Western Canadian winters are known for the cold and are not associated with cockroaches. Yet, pest control services for cockroaches are increasing each year, which leaves us with the question: how can cockroaches live here? Keep reading to learn more about the secret life of cockroaches in winter.
A Brief History of the Cockroach
Cockroaches have lived on Earth for hundreds of millions of years. In this span of time, cockroaches have adapted to various climates and spread around the globe, finding ways to survive.
How Cockroaches Survive Winter in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba
They Seek Warm Refuges
Cockroaches survive winter best by staying inside from the cold. Thus, they seek refuge inside your heated home or commercial building, spread by crawling through cracks and crevices, and hitch their way in and out on goods and guests. Cockroaches that have not found warm refuge before the temperature drops below freezing will die. Cockroaches find safe and warm places to hide like vents, cracks in walls, areas behind appliances, under flooring, in cabinets, in appliances, and areas around plumbing fixtures.
Three Common Cockroach Species Found In Western Canada
These are the most common cockroaches. They can live and reproduce in warm indoor locations throughout the year, provided they have access to food and water. They are frequently found in kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas with water sources.
This large cockroach species prefers to be in warm, moist locations indoors to avoid freezing in a prairie winter.
This species of cockroach is fond of cool, damp environments such as basements, crawl spaces, and sewers. They are more tolerant of cooler temperatures than other cockroaches, but like other pests, these cockroaches will spend the winter indoors.
Cockroach Pest Control: 5 Tips for Commercial Property Managers to Prevent Infestations
For commercial property owners and managers, winter cockroach pest control begins with the indoor environment. While you cannot shut off the heat and allow your restaurant, hotel, shop, or other place of business to freeze as a way to kill off any cockroaches hiding inside, you can do the following five things to help prevent a cockroach infestation.
Cockroaches are attracted to food, water, and warmth. Commercial kitchens, restaurants, and food service areas are particularly attractive and vulnerable to cockroaches. Ensure that these areas are regularly cleaned and that all food is stored in tightly sealed containers. Dirty dishes and food debris should not be left in the area overnight. Countertops, floors, appliances, and trashcans should be emptied and cleaned at the end of every day.
Cockroaches need water to survive. To prevent a cockroach infestation, eliminate all sources of moisture. This means covering or screening drains, repairing leaks in pipes, faucets, and other plumbing fixtures, using dehumidifiers in damp areas such as basements and crawl spaces, and ventilating bathrooms and kitchens to reduce humidity levels.
Regular inspections are key to cockroach pest control. By regularly looking for signs of cockroaches, such as droppings, egg cases, and live cockroaches, you can spot an infestation early. Check hidden areas such as behind and under appliances, around plumbing, and in cabinets.
The most effective winter cockroach pest control is an integrated pest management (IPM) approach that involves combining chemical treatments with non-chemical methods, improved sanitation, and sealing entry points. Bait stations and residual crack and crevice products can be particularly effective, and it is important to follow all label instructions and safety precautions. As a professional pest control company, we are well suited to help you determine the best course of action for your cockroach pest control in winter. We have the training, equipment, and experience to effectively eliminate cockroach infestations.
If your business shares walls with other units of a building that may become infested and because cockroaches can squeeze through incredibly small openings, it may help to slow the entry of pests by sealing cracks and crevices around doors, windows, baseboards, electrical, and plumbing fixtures.
Why Call the Professionals?
Professional pest control technicians do not just throw traps and products at a cockroach problem. We conduct detailed inspections to identify areas with activity. Professional pest control technicians apply targeted treatments to fully eradicate an infestation. We can also help devise a plan to avoid another infestation in the future.
Where to Find Professional Winter Cockroach Pest Control?
Poulin’s Pest Control has been Western Canada’s professional pest control experts for nearly 80 years. Contact us in Alberta, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba for effective winter cockroach pest control in commercial or residential settings. Our methods are innovative, effective, and environmentally conscious.