Are those bugs scurrying around actually cockroaches, or something else? To identify a roach, look for their spiny legs, oval bodies, and long antennae. In some parts of the world, they can be quite large, but around Northern California, they are smaller to medium sized.
Once you know you have a cockroach problem, the next step will be to locate where they are coming from. This is much easier said than done, of course. That’s because cockroaches love to hide, so it may be hard to spot them.
Look for cockroaches around the exterior of your home, and look for cracks in the foundation and holes around windows, pipes, and wiring.
Determining their entrance points also goes a long way in preventing them in future. Once you know where they can get in, you can block their paths with caulk or other sealants.
If you want to get rid of your cockroach problem, you’ll have to get rid of them all. The only way to do that is to kill them. There are a few ways to do this.
Aerosol spray. Sprays can be tricky because most of them require you to spray the poison on the actual pest. This works for the ones you can see, but as we know, they can be hard to find. If you go the spray route, you’ll probably need another method as well.
Just like with ants, bait is an excellent way to kill off scores of cockroaches at once. Sprinkle powdered boric acid along cracks, nooks, crannies, crevices, and anywhere the roaches can get to.
Foggers fill the air with a deadly pesticide that will eliminate masses of roaches. You will need to take all humans, pets, and maybe plants out of the house if you use a fogger.
Remember to keep all baits and poisons out of the reach of children, and away from food products. Be sure to read all instructions, and follow them to the letter.
Once you’ve eliminated your roach problem, it’s a must to protect your home against future infestations.
Keep all shrubs, trees, and bushes cut back, so they’re not touching your house. Also, remove all dead vegetation, and if you have a garden or keep fruit trees, remove any rotting fruit or vegetables as soon as possible. Keep your garbage bins clean, and have them emptied on a regular basis.
Clean up after every spill, and keep your counters and floors as crumb-free as possible. Keep trash cans tightly closed, and rinse all recycling before tossing it out. Keep food stored in airtight containers, and never leave food in the sink. Fix any leaky faucets you may have as well.
Remember that the best way to get rid of cockroaches is not to have them in the first place, so begin your preventative measures ASAP. While you’re in the process of getting rid of the pests, you’ll want to remember that it can take as long as six weeks or longer to rid them from your home completely.
Once you’ve done all you can do to stop and prevent cockroaches, it may be time to call a pro. Pest control professionals use much stronger chemicals, know where the cockroaches love to hide, and can fix your problem as well as prevent a new one from occurring. Also, a professional will help apply the poison to get rid of your invaders in a safe way for your family and your pets.