LifestyleHow to safeguard your home from cockroach infestations

How to safeguard your home from cockroach infestations

Cockroaches can carry bacteria and viruses.
Cockroaches can carry bacteria and viruses.
Images source: © Adobe Stock | H.T. Kirk

3:03 PM EDT, June 26, 2024

Cockroaches are omnivorous insects that not only cause disgust but can also carry various diseases. Therefore, it's worth knowing how to avoid attracting them to our homes, as dealing with them is difficult.

Cockroaches typically range from 0.7 to 1.1 inches long and are dark reddish or brownish-black. They forage at night, so confirming if they have infested our homes is challenging. Their presence can often be indicated by droppings that resemble coffee grounds.

Dealing with cockroaches is difficult and troublesome because they are exceptionally resistant to chemical agents. In this case, the saying "prevention is better than cure" applies, especially since these insects can carry bacteria, viruses, and fungi that are dangerous to humans.

They attract cockroaches. Remove or secure these products

Although cockroaches are omnivorous, they prefer sweet things like chocolate or jams with added sugar. They also do not turn down starch-containing foods like bread, pasta, or oatmeal.

Therefore, to avoid attracting these insects to your home, it's better not to leave open packages of cookies or food scraps on the counter. It's also worth sealing products like pasta, grains, or oatmeal in airtight containers. Since cockroaches love warm and humid rooms, it's essential to check the tightness of faucets regularly.

Keep clean. Clutter invites cockroaches

Although cockroaches can appear even in a clean home, clutter encourages them to settle and reproduce. They will find excellent hiding spots in piles of clothing or old newspapers. It's worth regularly vacuuming, sorting, and removing items such as clothes that no one has worn for a long time.

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