How to Get Rid of Roaches in Seattle
Cockroaches aren’t the kind of house guest you want in your Seattle home. The sight of just one scurrying roach can send shivers down your spine. This is a natural reaction. But there’s more to worry about.
Cockroaches and their droppings are, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), triggers for asthma attacks and allergic reactions. Roaches can also cause dysentery, diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid fever, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
And they carry bacteria that can cause salmonella, staphylococcus, and streptococcus. If they get into your food, they leave behind harmful bacteria that can make you sick.
Since they’ll eat almost anything, roaches also leave property damage in their wake. It’s vital that you get rid of roaches to avoid the worst of these issues.
How Do Roaches Get Inside my House?
Some roaches fly in through open windows or doors. Others crawl in through cracks and gaps. And still other roaches hitch a ride in cardboard boxes or other items you’ve brought inside. Plumbing systems, sewers, and drains are also highways for roach activity.
Why Do Roaches Prefer the Indoors?
Your home offers cockroaches an ideal habitat to live and breed. Just like you, roaches want to be comfortable, well-fed, and have plenty of water to survive. They’ll hide in cabinets, under and behind appliances or furniture, under your sinks, in the basement or crawl space, and other dark, moist crevices.
What’s worse, they reproduce all year long and live in social groups. A few roaches will inevitably lead to a cockroach infestation. There’s no way around it.
In Seattle, the most common types of roaches are German, American, Brown-banded, and Oriental. Each species has its quirks. Identifying which cockroach species you have can help you on your seek and destroy mission.
How Do I Get Rid of Roaches in the Seattle Area?
The best way to ensure that your home doesn’t get a roach infestation is to take proactive measures such as professional cockroach control. There are many ways roaches become a problem.
Roaches are very common and often found in buildings, schools, and other places you frequent. They can ride home inside your purse or coat pocket. Check everything you bring inside, from grocery bags to furniture, for signs of roaches or their eggs.
Your neighbors may have a roach infestation that’s inviting these pests onto your property. And Seattle’s cold winters drive roaches inside, no matter how clean you keep your home.
Some ways you can decrease the likelihood of roaches include:
- Seal roach entry points such as cracks in walls, water inputs, and other openings.
- Fix any leaking pipes or other moisture build-up issues so roaches can’t get water.
- Store all your food in airtight containers so roaches can’t contaminate food.
- Put leftovers away immediately and don’t leave food out on the counter or table.
- Don’t leave dirty dishes sitting out.
- Don’t leave pet food out and wash the dish after your pet’s finished eating.
- Keep your kitchen clean. Sweep the floor and wipe the counters and stovetop frequently.
- Clear out clutter and throw away corrugated cardboard boxes and other debris.
- Regularly sweep, vacuum, and mop your floors, especially under furniture and appliances.
Contact Croach Pest Control
The best way to get rid of roaches in Seattle is with professional help. These are tough buggers, having survived for millions of years. If you have a roach infestation, you can reach for over-the-counter solutions, but know that these are often ineffective. You need to find all the roaches, destroy their nests, and kill the egg sacs.
Rather than risking the health and well-being of your family, contact Croach Pest Control and we’ll be happy to get rid of roaches and other pests for you.