What is one common enemy all homeowners in Singapore face? Cockroaches! Yes, Singaporeans detest these nasty bugs and dream of having a cockroach-free home. If you want the same, you are in luck!
Huge populations of cockroaches live in dark untouched corners of your house and only come out when no one is around. Managing a cockroach infestation may not be easy, but it is not impossible either.
Not sure how to combat cockroaches in the house? We’ll help you! In this article, you can learn how you can manage a cockroach infestation in 7 simple ways.
7 Effective Ways to Manage a Cockroach Infestation
Identification of a Cockroach Infestation
The first and most important step to dealing with a cockroach infestation is identifying it. Cockroaches can be very sneaky, so you may not even realise you have a cockroach problem before it becomes unmanageable. Take time to routinely inspect your living space and identify potential infestation sites.
Cockroaches enjoy taking shelter in dark warm places during the day and usually only come out at night. Use a flashlight to investigate suspected high-activity areas such as closets, closet door corners, under the sink, bathroom cabinets, behind the refrigerator, and crevices of shelves and cabinets.
Once your suspicion is confirmed, you can place glue strips in strategic locations around the problem area. The strips will trap most cockroaches within a few days if you can place them in high-traffic regions.
Prevent Further Infestation
While you try to combat the cockroach infestation you have just identified, the cockroach population might already have multiplied tenfold. Indeed, that is not something you would want. To prevent this, seal all entry points, cracks and crevices. You can use silicone to close gaps and weather stripping on window seals and doors. This way, newcomer cockroaches will not enter while you are trying to get rid of the roaches that are already in your home.
Ideally, the best way to get rid of cockroaches is to make your home less appealing to them. But how to make your humble abode less hospitable to these insects? Start by clearing potential hiding spots by decluttering.
Throw out old newspapers, packaging, cardboard boxes, etc. Also, donate any furniture or appliances you do not use anymore. By having a decluttered home, roaches will find it difficult to hide their presence. This will also make cleaning easy, which, too, plays a significant role in preventing a cockroach infestation.
Starve the Cockroaches
One of the best tips to manage a cockroach infestation is to starve them. Cockroaches come into your home in search of food. So, if your house does not offer easy access to food, cockroaches will not feel comfortable. Don’t worry; starving cockroaches is straightforward. After you trap all the existing cockroaches in the house by sealing all exits, all you have to do is be mindful of how you store food, manage trash, and handle food crumbs and spills. Most of these will be taken care of if you have a thorough cleaning routine.
Be mindful of where you eat. Try to eat only in the kitchen and dining area. Always use a plate to avoid dropping crumbs. If you ever drop any crumbs, clean them off immediately. The same rule applies to dirty dishes. On top of that, make it a habit to clean the home every day.
What’s more, make sure you store food in airtight containers. If you leave food uncovered, cockroaches can get easy access. Also, empty your garbage bin daily to avoid attracting cockroaches.
Bait Stations and Gel Baits
One way to tackle cockroaches is to set up bait stations. Simply serve poison with some attractive food and wait for cockroaches to feed on it. This will poison the greedy roaches, who will then return to their hiding spots and die there. That’s not all. When other cockroaches in the nest feed on them, they die, too, due to secondary poisoning.
A gel bait will yield similar results. Just apply a gel poison to high-traffic areas such as near cracks, crevices, and under baseboards. Leave the gel for a few weeks, and the majority of cockroaches in your home will be eliminated. The only problem with this method is that you will find dead cockroaches all over the house.
Spray Liquid Concentrates
You can also use a liquid concentrate cockroach deterrent to prevent a cockroach infestation. You can dilute the liquid concentrate and spray it all over high-activity areas, entry points, and cracks and crevices. You may also use it to mop the floor and wipe kitchen counters. This will keep cockroaches away as they do not like the smell of liquid concentrates.
You can purchase a liquid cockroach deterrent from any local home improvement store. This option is not only affordable but also fast-acting, as it will start to deter cockroaches overnight. However, it is unsuitable for households with pets and kids as it may contain toxic ingredients.
Make a DIY Roach Deterrent with Boric Acid
You can make a DIY solution if you are not too keen on using store-bought options. Boric acid is one of the best ingredients for this job. Mix flour, sugar, and boric acid in equal parts and form a dough.
Make tiny balls of dough and place them strategically in cockroaches’ favourite hiding spots. Some high-traffic areas include the back of your cabinet and under the refrigerator and stove. This solution is highly effective. While the sugar and flour lure the roaches, the boric acid will kill them. Boric acid is not highly toxic for humans and pets, but it is still not recommended to use in areas where they are usually around.
Seek Help From a Pest Control Company
Cockroaches are resilient. If you have tried everything and are still struggling to get rid of them, maybe it is time to get professional help. A licensed pest control company in Singapore can help you do the job. So, choose a reliable pest exterminator to treat your home and get rid of not only roaches but also other insects at the same time.
Final Takeaway
No one enjoys sharing their house with cockroaches. Thankfully, there are some easy ways to avoid co-existing with these filthy pests. Always keep an eye out and take immediate action against cockroaches once you get the first hint of a cockroach infestation. Next, prevent further infestation by sealing entry points, keeping the house clean, and eliminating food sources.
Finally, combat cockroaches with multiple cockroach-control tools such as bait stations, gel bait, glue traps, etc. You may also use liquid concentrates or DIY repellants made with natural cockroach deterrents such as boric acid. If none of your efforts seems to reap the ideal results, you can also try calling in a licensed pest control to manage the cockroach infestation in your home.
