Roaches can mostly be found scurrying around the kitchen and there is a simple explanation why these pests love this part of the house. Kitchens have the perfect survival conditions for roaches because of the water, food and the many hiding places available.
Though roaches love this area of the house, the bad thing is that this is the last place we want to see roaches. After all, roaches are among the dirtiest insects on the planet and the kitchen is where we store, prepare and sometimes take our meals. Roaches like living in dirty areas such as drains, sewers and places with garbage and they can feast on anything including feces. This essentially means that roaches can harbor dangerous bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli.
When roaches make a home in your residence, they can transfer the disease-causing bacteria that they harbor on surfaces which can in turn lead to food contamination. This can be pre-cursor to life threatening illnesses such as food poisoning.
This post will discuss the main signs that may point to a roach infestation. Further, it will detail how you can get rid of the pests if your home is infested.
Top Signs That You Have a Cockroach Infestation in Your Kitchen
There are a few main signs that may point that roaches have made a home in your residence. Below are a few ways you can identify if you have a cockroach infestation.
- You Can See Roaches Scurrying About
If you spot one or more cockroaches roaming aimlessly in your residence, there is a high possibility that there are roaches more lurking in dark corners.
- You Can See Cockroach Droppings
The appearance of roach droppings usually differs depending on the species of roaches. Typically, cockroach feces usually look like ground pepper or coffee dregs. If you spot droppings in your cabinets, pantry or any other area, it means that you have an infestation.
- Discarded Roach Egg Cases
The cases of cockroach eggs which are also referred to as ootheca are usually brown in color and oblong in shape. Ootheca can commonly be found stuck on surfaces such as the sides of your furniture and cabinets. If you spot these egg cases, it may signal a roach infestation. If you find cases and nymphs at the same time, you should be worried since it is a sign that the adult roaches in your residence have started reproducing.
How Do You Keep Roaches Out of Your Kitchen?
We have discussed how you can identify if you have a roach infestation. The next step will be identifying the steps you can take to keep these pests out of your kitchen. Below are a few tips on how to ensure that roaches do not make a home in your home.
- Ensure That You Clean Your Kitchen Thoroughly
The best way to keep roaches out especially German cockroaches is to ensure that your kitchen remains clean and pristine. After using your kitchen, ensure that you wipe down all surfaces and get rid of all food crumbs and morsels that can act as a food source to roaches. Ensure that you also thoroughly scrub all kitchen appliances such as ovens and toasters which may contain food crumbs. Each evening, ensure that you clean all dirty dishes instead of leaving an open feast for roaches. Remember that these pests are most active at night. Additionally, ensure that you tightly seal your garbage kits and take your trash out on a regular basis.
- Store Your Food Properly
Remember that roaches are small and they can crawl through tiny spaces in your cabinets and access any food stored within. To ensure that cockroaches cannot get to your food, keep all food stored in sealed airtight containers. If you are a pet owner, ensure that you also store pet food properly. If you leave pet food lying around the house overnight, you will be attracting roaches.
- Manage Moisture Levels in Your Kitchen
Roaches love damp areas and they are known to be fond of residing in bathroom and kitchen drains. To avoid roaches, ensure that all leaky faucets in the kitchen are repaired. Additionally, if you have any cabinets under your kitchen sinks, ensure that they are dry. To keep out roaches, fix or seal holes around pipes in your kitchen using a sealant or caulk. Additionally, ensure that you clean your drains with a drain cleaner especially if you have a garbage disposal unit. This is to get rid of leftover food particles in your drains which can attract roaches.
- Seal All Cracks in Your Kitchen
Roaches typically enter the kitchen through unsealed cracks and small holes in walls. Ensure that you regularly inspect your kitchen for small gaps, holes and cracks which roaches can use as entry points. You can also keep out these pests by adding weather stripping around your doors and windows to seal off any possible entry points.
- Call Professional Exterminators
Despite your best efforts to keep out or get rid of roaches, you may still find some in your kitchen. If you have done all you can, do not be too hard on yourself. These pests can be resourceful and resilient. If you notice that you still have a roach infestation, call in pest control experts immediately. It is important to call in pest exterminators as soon as you notice any roaches in your property since any delay could mean a bigger roach population.
Proficient exterminators will inspect all areas of your property and advice you on potential problem areas that you should take care of. Exterminators also have extensive training and knowledge on the best cockroach control approach to apply depending on the type of infestation in your property.