Cockroaches are among the most hated pests and finding them in your home or office can be enough to make you cringe. You may think you’re doing a good job of keeping these vile, disease-carrying creatures away, but you would be surprised at some of the habits that can be a beacon of light for cockroaches looking for food, water and shelter.
If you don’t want cockroaches moving in, kick these seven bad habits that attract cockroaches.
- Leaving dirty dishes in the sink
Cockroaches, like all pests, are attracted to any source of food, and your dirty dishes are like an easy meal ticket. While it may be tempting to leave your dishes out to deal with later, it may be worth the time it takes to at least rinse your dishes right away, eliminating food debris for cockroaches to feed on.
- Storing open food containers or original food packaging
Cupboards or pantries that are stocked with cereals, crackers, and other dry food products that are packaged in cardboard are a great place for cockroaches to look for food. If this is something you do, you may want to start storing food items in tightly sealed plastic or glass containers as cockroaches can chew through cardboard, paper, and thin plastic.
- Not fixing leaky water pipes
It’s not just food that pests are after. Cockroaches need water to survive and will get it anywhere they can find a fresh supply. Your leaky faucet can provide a colony with the water security they need, making it the perfect place to nest.
- Keeping your home too warm
Cockroaches love hot and humid conditions, and with the changes in climate, their numbers rise particularly around the warmer months of the year. By regulating the temperature with air conditioners or dehumidifiers, you can discourage cockroaches from moving in with you.
- Stacking up paper products
Whether there’s food on the other side or not, paper and cardboard offer the perfect refuge for cockroaches. Clear away any old newspapers, boxes and cardboard cartons that could otherwise become a hiding place for a cockroach infestation to flourish.
- Ignoring spills and crumbs
Once again, any food that is left out and readily available will increase your chances of attracting cockroaches. Keep it tidy by cleaning up spilled food, dropped crumbs and other messes as soon as possible after they happen.
Avoiding these habits now can reduce your risk of having to deal with a cockroach infestation later. Already noticing signs of cockroaches?
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