What to Do When You Find a Cockroach in Your Home

You head to the kitchen for a cup of water and there it is — the nasty, oval-shaped brown cockroach that makes you cringe. First you squeal, then you jump around a little, flail your arms, and start grabbing the first things you can find to kill it — a shoe, a spatula, flour. That last one might not work, but you are determined to take that bug out.

You stop freaking out for a quick moment, call for your husband, and he takes a shoe and splatters it into hundreds of little pieces; you can still see moving parts hanging off the shoe. Now that it’s dead you start wondering, are there more?

Unfortunately, yes. So how do you get rid of them?

How exterminators get rid of cockroaches

Exterminators have assorted ways of getting rid of cockroaches. They have to start by identifying the type of infestation. Some types of cockroaches prefer warmth, while others seek out water; still others prefer vegetation.

Once identified, a protocol is put in place, using chemicals like dusts, baits and sprays. Most people believe bug bombs are effective, but they are not. Bug bombs are made to set off in the middle of a room on a elevated object. Once activated, the spray goes into the air and tiny mist droplets then settle down over the next couple of hours coating the exposed areas.

The problem is, unless you have a rug of cockroaches on the floor during the daylight hours, it’s useless. Bug bombs are made for infestations that are out in the open. The mist can’t get into crevices or holes that cockroaches might be hiding in, but it does leave behind pesticide residue on dishes, furniture, clothes and food that can be harmful if inhaled or ingested by humans or animals.

Baits are one of the best options. They typically come in three forms: gel, liquid or granules. The baits are placed in areas that nests might gather, such as in cabinets under sinks, around leaking pipes, or in humid areas. These will take care of indoors infestations.

Sprays can be used outdoors to a create a barrier to keep the bugs out or handle trouble areas. Caulking up any cracks or gaps in foundation, base boards, around pipes and in walls can prevent cockroaches; they can flatten to the thickness of a dime. Make windows and doors weather-tight as well, using weather-stripping and caulk.

Dusting products are great for under appliances and other confined spaces where children and pets can’t access. The dust contains boric acid that will get beneath the exoskeleton and dehydrate the cockroach. Once it dies, other cockroaches lacking a food supply will eat it and also die.

Fighting cockroaches can be difficult. For more information about removing cockroaches from your home, call us today!