Step-By-Step Guide To Cockroach Prevention In Queen Creek

The last thing any Queen Creek resident needs is a cockroach infestation. Roaches are implicated in the spread of many diseases. You may know many of these diseases by name, diseases such as salmonellosis, E. coli, giardia, typhoid fever, gastroenteritis, dysentery, listeriosis, cholera, hookworm, and more.

They spread these illnesses because they pick up bacteria, helminths (parasitic worms), and protozoa, and carry them into sensitive areas. This leads to food poisoning or the contamination of surfaces and items. Cockroaches also aggravate asthma symptoms and increase hospitalizations related to asthma. And, while they aren't prone to biting, they can accidentally bite sleeping people when they attempt to feed on dead skin cells around the mouth and eyes.

If you're thinking, "No thanks!" We're with you. That's why we've put together this quick step-by-step guide to cockroach prevention in Queen Creek. And as always, if you'd rather not do all the hard work of pest control yourself, you can reach out to us here at Quell Pest Control. Our residential pest control covers many harmful pests, including cockroaches.

Step 1: Removing Places Cockroaches Can Hide In Your Yard

The first thing cockroaches will look for in your yard are things to hide under or places that offer moisture habitats and protection from the sun. Cockroaches get dried out in the Queen Creek sun.

Here are some tips to make roaches less comfortable in your yard:

• Remove leaf litter and leaf piles.
• Remove stacked stones, wood, bricks, and other building materials.
• Store any yard clutter such as toys, lawn equipment, ladders, etc.
• Trim your landscaping and address areas of dense vegetation.
• Remove weeds and grass from your landscaping.

Step 2: Address Any Conditions That Cause Dampness Or Humidity

The second thing cockroaches look for is moisture. They need to stay hydrated. Some species will not come into your yard if it is dry.

Use these tips to address moisture:

• Inspect your gutters and remove any obstructions that prevent the flow of rainwater. Repair broken downspouts and other issues.
• Repair plumbing leaks.
• Only give your landscape plants the water they need and consider watering your plants in the morning.
• Address poor gradation where puddles form in your yard or use irrigation to channel the water away before it gets into sunken areas.

Step 3: Sanitation

Cockroaches are strongly attracted to anything that stinks. If you keep things clean, you'll remove the odors that lure roaches into your yard.

• Bag your trash and store it in covered containers to seal the smell inside.
• Keep your trash receptacles clean.
• Pick up pet waste from your yard.
• Pick up fruits that fall from trees.
• Clean all recycling items before you put them outside.

Step 4: Seal Every Entry Point You Can Find

It is very difficult to seal every opening a roach can use to get into your home. You'll have greater success if you know a few of the key spots to examine.

• Seal around plumbing and other foundation penetrations.
• Examine your window and door frames for gaps around the outer edges, or just use a caulking gun to seal them all, just in case.
• Replace damaged screens or have them replaced.
• Make sure you don't have any gaps around your screens.
• Replace weather stripping that has worn out.
• Install door sweeps.

Step 5: Seal Interior Cracks, Gaps & Recesses

If cockroaches find a small entry point in your exterior and find their way inside, it is important to deter them inside and limit their ability to move around. Unlike mice and rats, roaches need gaps and holes to go from wall voids to your kitchen, pantry, and other sensitive areas.

• Seal the gap around plumbing that enters into your home underneath the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry sinks.
• Seal around the interior of your exterior door and window frames.
• Seal baseboards that have gaps.
• Fill in any wood holes.

Step 6: Keep Your Home Clean

This is the hardest step of all. Cockroaches feed on rotting organic matter, hair, dead skin cells, feces, and other gross things. They find food in places you wouldn't even think about, such as the sides of your oven, the space under your fridge, and in your drains.

• Clean around appliances.
• Use a microbial agent to clean your drains.
• Do your dishes as you dirty them, and be aware that roaches are likely to be able to get into your dishwasher.
• Don't leave fruit out. Store it in the fridge.
• Put pet food down at meal times and then pick the food back up.
• If you have a cat box, make sure your kitties are covering their waste.