What to Do If You Start Noticing Roaches in Your New Jersey Home

Cockroaches are a major source of frustration for many New Jersey homeowners.

Detecting cockroaches during daytime is difficult, because these household pests usually become most active during night. However, if your house is severely infested with roaches, you may find one or two of them scurrying away from you even during the day. American cockroaches are usually large in size, and shiny and reddish in color. Whether you notice the actual insect or signs of infestation, you should take some immediate steps to get rid of the problem as soon as possible. Here are some tips on how to control roaches in your home.

Steps to Take to Prevent or Control American Roaches

As a homeowner, you can take the following steps to prevent or control a cockroach infestation in your home. These steps may not guarantee a complete solution, but they are essential parts of any cockroach extermination program.

Keep your home clean

Dirty, unhygienic areas are prone to cockroach infestation. You should take the following steps to keep your home clean and hygienic.

• Keep all dust bins and trashes covered
• Don’t leave dirty dishes or food leftovers in kitchen sinks
• Immerse all dirty plates or dishes in soapy water
• Make sure you regularly vacuum the rugs
• Clean deep down the bottoms and sides of your kitchen utensils, ovens, cook tops, and refrigerator. Make sure you deep clean every few months.

Clean the clutter

American cockroaches prefer living in dirty, confined areas. Consider taking the following steps to clean the clutter.

• Remove any clutter from the inside and outside of your home regularly.
• Keep firewood away from the exterior walls of your home.
• Remove any piled-up construction materials away from your exterior walls.

Hide food

One way to discourage the American cockroach is by leaving it without food. Here are some tips.

• Keep all vegetables and fruits inside your refrigerator.
• Keep other food items inside airtight plastic containers.
• Keep any pet foods covered and out of reach

Keep your home dry and well-ventilated

American cockroaches prefer living in damp, moist areas. Consider taking the following steps to keep your home dry.

• Fill in any potholes or areas outside of your home where water accumulates
• Make sure your home is well ventilated. You can consider using a dehumidifier for the job.
• Check all pipes, faucets, and spigots for any water leakage.
• Also, check for sweating in any pipes.
• Keep your kitchen and bathroom dry as much as possible.

Seal any cracks and crevices in the wall

American cockroaches have this strange ability find a way through small cracks and crevices in the walls and floor. Here are some steps you should take.

• Make sure that the doors and windows in your home are in good working condition.
• Check all door and window screens to make sure that they are in good working condition.
• Use weather stripping tapes to seal any openings in the doors and windows.
• Check for any rotted holes in exterior walls, and seal any such holes with a caulking gun.
• Seal any other gaps or vents with mesh screen.
• Check for any gaps around your door and window frames and seal those.