Whether they're found in homes, restaurants or food warehouses, cockroaches are one of the most vexing pests for homeowners, food preparers and vendors. But since much of what attracts them to homes and food-related businesses is food, that's where attention must be paid to get the roach population under control.
Keeping food preparation areas from drawing cockroaches comes down to storage and surfaces. If there are open food items in storage or left out in the open on preparation surfaces, these are the places where you can expect to find the bugs.
Store food items properly by placing them in insect-proof containers. A sealed lid may not be enough if there's another way for the insects to get to the food, so containers must be made of materials like thick plastic that cockroaches cannot eat their way through.
Surfaces should be cleared of food items and cleaned of any food residue like crumbs or juices from meat or fruits and vegetables that may draw the bugs to the spot, even if food is removed. Dishes that are left in a sink with food still on them are also likely to draw cockroaches, so they should at least be rinsed off if they can't be cleaned thoroughly right away.
Outdoor trash areas, whether they're outside a home, restaurant or related sites, are likely to draw cockroaches if the trash and its receptacles aren't handled properly. Since most trash isn't hauled away more than once a week, it has to be stored somewhere. The only way to guard against a cockroach invasion is to store trash in a tightly sealed container that they can't penetrate.
Just as surfaces with food residue can draw bugs, so can trash cans. The bottom of a trash container should be rinsed out to get rid of liquids and other debris that may have leaked into the receptacle.
Don't store trash and recycling bins right next to a building. Having some distance between the two will make it less likely that roaches drawn to the trash storage area will enter the house or business because of easy proximity.
Moist environments are also a magnet for cockroaches. Check outdoor areas for leaking pipes or stagnant water where they may linger, and increase your efforts at pest management during warm weather when humidity will also draw cockroaches.
If your own preventive steps aren't enough, consider hiring a professional pest control company like Abell Pest Control to put your cockroach problems to rest.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
The kitchen is largest gathering place for pests in a residential home. The reason is simple: pests can grab a bite to eat and take a sip of water while they're here. And when they find such a bountiful place, they will return home to their nests and report the finding - before you know it, your whole pantry is a buffet for ants! The problem could get even worse if a piece of food falls somewhere and begins to rot. Similarly, fruit and vegetables you bring into your home may be harboring unseen pests waiting to hatch.
