Cockroaches are filthy yet resourceful and sneaky pests. When they move indoors, they spread diseases, cause food poisoning, and damage property. They enter homes to find food and water sources. They also look for safe places to build their nests and have babies.
Several species of cockroaches live in Texas. According to the experts at Texas A&M, the most common cockroaches in San Antonio include the American cockroach, German cockroach, and oriental cockroach.
All cockroach species make their homes outside, but they will move in if they find what they need. American cockroaches are about three inches long, while oriental cockroaches are about 1.5 inches long. The German cockroach is the smallest, measuring about ½-inch long.
While some species of cockroach are more likely to move indoors, they all will if they find a home with abundant resources. Here is what cockroaches might be looking for when they enter your San Antonio home.
Accessibility
Cockroaches will enter homes wherever they find openings. They’ll enter through cracks and crevices in home foundations. They’ll also walk under door gaps, through cracked screens, and by crawling on pipes and wires near walls.
Homeowners also unknowingly help pests enter their homes. Cockroaches get a free ride into homes by clinging to used furniture, cardboard boxes, and grocery bags. If they lay egg sacs in these items, homeowners may get a surprise infestation once they hatch.
Landscaping
Before cockroaches enter homes, they find hiding places in yards and landscaping elements. Since homeowners water their yards and plants, cockroaches have an easily accessible water source and plenty of food.
Cockroaches are likely to build their nests near food sources. Their favorite locations include birdbaths, flower pots, and gutters because of the access to water. They also find plenty of food near garbage and recycling bins.
Roaches also build nests when they can hide in piles of leaf litter, mulch, and vegetation. Homeowners often see cockroaches in compost piles and woodpiles.
Food Sources
Cockroaches are omnivores, eating anything organic. They’ll eat food on dirty dishes in the sink as well as poorly wrapped leftovers left on counters. Crumbs, pet food, and open garbage bins attract cockroaches.
Other organic food sources also attract roaches. They eat bookbinding glue as well as cardboard, grease, soap, hair, leather, and wallpaper paste.
Water Sources
If you have any water sources in your home, you could see cockroaches or their droppings. They build nests near leaky pipes and under refrigerators and air conditioning units. They also nest in rooms with wet areas like bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens. They will also drink the water left out for pets.
Neglected Areas
Cockroaches build nests where they find safety. Those could be in neglected places like the floor under appliances, in toilet bowls, under sinks, or in trash cans.
How to Get Rid of Cockroaches in Your San Antonio Home
If you have cockroaches in your home, you’ll quickly realize that you need professional help. To encourage them to leave, keep your home clean and try to kill them using traps and cockroach bait along with boric acid. You can also call a professional team like Romney Pest Control.
Helpful Cockroach Prevention Tips
The best pest removal technique is prevention. Declutter your home by getting rid of old cardboard boxes and newspapers. It’s important to deep clean your home regularly and ensure all of your trash bins are tightly closed. All food, including pet food, should be in tightly sealed containers. Leftovers should be refrigerated or thrown away.
If you have leaking pipes and plumbing problems, repair them to avoid attracting cockroaches. Then, close all potential entry points with caulk, steel wool, and expandable foam.
Conclusion
The experts at Romney Pest Control offer proactive and effective treatments for cockroaches. We help homeowners with cockroach problems. Call us today to get rid of cockroaches in your San Antonio home permanently!
