Cockroaches love kitchens. These pesky insects are drawn to the warmth, moisture, and readily available food sources kitchens provide. The best way to keep cockroaches out of your kitchen is prevention. Here are some practical tips for a roach-free kitchen.
1. Inspect incoming items carefully.
Cockroaches like to hide in tight spaces and are often brought into homes hidden inside things such as used appliances, items that were stored in infested locations, food, and deliveries.
2. Use multiple pest control tools and strategies.
Find out how the cockroaches were introduced (if possible), take away what they need to thrive, and use appropriate tools to eliminate the pests. Expect to treat more than your kitchen.
Residual sprays, insecticidal dusts, glue boards, and carefully selected baits target different areas and they can all be effective at killing cockroaches. You can find these products at our online store and at your closest Poulin’s location.
3. Eliminate water sources.
Cockroaches love moisture and need water to survive. Try eliminating cockroach access to potential water sources in your kitchen and the rest of the house. Repair plumbing leaks. Ensure your house has proper ventilation and no condensation building up.
If there is an infestation of cockroaches, cover sink drains after use. Cover coffee machines and pet water sources at night or when not in use. Avoid overwatering plants. Wring out sponges and dish rags. Also, if you have water in the drip tray under your fridge, regularly clean it out.
4. Practice proper food storage.
Cockroaches are attracted to the food that people and pets eat, so proper storage is crucial. Store food in airtight glass, metal, or thick plastic containers and avoid leaving food uncovered on countertops, in open packaging, or in cardboard. This denies cockroaches access to their favourite treats and reduces the risk of contamination.
5. Maintain a regular cleaning routine.
Maintain a meticulous cleaning routine in your kitchen. Cockroaches thrive in dirty and cluttered environments. Wipe down surfaces, clean the floors, and remove grease and crumbs promptly. Clean your pet food bowls. Pay attention to the often overlooked and attractive hiding spots such as small spaces behind and under cabinets and appliances. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to contain cockroach-related allergens and be careful if you use any tools to try and flush cockroaches out from hiding.
6. Empty the trash, cardboard, and recycling regularly.
Cockroaches are opportunistic feeders and household waste can be a goldmine. Empty the garbage and recycling regularly and use a trash can with a tight-fitting lid to minimize odours and insect access. Remove cardboard; cockroaches are often found in cardboard and may also be drawn to starch-based glues that are often used to make cardboard items.
7. Seal entry points.
Cockroaches tend to hide and because they like darkness, tiny spaces, water, and warmth, they often find their way into walls and follow pipes and heat. Inspect your kitchen for holes that can act as entry points to and from the walls. If your residence shares walls with other residences or businesses, cockroach movement may be slowed down by sealing any holes in the walls, floors, and ceilings of every room.
While quickly dealing with cockroaches inside a kitchen is essential, it is best to be proactive and prevent their entry into your home.
Cockroach control in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta
At Poulin’s Pest Control, we can help eliminate cockroaches in your home and kitchen. We carry various products to help you fight cockroaches, such as glue boards, gel bait, insecticidal dusts, and residual insect spray. Contact us today for more information and expert advice.