5 Tips To Double The Results of Your Roach Killing Efforts
Knowing what attracts roaches is just a part of the battle when it comes to keeping these pests out of your house. The next thing is taking action. I've covered some of the things you need to do in my previous article already. Check that post out first if you haven't yet. Consider these 5 tips when you’re taking the steps to keep them out.
Seal Any Openings
Openings such as cracks and gaps allow roaches easy access to your home. Close them up and you'll make it that much harder for them to get in. At your local home improvement store, you'll find a foam sealant made for sealing small gaps and cracks like the ones I'm talking about. They come in a spray can with a convenient precision straw. Once sprayed the foam will expand and solidify real quick. They easily deal openings as big as 1 inch.
Doors and windows are also full of openings for roaches to sneak in through. Install weather stripping to keep them out. Just check out the weather stripping section while you’re at the home improvement store. I recommend sealing the gaps where the trims meet the walls. Caulk and silicone is great for this.
Cover Your Trash
Do yourself a favor and invest in a nice high quality trash bin for your kitchen. Make sure it has a tight closing lid. The ones I like best are the stainless steel ones. They close very tight. Why spend the extra money on one when you can get a cheaper plastic? The tighter it closes, the less trash odor there will be to attract more roaches. Plus it makes it a little harder for them to get in and hit the buffet.
Cover Your Sink Drains
Not only do you need to limit their access to food, you also need to limit their access to water. Let’s not forget that roaches will drink water from any source (no matter how dirty it seems to us). That means your kitchen sink drain is the perfect guaranteed water well. Most kitchen sinks will have a P trap, where the pipe dips down and then up (looking like a p). Where it dips down and then up, water is also there. Roaches only need to crawl down; have a sip and then make their way back out. You need to cover the drains with a fine mesh strainer to help keep them out of there.
Keep Your Kitchen Sink Dry
They won’t even need to make their way down the drain if there’s water in your sink. Always make sure any water is drained. Wipe the sink and surrounding areas dry with paper towels each night before you head off to bed. A few drops of water left in the sink will be more than enough for the roaches to drink from.
Don’t Leave Pet Food Out (or any food for that matter)
You never leave food out uncovered. This applies to pet food as well. For those who have pets and like to leave food in the bowl, you’re also feeding your pet roaches. With such easy access to so much food, there’s no way they’ll be moving out or dying out. Dump out any remaining pet food from their bowls each night. While you’re at it, you might as well dump out the water bowl too.
Consider following these 5 tips and getting rid of them will be a little easier. Did I miss something? Do you have a tip that might be helpful to other readers? Let me know in the comments.
Seal Any Openings
Openings such as cracks and gaps allow roaches easy access to your home. Close them up and you'll make it that much harder for them to get in. At your local home improvement store, you'll find a foam sealant made for sealing small gaps and cracks like the ones I'm talking about. They come in a spray can with a convenient precision straw. Once sprayed the foam will expand and solidify real quick. They easily deal openings as big as 1 inch.
Doors and windows are also full of openings for roaches to sneak in through. Install weather stripping to keep them out. Just check out the weather stripping section while you’re at the home improvement store. I recommend sealing the gaps where the trims meet the walls. Caulk and silicone is great for this.
Cover Your Trash
Do yourself a favor and invest in a nice high quality trash bin for your kitchen. Make sure it has a tight closing lid. The ones I like best are the stainless steel ones. They close very tight. Why spend the extra money on one when you can get a cheaper plastic? The tighter it closes, the less trash odor there will be to attract more roaches. Plus it makes it a little harder for them to get in and hit the buffet.
Cover Your Sink Drains
Not only do you need to limit their access to food, you also need to limit their access to water. Let’s not forget that roaches will drink water from any source (no matter how dirty it seems to us). That means your kitchen sink drain is the perfect guaranteed water well. Most kitchen sinks will have a P trap, where the pipe dips down and then up (looking like a p). Where it dips down and then up, water is also there. Roaches only need to crawl down; have a sip and then make their way back out. You need to cover the drains with a fine mesh strainer to help keep them out of there.
Keep Your Kitchen Sink Dry
They won’t even need to make their way down the drain if there’s water in your sink. Always make sure any water is drained. Wipe the sink and surrounding areas dry with paper towels each night before you head off to bed. A few drops of water left in the sink will be more than enough for the roaches to drink from.
Don’t Leave Pet Food Out (or any food for that matter)
You never leave food out uncovered. This applies to pet food as well. For those who have pets and like to leave food in the bowl, you’re also feeding your pet roaches. With such easy access to so much food, there’s no way they’ll be moving out or dying out. Dump out any remaining pet food from their bowls each night. While you’re at it, you might as well dump out the water bowl too.
Consider following these 5 tips and getting rid of them will be a little easier. Did I miss something? Do you have a tip that might be helpful to other readers? Let me know in the comments.