Living in Florida means your house may get some unexpected and unwelcome guests. These horrifying, creepy crawlers are not only ugly, but they can carry diseases that are even more unpleasant. We are talking about cockroaches. They are extremely difficult to kill without the proper equipment and their infestations can be severe if left untreated. Cockroaches can cause a number of issues in both your home and your business. It is important to be able to identify them and properly prevent them.
The two most common cockroach species in Florida are the German Cockroach and the American Cockroach. While the American Cockroach is bigger and darker, both are nocturnal and stay hidden in dark areas when they aren’t searching for food and water sources.
Either way, a cockroach infestation is not something to take lightly. Since cockroaches are active year-round, it is important to take these steps to prevent them:
What Attracts Cockroaches to Your House
Dirty Dishes: It is important to wash and store your dishes after using them. If you can’t clean your dishes immediately after eating, clear any left over food off and soak them in soapy water.
Garbage: Keep garbage stored in a clean, sealed container and regularly remove any garbage from your home and business.
Pet Food: Store pet food in a sealed container and clean any extra food that may have fallen on the floor. If the pet does not finish it’s meal, either store the leftovers or throw them away.
Excess Moisture: It is important to check and clean the evaporation pan under your refrigerator and freezer on a regular basis. Any still water and moisture can attract cockroaches – especially in dark areas.
Leftover food and Crumbs: Store any leftover food in sealed containers and clean all areas where food is prepared. Be extra mindful of areas where spills or crumbs can accumulate – such as under appliances, cabinets, and furniture.
Clutter: Extra paper, cardboard, and plastic bags can create dark, hidden spaces for cockroaches to hide and even nest. Clear extra clutter out of your house as often as possible to prevent creating an inviting space for them to stay.
Cracks and Crevices: Seal all of the possible extrances for cockroaches and other pests to enter your home.
What To Do if Cockroaches Do Get In
Even if you take all of the preventative measures against cockroaches and they do manage to get into your space, there are steps you can take to remove them.
Store-bought Bait and Traps: Purchased in a supermarket or home improvement stores, insect bait and traps are easily accessible. These devices use insecticide and sticky substances to trap and kill cockroaches. They can be placed near garbage cans, in bathroom and kitchen cabinets, under sinks, and in garages. It is important to note that if you have children or pets, these traps do contain strong poison that can be dangerous for them as well. Although they can help control a cockroach population, it is more effective and safe to call a licensed and trained exterminator. Drive-Bye Exterminators use the safest method to protect you, your family, and your home from a cockroach infestation.
Clean your Space: As this may seem like an obvious step, cleaning your home or business is a crucial step in removing cockroaches. Cleaning any areas and surfaces where crumbs, spills, and dirt accumulate, reduces the cockroaches food supply. Reducing clutter also removes hiding spots and nesting areas for the cockroaches. Be sure to wipe down areas where food is prepared and regularly sweep, vacuum, and mop all of the floors.
Call a Trained and Licensed Exterminator
Taking the steps to prevent cockroaches in Florida is a year-round job. Although the DIY approach to preventing and removing cockroaches may work for a while, an infestation can still occur. Once these disease-filled pests get in, it can be extremely difficult to get them out. Call in the experts before they multiply and cause any serious damage.
Drive-Bye Exterminators offers home and commercial pest control services in Clearwater, Florida, and the surrounding areas. Family owned and operated for over 25 years, Drive-Bye Exterminators have state-certified inspectors, and exterminators provide roach, subterranean termite, dry wood termite, roaches, spider, ant, and flea services to both commercial and residential clients. Whether a business owner needs help getting rid of a termite infestation, or a homeowner wants to rid their kitchen of ants, Drive-Bye Exterminators offers each client the same level of professionalism and excellence.
Request a FREE Pest Control or Termite Inspection today with the Professionals of Drive-Bye Exterminators. Contact Us Today at 727-787-2127.
