Most of the houses have a problem of cockroaches and some people are allergic to roach dust as well. Roach dust is made out of roach body parts and droppings. Roach dust is the biggest trigger for asthma and can cause severe asthma attacks. For ages, cockroaches have defeated humans, with our every effort to get rid of them. We sprayed and sprayed, but somehow they always manage to come back. However, now there are new and improved ways on how to control cockroaches. Here are some simple steps on how to control cockroaches.
Use Borate Powder
- Borate powder is one of the most effective chemical treatments in treating cockroaches. Borate powder will take a few days before it starts killing these pests, but it can work for years. Borate powder can be found in any local store, but never apply or use borate where children and pets could reach it.
- You will have to apply borate powder slightly in all those areas where cockroaches are active. As these pests walk from the powder, it will stick to their bodies when they lick this powder off, it will poison them.
- Remember that you must apply the borate powder with a plastic squeeze bottle, which has a narrow pointed spout. You will have to apply it lightly, because if you apply thick layer it will form a barrier and the pests will not cross it. Apply borate on baseboards, under stove, refrigerators and in hollow holes.
Use Roach Baits
- If required then you can use borate powder along with roach baits. Roach baits have food, which will attract the cockroaches. Once the cockroach has eaten this bait, he will go to his hiding place and die.
- One roach that has eaten this bait can poison the remaining roaches as well. Therefore, you will have to keep only a small amount of bait. You must keep the baits in such places where people do not come in contact with them.
- Take small sized baits and place it around the hiding place of roaches. Some of the good spots will be below the sink, cabinets and near the plumbing fixtures. Put some more bait in the same place from where it is completely eaten. Cockroaches have a habit of leaving behind smells and droppings to mark food source.
Restrict Cockroach entry and Shelter
- Always remember that cockroaches will hide in small places. They love clutter and closed spaces. To avoid their entrance in your house you must clean the clutter, likes piles of clothing and newspaper. Throw away cartons, grocery bags, because this garbage tends to bring roaches or roach eggs inside the house.
- You will have to seal the cracks with the help of a caulk gun around the cupboards, sinks and pipes. You can also put a knitted mesh to cover up all the openings. You can also use door sweeps and weather stripping in the doors for creating a tight seal.
Deny Cockroach Food
- Eliminate the food source of the cockroaches. They will look for food in the night and the best time to clean up is before you go to bed. Wherever the food is present, you must keep the surface clean or stored. Clean all the food scraps from the floor, chairs and tables. Once you have used the food you must never leave it on the counter. Keep the food stored in airtight containers.
- Make sure that you wash the dishes before you sleep or if you are not able to wash them, then you must leave it in soapy water. Keep all the trash in closed containers and make sure that you throw trash everyday. Keep the area outside the trash can clean.
Stick with the Plan
- Remember that roaches ‘hitchhike’. They can easily hide inside soft drinks cartons, furniture, bags, radios, TVs or anything else. Sometimes in the cleanest homes you will notice roaches hiding inside the cabinets.
- Whenever you see a roach, don’t spray it, but smack it dead. Then check the entire area for some more roaches. Check the clutter or anything that you have just bought in.
- You must always stick with the plan of cockroach removal. You must constantly do things, which will avoid their entry inside the house. Get a yearly pest control done inside your home to eliminate their entry completely.
Tips and Warnings:
- Dead body parts and droppings from the cockroach can become a part of the house dust. The roach dust is a very powerful trigger for asthma. Therefore, people with asthma should never be in the room when it is being cleaned.
- Try to wet clean the area, so that the dust does not rise in the air. Mop the floors with bleach, because bleach helps in destroying the roach dust completely.
- While cleaning rugs or carpets, do not dust them, instead you must use a vacuum cleaner to keep them clean. You will have to vacuum very slowly and it may take time, but dust will not rise with speed.
- If you live in a building, then the owner of the building must get a pest control done for everyone under the IPM (Integrated Pest Management) methods.
- Keep the surroundings and the inside area of your building always clean.
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