
Particularly in the warmer weather, cockroaches can be a major problem for Queensland homeowners. Here, we’ll discuss some of the things that attract cockroaches to your home, how to get rid of them, and what to do if you have an infestation.
What Attracts Cockroaches?
Cockroaches are attracted to a lot of the same things humans are attracted to, so in this section we’ll break down some of the things they find most appealing. The most common are:
Food
Like many pests, cockroaches are attracted to any food that is left uncovered or out in the open. They are especially drawn to starchy, sweet, greasy or fragrant foods, so you’ll want to make sure you store these properly to avoid unwelcome dinner guests.
Light
Cockroaches are a bit like moths and other flying insects, in that they are attracted to light. If cockroaches are a potential problem for you and your family, keep your lighting to a minimum so that they stay in hiding or leave in search of the light they love so much.
Warmth & Humidity
Cockroaches like to keep warm, so are particularly drawn to places of high humidity. This is why you see them a lot more in summer (when temperatures are warmer overall) and in winter (when they move inside in search of warmth).
How to Prevent Attracting Cockroaches
There are a few things you can do to prevent attracting cockroaches to your home. These are:
Closing off Entry Points
Those nooks and crannies and entry points like open doors and windows are places that allow cockroaches into your home. Sealing these off, either with professional products or by simply ensuring you don’t leave too many doors or windows open in summer, cuts off those access points they love so much.
Discarding Water
Cockroaches love open water vessels, like watering cans, and bird baths or puddles left after a huge storm. If you don’t try to clean these up as soon as possible, you may attract cockroaches to your home.
Cardboard Boxes
Do you have a lot of cardboard boxes stored in your shed, waiting for the next time you have to send a big parcel or package to friends? You may be inviting cockroaches onto your property without even realising it.
Cockroaches are drawn to places that provide them with shelter, and there’s no more ideal location for them and their babies than cardboard boxes. It’s even more appealing if the cardboard box is wet, so if you’ve just had a storm, you may want to check your storage shed.
What to Do if You Have a Cockroach Infestation
If you have a cockroach infestation, you may be tempted to deal with it yourself. But the truth is, effective DIY methods of eradication are few and far between.
The best course of action, in our opinion, is to call our dedicated team of pest control inspectors. With a high level of expertise and experience in the pest control industry, our professionals are some of the best in the business, and we will always work with you to provide the best solution for you and your family each and every time.
