8 Tips for Preventing Cockroaches When it Rains

To cockroaches, a typical storm constitutes a life or death situation in which they are forced to seek shelter or drown in a flood. They scurry (or get flushed) out of the sewer systems they call home and often find their way into yours.

What Attracts Cockroaches to Your Home

Cockroaches are cause for concern any time they take up residence in your home, but they may be more likely to appear when it rains (and in the winter). Once they escape certain death, they’re on the hunt for three things: food, water, and shelter.

Your entire house provides adequate shelter, with warm, moist places being their preferences. Cockroaches may seek protection in baseboards and appliances, though bathrooms and kitchens are their preferred hiding spots.

Roaches generally prefer the kitchen, as it provides easy access to food by way of crumbs, drains, and a fully stocked pantry. Water is easy to find in kitchen pipes, sink drains, leaky faucets, and pet water bowls.

Since you know exactly what the pests are after, preventing cockroaches when it rains is easier than you think! Just take these steps before you settle in for the storm.

A dirty home is a goldmine to cockroaches. The primary way to prevent these disease-carrying pests is to keep a clean home, paying particular attention to food sources. In general, you’ll want to follow these eight tips:

1. Inspect pipes regularly and remove obstructions to prevent bursts and leaks. While you’re at it, inspect the perimeter of your home and seal all cracks, crevices, and pipe entry points to prevent access to cockroaches.
2. Keep gutters clear.
3. Add screen drains and keep water traps full.
4. Keep bathroom and kitchen counters clean and crumb-free.
5. Store food (including pet food) in sealed air-tight containers (rather than cardboard).
6. Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink.
7. Keep sink drains cleaned out.
8. Vacuum often and take out the garbage regularly.
   

No matter how clean you are, a routine pest management system could be key in preventing cockroaches from here on out. Give us a call for customized pest management tailored to your home and needs.