How to Get Rid of Roaches

Here in North Carolina, cockroach infestations are all too common. If your home has recently been infested by roaches, it may not have as much to do with the cleanliness and sanitation of your home as you might expect. In fact, a roach infestation can happen to just about anyone! Below, the experts at Tailor Made Lawns discuss the best ways to prevent and get rid of roaches in North Carolina cities such as Charlotte, Hickory, and Winston-Salem!

Most Common Cockroaches

Did you know there are several species of cockroaches found in North Carolina? We know, they all look the same, but that doesn’t mean they are. The first step in getting rid of roaches is determining exactly which kind you’re dealing with. 

The most common type of roaches in North Carolina are:

• American Cockroaches: These are the most common type of roaches. They are typically reddish brown in color and are the largest bug in the cockroach family. They can live up to 700 days.
• German Cockroaches: This type of roach is the most likely to be found during an infestation. They are around a ½ inch in length and their color varies from tan to black.
• Oriental Cockroaches: These roaches are dark in color and commonly referred to as a “black beetle.” They are around ¾ - 1 ¼ inches long and prefer dark, moist places.
• Brown-banded Cockroaches: These roaches get their name because they have 2 light-colored bands across their body. They are about ½ inch long and prefer warm and dry locations.

What Attracts Roaches

As we mentioned earlier, just because you have roaches doesn’t mean you’re dirty. Though cleaning up could help roaches be less attracted to your home, here are the real reasons why roaches are attracted to your home:

• Food: If roaches get hungry, they will happily head towards “people food.” Roaches are omnivores, which means they eat meat. They also consume sugar, grease, and cheese.  If your home has food sources readily available to them, they will be drawn to it!
• Water: Just like humans, roaches need water to survive too! Roaches often seek standing water and areas of moisture to quench their thirst. This means they’re more common in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. Dripping sink faucets, leaky pipes, and areas of heavy condensation definitely draw cockroaches into your home, so keep that mind.
• Shelter: When roaches want protection from the outside elements, they will enter your home. Areas that are dark or cluttered are ideal – so piles of junk in your garage or attic (and areas that are dark!) can make the perfect hiding spot for them.

It only takes a small crack to invite a roach indoors, and if they find a reliable source of food, water, or shelter, you can bet they’ll invite their friends and family to join them.

How can I prevent roaches in my home?

If you’re worried about having to continuously deal with roaches in your home or apartment, you’re not alone. Luckily, there are multiple ways you can prevent an infestation. Be sure to regularly:

• Properly store food. Roaches are attracted to the same foods humans eat, so they will naturally gravitate towards our kitchens. Ensure old food is thrown away, messes are cleaned up, and leftover food is properly sealed and stored away. Also be sure to regularly wipe counters, sweep floors, and rinse out garbage cans.
• Seal cracks and holes. One of the easiest ways to prevent roaches is to prevent easy entry into your home. Ensure all cracks in baseboard and holes in the wall are properly sealed in order to keep roaches away. They can also enter your home through your plumbing -- so make sure to seal holes in walls and around pipes.
• Fix water leaks. Roaches will travel far and wide in their search for a source of water. Regularly check all your sinks, showers, toilets, and kitchen appliances to make sure there are no water leaks that are attracting roaches (and plenty of other bugs!)
• Remove yard debris. Roaches are commonly found harboring in the debris scattered throughout your lawn. You can also help prevent roaches on your property by picking up sticks, twigs, leaves, and more.

How do I get rid of roaches in my home?

We understand that sometimes, it’s too late for prevention methods. If you already have a cockroach infestation, don’t worry. There are multiple methods you can employ to eliminate them:

• Baits: Roach baits are effective because roaches seek them out as a food source. Once the roach consumes the bait, it will soon die, and in many cases, other roaches will feed on the dead roach and be poisoned as well. Baits can commonly be found at hardware, garden, or grocery stores - but should be used with caution if you have small children or pets!
• Insecticides: These can be sprayed around entry points and the exterior of your home. Roaches will make contact with the chemical barrier, which will slowly poison them. Be sure to always read the instructions before using chemicals inside or around your home -- especially if you have pets.
• Traps: Roach traps and glue boards are another way to eliminate roaches. These can be placed around entry points to determine exactly where roaches are entering your home.
• Professional extermination: Sometimes, battling a roach infestation can be too much to handle on your own. If you feel like giving up, let a professional exterminator handle it.

We get rid of roaches in the NC Piedmont

When dealing with a roach infestation, sometimes baits and traps simply don’t cut it. If everything you’re trying is failing, a pest control expert can help. Here at Tailor Made Lawns, we know the best methods to control roaches and have access to the most effective products in the industry. We can protect your home against roaches for the long haul, so you never have to deal with an infestation again! We proudly service the NC Piedmont region, including Charlotte, Huntersville, Winston-Salem, Hickory, and more.