Are you tired of seeing cockroaches, both big and small, making their way into your home? Believe it or not, there are 4,500 species of cockroaches out in the world, all of which would love to make residence in your home.

When dealing with a cockroach infestation, it’s important to know the steps you need to take to get rid of them in your home. As soon as you notice the signs of a cockroach infestation, be sure to reach out for professional help.

See below for a guide on how to get rid of a cockroach infestation once they’re in your home.

1. Contact Professional Pest Removal

Cockroaches are nocturnal through and through. It isn’t often that you’ll catch them crawling around during the daytime, and if they do, it could be a sign they’re dying or that the walls in your house have become overcrowded.

A roach’s nocturnal nature can make it hard to pinpoint when you’re dealing with an infestation. They patiently wait to make their move when the lights are off and, preferably, when there’s no movement.

The second that you find one cockroach, you should assume there are many others. Be sure to reach out to a trusted Tucson pest control service to get the infestation under control. They’ll have the experience and resources that you need to veer those roaches away from your home.

Contrary to what many Tucson homeowners believe, pest control is meant to be a preventative service. In other words: it is intended to schedule frequent check-ups to ensure those roaches never make their way into the house in the first place.

However, if the cockroach infestation has already made its way in, a pest control service can use environmentally-friendly solutions to repel those pesky roaches. Be sure to reach out to inquire about your situation and schedule an in-house visit.

2. Know What’s Attracting Them

Being in the Valley of the Sun, the resources in nature are scarce. That’s what leads cockroaches to come inside in the first place: access to nourishment—and lots of it.

If you’re going to get rid of your current cockroach infestation and prevent it from occurring in the future, you have to know what’s attracting them to your home in the first place.

The first attraction is access to food and water. Roaches will eat anything—meat, veggies, fruits, you name it. They are especially intrigued by greasy foods and sweets. These have aromas that will attract a roach into your home.

To keep them away, you have to eliminate lingering smells of food in your home. Make sure that you aren’t leaving dirty dishes in the sink for too long. Take out the trash regularly, especially after you dispose of leftover food. Sweep up the floor to remove any crumbs (which are easy access for cockroaches). Wipe down all kitchen surfaces after a meal.

You should also make sure to keep up with your home’s plumbing needs. If you have a leaky sink or pipes, roaches will see it as a source of water. The humidity in your walls will also invite them to set up shop.

3. Use the Smells They Hate

The smells that cockroaches hate might surprise you. Cockroaches, regardless of species, actively avoid the smells of citrus, coffee, cinnamon, bay leaves, mint, and garlic.

That’s not to say that they’ll run for the hills as soon as you make your morning brew. However, infusing more of these smells in your home can show roaches that they aren’t welcome.

Roaches especially hate the smell of citrus, so be sure to use fruits such as oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits. You should be more intentional about using cleaning solutions with citrus smells, as well as pet-friendly pest repellant sprays that include peppermint or lemon scents.

If you really want to go above and beyond, mix a solution of 2 parts water, 1 part baking soda, and a few drops of lemon juice. Place it in a spray bottle and lightly spray the solution in areas you’ve seen roaches the past few days.

4. Get Rid of Their Hiding Places

Now that you know what attracts roaches to your Tucson home, as well as the scents that might deter them, let’s dive into how to prevent them from making a residence in or around your home.

Just because roaches are seen inside your home, doesn’t mean they’re living inside. They and their friends might be hiding under such places as:

  • Piles of wood
  • Stagnant water
  • Under bushes and brush
  • Gardens
  • Trash cans & more

Try to avoid placing things up against the siding of your home, as these can invite cockroaches to set up a camp and make their way inside anytime they need food or water.

5. Store Food Properly

Cockroaches are smarter than most give them credit for. If they notice you’re starting to cut off their supply of food and water, they’ll make their way elsewhere to find sustenance.

Make sure that you’re storing your food the right way. Invest in different plastic containers and glass containers, as well as clips to keep bags (like chip bags) sealed shut.

Also, instead of leaving those fruits and veggies out on the counter, store them inside your fridge. Not only will this mask their scent, but it will also help them last longer.

Cockroach Infestation: Contact a Professional Tucson Pest Control Service

Now that you have seen an in-depth guide on how to get rid of a cockroach infestation in your Tucson home, be sure to start with step one.

Be sure to read this article for more information on the 7 benefits of hiring residential pest control services for your property.

For more inquiries, please be sure to reach out to us via phone at 520-579-1701 and we will be happy to assist you further.