How to Get Rid of Roaches in Florida
In some ways, cockroaches are the ultimate survivors. These small, ugly insects have been around for over 300 million years, making them one of the oldest known insects on Earth. That’s pretty impressive for a creature most people cringe at just hearing their name. It’s also why getting rid of roaches in your home is so difficult.
If you live in the Sunshine State and are reading this because you have a roach problem, rest assured that you are not alone! Roaches are very common in Florida homes that are located near older buildings or other structures that offer plenty of dark spaces and limited human activity.
Don’t worry, though — we won’t judge you for it! Everyone has dealt with these little pests at one point or another. Luckily, there are things you can do to get rid of roaches in your home and stay bug-free moving forward…
What Kind of Roaches Are There?\nRoaches are actually a very broad category of bugs. There are over 3,000 different species of roaches worldwide, but only a few species are common in the United States. \nThe two most common roaches in Florida are the American roach and the German roach. They are different in appearance, habitat, and how to get rid of them, but they can both be extremely destructive.
– American roaches are about 1-inch long and are tan to dark brown in color. They are typically found in areas with high moisture, like near leaky pipes or in wet basements. They are the largest of the common roaches in Florida, so getting rid of these can be especially difficult.
– German roaches are about half the size of the American roach and are known for their brownish-yellow coloring. These roaches are often found in kitchens because they prefer environments that are warm and dry. German roaches are less destructive than the American roaches, but can be extremely difficult to get rid of.
How to Get Rid of Roaches in Florida: The Basics
You may have heard that certain things will repel roaches and others will attract them. While some of these tips and tricks may work, they don’t get to the root of the problem. To get rid of roaches completely, you need to target the source of the problem.
– Seal off places roaches can hide and breed. This sounds like a no-brainer, but homeowners often forget to seal off cracks and crevices where roaches can live and breed. You should seal off old pipes, wall voids, gaps behind appliances, and other dark places roaches are known to hide.
– Make sure you clean up after yourself. This may seem obvious, but roaches love to eat leftover food and crumbs. If you don’t clean up after yourself, roaches will move in and breed in your kitchen.
– Use clean and efficient practices with your trash cans and kitchen. Roaches can and will eat just about anything — including pieces of your trash. If you leave your trash sitting out for hours, roaches will feast on it and move into your home. – Keep your yard clean, especially in the summer. This is when roaches love to come inside.
Roach-Proofing Your Home
If you’ve tried the basics and are still seeing roaches, it’s time to step up your game. As we’ve mentioned, roaches can be very destructive and extremely hard to get rid of. If you’re not ready to call an exterminator, here are a few things you can do to roach-proof your home.
– Seal off all possible entry points. Like we’ve mentioned above, this is the first and most important thing you can do.
– Clean up your yard and keep it clean. This can keep a lot of roaches out of your home by making your yard less appealing to them.
– Invest in a good pest control system. This can include things like traps, glue boards, and gel bait stations.
– Sprinkle cedar chips around your home. Cedar chips are a natural way to repel roaches and other pests like ants, mosquitos, and ticks.
– Get a pet. A cat or dog can help keep roaches away from your home by keeping them out in the yard!
Professional Exterminators
If you’re not seeing any results after a few weeks of hard work, it might be time to call an experienced exterminator. If you’re new to the area, it’s also a good idea to call one. An exterminator can help you identify the species of roaches in your home and determine the best way to get rid of them. If you do decide to call an exterminator, make sure you look around before signing a contract with one company. You want to find a company that is reliable, licensed, and has a good reputation. Also, make sure you read any fine print before signing a contract. Some companies may try to lure you in with low rates only to charge you extra later.
Natural & DIY Ways to Repel Roaches
As we mentioned above, roaches hate cedar. Sprinkling cedar chips around your home can be a great way to repel roaches and other pests. Cedar can be especially helpful in the kitchen where crumbs and other food waste can attract roaches.
If you don’t want to use cedar chips, you can try making a roach-repelling tea with the leaves and woody stems of cedar trees. You can also repel roaches with citrus fruits and garlic. You may have also heard that roaches are attracted to the smell of vanilla.
This is actually a myth, but there are a few things you can do to repel roaches naturally. If you have a roach problem, make sure you keep your home clean and stay diligent with any pest control methods you’re using.
Conclusion
Roaches are a very common pest that can be very difficult to get rid of. If you currently have a roach problem, don’t worry — there are tons of different ways you can get rid of them. To get rid of roaches, make sure that your home is properly sealed and that you’re cleaning up after yourself. You can also use natural products like cedar to repel roaches or hire an exterminator. With these tips, you’ll be able to get rid of roaches and keep them away for good!
