Cockroaches are survivors – there aren’t many places you can go around the world to escape them. They adapt to different climates and living conditions, always forging ahead to infest and multiply wherever they set up shop. But just because they are common and a formidable enemy doesn’t mean you have to resign to the fact that they’ll make their home in your home. Here are some tips for cockroach prevention in Salinas, CA.

Clean, Clean, Clean

Cleanliness is one of the best ways to prevent cockroach infestations. Roaches are looking to meet their basic needs, one of which is finding a food supply – so don’t let your kitchen turn into their all-you-can-eat buffet. Be sure to wash dishes every night to avoid attracting cockroaches to the kitchen area. Keep food sealed in cabinets and pantries; make sure to clean up crumbs on counters, the table, and the floor after meals. Try to contain all eating in the kitchen area to ensure bits of food and crumbs aren’t left behind in other parts of the house. Eating in the same area will make cleanup a cinch!

Keep Up with Routine Home Maintenance

When cockroaches are on the hunt for a good place to find shelter, water, and food, make sure your house is as impenetrable as possible. Keep up with routine home maintenance tasks, regularly checking the interior and exterior of your home for cracks and holes that need to be sealed. Pay careful attention to gaps in areas where plumbing and wiring enter the home. Check under sinks for leaks, as a warm, moist environment will draw lots of thirsty cockroaches. Seal any gaps around windows and doors, and install a door sweep so unwanted guests can’t make themselves at home. Make sure your trash cans are closed properly and all trash is disposed of inside the can. Remove debris from around the exterior of the home that might serve as a transitional hiding place for roaches trying to make their way inside.

Professional Pest Control Services

One of the best ways to prevent cockroaches is to hire a pest control professional to handle the situation for you. Once a full evaluation has been performed, they will recommend a course of treatment for extermination if you have an active infestation. A pest control pro will also know the best ways to prevent future infestations by applying regular treatment methods to the interior and exterior of your property. Consistency in treatment is key, as it doesn’t take much to attract cockroaches to your property and leave you right back where you started. Cockroaches contaminate your food supply, create a significant amount of psychological distress for many people, and carry diseases and bacteria that can be harmful to humans. Cockroach prevention is the best step you can take to ensure your home stays clean and roach-free. While there are DIY methods for keeping roaches out of your home, the best way is preventative methods by the homeowner coupled with professional pest control services. If you live in the Salinas, CA area, take a step towards a permanently roach-free home by calling Target Pest Control today for a free estimate.