Wilmington Residents' Complete Cockroach Prevention Guide
12/15/2021
Cockroaches are one of the largest insects homeowners in Wilmington will ever face inside their homes. Cockroaches range in size from an inch to two inches long, have six legs, an elongated oval body, antennae, and wings - though they are not good flyers.
Cockroaches are most commonly dark brown and are notorious for the many diseases that they can spread, including:
- Salmonellosis
- Typhoid fever
- Cholera
- Gastroenteritis
- Dysentery
- Listeriosis
- Giardia
- E. coli
Knowing the dangers that these pesky home invaders can cause for your family is all the proof you need to know that prevention is vital. In addition to spreading disease, cockroaches can also become quite destructive in your home. They will chew on soft fabrics and paper, leaving little gnaw marks on the corner of your books and upholstery. Their urine and feces can also permanently stain your floors and fabrics, creating an expensive problem in your home.
What Attracts Cockroaches To Your Wilmington Home?
Cockroaches are disgusting pests that crawl across some pretty bad places before winding up in your kitchen cabinets. Cockroaches are naturally drawn to food, which for them can be anything from rotting meat and trash to what resides in your pantry.
Cockroaches are also drawn to places of moisture and heavy clutter where they can go undetected for long periods. Frequently cockroaches will hide out in attics to go undetected during the day. Be aware of any sounds coming from your attic and address them promptly.
Some tips to keeping your home cockroach-proof are:
- Eliminate all clutter.
- Keep food in the refrigerator or airtight containers in your pantry.
- Address moisture issues under cabinets.
- Dispose of trash promptly.
- Clean and vacuum your home regularly.
- Look for any signs of cockroaches being present and address them immediately.
What You Can Do To Deter Cockroaches From Invading Your Wilmington Home
You might be thinking you are safe from a cockroach infestation because you keep a tidy home, but the truth is that cockroaches are not drawn just to dirty, cluttered homes. Also, cockroaches are more likely to infest homes where there is easy access. Knowing that cockroaches are drawn to moisture, address any moisture issues around your property. Get rid of standing water and fix any leaky outdoor plumbing. Inspect your home regularly for cracks or easy entry points. Seal up any gaps in your exterior or areas where plumbing and electrical come into your home.
Replace worn screens and install weather stripping on doors and windows to ensure a proper seal. Trim back all bushes and shrubs away from your home. Keep tight-fitting covers on all outdoor trash receptacles and compost bins. Be sure that all exterior vents have well-fitting caps installed to keep all unwanted pests out of your home.
When Should You Call Jay Taylor Exterminating?
Don’t delay calling the professionals if you expect you may have cockroaches inside your Wilmington home. Aside from the danger they pose to your family; cockroaches can quickly multiply, causing a runaway infestation if you don’t take care of it promptly. Call Jay Taylor Exterminating today for your pest prevention and pest control needs.