If you’re like the typical homeowner, you want your home to be warm and welcoming to your family and friends. However, Arizona cockroaches are probably not on your preferred guest list. Most people associate roach infestations with dirty, unkempt houses, but neglected counter-tops and unwashed dishes aren’t the only things that make a home appealing to prowling roaches. Listed below are five conditions that can make your home look like an amusement park to one of the world’s least favorite insects.
1. Moisture
Roaches prefer dark, moist environments. Any source of water or moisture can be a potential lure, including leaky pipes under a sink, damp basements, leaky air conditioner units, roof leaks, standing water and even piles of wet leaves outside your home. Generally, anything that can contribute to mold growth will also attract roaches, so manage any household moisture problems promptly.
2. Strong Odors
Roaches will eat almost anything, but they love sweets most. The apple pie scented potpourri you put out might be interpreted as an open invitation to a free buffet. An unsealed bowl of sugar or open box of sweet cereal can also seduce their senses. Nice smells aren’t the only ones they love. The smell of garbage, a compost pile or dirty laundry whets their appetites. They find collections of grocery bags and empty boxes with the faint smell of food delicious. Although it’s impossible to eliminate all household smells, minimizing them as much as possible will help.
3. Your Neighbors
If you live in an apartment or attached house, and your neighbors aren’t as clean as you’d like them to be, you could become the unfortunate host to bugs that wander over to your space. In an apartment setting, the property manager is responsible for handling extermination, so contact him or her as soon as you notice a problem. If you are the property owner, consult a professional extermination service for treatment and advice.
4. Cardboard and Paper
Old boxes and piles of paper might not look edible to us, but roaches consider fibrous, organic materials a major food group. If you have a stack of boxes, especially if they’re sitting undisturbed in a dark space, you can be sure that roaches will find it attractive. To solve the problem, switch to sealable plastic storage containers.
5. Pet Supplies
A pet’s water bowl is a pool of bliss to a thirsty roach. Sitting right next to it is a free buffet of kibble. If you have an established roach problem, try feeding your pets several times a day instead of leaving food out. Store pet food in air-tight plastic containers, and avoid placing food in dark corners. Consult a professional pest control expert for advice and for an evaluation of your home.
Let Burns Help Make Your Home a Total Turn-Off to Roaches
At Burns Pest Elimination, we have more than 30 years of experience in managing roaches and other common pests in Phoenix and Tucson homes and businesses. We’re a locally owned family business providing comprehensive pest elimination and prevention with a focus on personal service, flexible plans and your complete satisfaction. To learn more about our service plans and our money-back guarantee, visit us on the web today.
