Cockroaches are relentless. They reproduce like crazy. They climb walls and run across ceilings. They squeeze through gaps that are half their size. And some species even have the ability to fly. How on earth can you keep them out of your Dallas home? We’re glad you asked. Here are four easy and effective ways to keep cockroaches out.
What You Can Do
1. Address Hiding Places
When cockroaches come near to your home, they can get the bright idea that living inside your home might be awesome. You can discourage them by removing potential areas of harborage.
- Remove lawn clutter.
- Move woodpiles, brush, and other organic debris to at least twenty feet from your exterior.
- Trim grass and remove unnecessary vegetation.
- Trim bushes and shrubs.
- Remove leaf litter.
2. Remove Food Options
Cockroaches can eat human food, but they prefer to eat things you would not consider to be food. You must consider these food options if you want to reduce cockroach activity around your home.
- Clean trash receptacles so there is no rotting organic matter at the bottom or underneath.
- Clean up dog feces if you have a dog that leaves droppings in your yard.
- Address rodent issues quickly; their droppings can be a food source.
- If you have compost, make sure it is properly mixed.
3. Reduce Moisture
Cockroaches are strongly attracted to shade and moisture. The drier you can keep your perimeter, the better. Here are some suggestions.
- Clean your gutters.
- Fix any plumbing leaks.
- Water your plants in the morning.
- Remove tree branches to let the sunlight dry shaded areas near your home.
- Remove containers that capture rainwater.
- Loosen compacted soil.
4. Seal Potential Entry Points
It is impossible to keep cockroaches out, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. If you give a cockroach a hole to explore, it’s going to explore it. Cockroaches are strongly attracted to tight spaces.
- Seal cracks that have formed in your cement foundation wall.
- Fill in gaps around pipes that pass through your foundation wall.
- Seal gaps that have formed around your door or window frames.
- Fill in holes that have been created by carpenter ants and other wood-destroying organisms.
- Replace damaged weatherstripping on doors.
What You Should Not Do
The tips given above are eco-friendly cockroach management methods. These are the best ways to keep cockroaches out of your home. You might be tempted to resort to chemical sprays along with these tips, or as a replacement for them. We don’t recommend this.
- Cockroaches can develop a resistance to chemicals.
- Cockroaches can transport harmful chemicals into your pantry or kitchen.
- Chemicals can quickly become inert after rainfall and may stop providing any protection without you realizing it.
How We Can Help
The licensed pest professionals at Romney Pest Control use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to address cockroach pressures. IPM uses eco-friendly, smart pest control methods as a primary control, and EPA approved products only as necessary. This provides the best control with the least impact on the health of your family, pets, and non-targeted organisms around your home. We select appropriate control products and administer them according to strict safety regulations. The last thing you want to do is replace the threat of cockroach-illness with the threat of chemical exposure. You can trust the team at Romney Pest Control to make sure you have the right treatments for your specific needs.
If you have questions or you’d like to schedule a visit from one of our pest professionals, reach out to us. The team here at Romney Pest Control provides industry-leading pest control to the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Get your protection in place today.
