Pest Control Blog | San Joaquin Pest Control

4 Ways to Avoid Cockroaches in Your Garage

Written by Stephanie Morgan | Apr 22, 2015 9:00:00 AM

When it comes to pests, cockroaches are definitely ones that you want to keep out of your home. They’re unsanitary and unsettling. They often carry diseases such as dysentery that give people food-poisoning-like symptoms. They’re also one of the most adaptable animals on the planet, so getting rid of them isn’t necessarily easy. A highly toxic chemical is usually needed to do the trick. Therefore, it’s just easier to keep them out. The problem is how. It’s not uncommon for cockroaches to make their entrance into homes through the garage. In order to keep them out, here are four ways to avoid cockroaches in your garage:

1. Seal Garage Door(s) and Windows

If a garage door threshold is worn down, it offers an easy entrance for cockroaches to come strolling through. The same goes for seals around windows. It’s important that they are air tight so that all points of entry are eliminated. Garage door thresholds wear down fairly easily, and should be replaced about every two years. A good rule of thumb is if you can see light shining through when the garage door is shut, then it’s time to replace the threshold.

2. Clean Up Spills

Any sort of spill is an easy way to attract cockroaches, no matter where it happens in the house. The main reason that cockroaches come inside in the first place is to find food and water. Puddles are their dream, so make sure you clean up any spills or pools of water immediately.

3. Fix Any Water Leaks

In a garage, there could be any number of pipes or faucets that leak water. Any drip source is a good way to dampen your garage and provide a good environment for cockroaches. They’re constantly thirsty, so don’t offer them something to drink.

4. Keep Pet Food Sealed

Do you keep pet food in your garage? If you do, you could be providing an open source of food for cockroaches. It’s important that you seal the pet food and make sure that there are no pebbles of it lying on the floor near the food. Make the cockroaches starve!

Places like garages, basements and laundry rooms provide favorable habitats and easy entry points for cockroaches. Eliminating food and water sources in these areas is a good way to keep them out. If you’ve seen cockroaches crawling around your garage, give pest control a call to see what you can do to get rid of them.