Cockroaches are often associated with filth and unsanitary living conditions, but the presence of these pests doesn’t always indicate a dirty home. For example, sinks that are overflowing with dirty dishes, jam-packed garbage cans, and floors that are littered with trash. So, Why do I have roaches if my house is clean?
While dirty environments certainly attract roaches, even clean homes can fall victim to roach infestations. Understanding why roaches appear and what attracts them is essential for keeping your living space pest-free.
Why Do I Have Roaches If My House is Clean?
A spotless home can still experience a cockroach problem, leading many homeowners to question how these pests gained entry. Most importantly, don’t be ashamed or embarrassed. The best way to solve a problem is to get to its root.
Myth-Busting: Do Roaches Mean Your Home is Dirty?
The idea that roaches only infest filthy homes is a myth. While poor sanitation can contribute to infestations, even spotless homes can attract cockroaches under the right conditions. Environmental factors, such as humidity and nearby landscaping, play a significant role in attracting these resilient pests.
How Do Roaches Get in Your House?
What causes roaches to get in your house in the first place? Below, you’ll find a list of some of the top factors that can cause even a very clean home to attract cockroaches.
Numerous species of cockroaches, such as the American cockroach, exist and live in Nebraska. Dampness attracts many types of roaches. Therefore, if you’re having a problem with cockroaches, a moisture problem could be to blame.
- Check plumbing fixtures to see if there are any leaks underneath bathroom and kitchen sinks, toilets, showers, tubs, and your water heater. Look for signs of standing water.
- Inspect your roof, attic, basement, and/or crawl space to see if there are any damp areas or if moisture is seeping in.
- If you have a fireplace, moisture could also be seeping in through the masonry work, so you will also want to inspect that area.
There doesn’t have to be an active leak to have a moisture problem. If there’s standing water anywhere on the inside or outside of your property, then this could be a reason you start suddenly seeing more roaches in your apartment or home.
Common Factors That Attract Roaches
Roaches are opportunistic and will take advantage of certain conditions that make a home more inviting. The main contributors to cockroach infestations include moisture, food availability, and hidden entry points.
Moisture Problems
Excess moisture is one of the leading reasons roaches invade homes. Damp areas, leaky plumbing, and standing water create an ideal breeding ground for these pests.
- Inspect plumbing fixtures for leaks under sinks, toilets, showers, and water heaters.
- Address damp spots in basements, attics, or crawl spaces.
- Look for moisture seeping through fireplaces or masonry work.
- Remove sources of standing water, such as clogged gutters or wet outdoor areas.
Even small amounts of water, like those found in overwatered garden beds, flower pots, or damp kitchen sponges, can attract cockroaches.
Food Sources Can Attract Roaches
If you have ample food sources in your house that are easily accessible, that’s a greeting card for cockroaches. Food left on countertops, open packages in your pantry, crumbs on the floor, and even pet food will welcome these pests inside your home.
Be diligent about how you store your food and how you clean up messes. Wipe down countertops, and clean out all surfaces in your pantry, including the shelves and floors. Furthermore, you should vacuum and sweep all areas where you eat food, such as your kitchen and dining room.
If you have pets, after they’ve finished eating, make sure to pick up their dishes. Keep dry pet food stored in a cabinet or pantry in sealed containers.
Easy Access – Entry Points
Like all pests, roaches seek shelter in warm locations such as your house. If there are easy-to-access entry points around your house, there’s a good chance the insects are entering there.
Most common ways that cockroaches enter your home:
- Tears in window and door screens
- Loose window seals
- Gaps under doors
- Holes and cracks in your roofing and foundation
- Gaps around dryer vents
Unkept Landscaping
Certain types of landscaping elements can attract roaches to your yard. When these pests are attracted to your yard, there’s a good chance that they will make their way inside. Piles of leaves, old mulch, and any type of decaying matter are all landscaping elements that roaches may be attracted to.
Therefore, you will want to eliminate them immediately. Stagnant water in ponds, flower pots, and watering cans can also attract these pests. Controlling pests in these parts of your landscaping is oftentimes better left to a local pest control services company.
How To Keep Roaches Out of Your House
Now that you know some of the factors that could be contributing to these unwelcome pests that have arrived in your house, you’re probably wondering what you can do to remove them. If your house is already tidy, what more can you do to eliminate roaches and prevent them from returning?
There are several things that you can do to get rid of cockroaches and prevent future infestations.
- Fix leaky plumbing and eliminate water damage.
- Store pantry items in airtight containers.
- Keep kitchen surfaces, appliances, and floors free of food debris.
- Use caulk or weather stripping to seal gaps and cracks.
- Maintain yard cleanliness to minimize outdoor roach activity.
Preventing Future Roach Infestations
Preventing roaches involves addressing the conditions that make your home appealing to them. Fixing leaks, sealing hidden roach entry points, and keeping food properly stored can significantly reduce the chances of an infestation. Regular cleaning routines also play a critical role in maintaining a pest-free environment.
For severe infestations, contacting a professional pest control service may be necessary. Local exterminator companies like ABC Termite & Pest Control in Omaha and Lincoln, NE, specialize in handling pest infestations with effective and safe solutions.
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