I still remember the one time I saw a cockroach in my home growing up. It was sitting on my bedroom windowsill, and I thought it was one of those fake plastic sorts that my brother used to buy. When it moved, though, I really freaked out! Cockroaches can make their way into homes so easily, and once you have an infestation, it's incredibly difficult to eradicate them. So knowing how to stop cockroaches as early as possible is your best way to prevent a serious problem later.
If you want to stop these pests coming into your home, preventative measures are massively important. To help guarantee a roach-free home, I asked two pest control pros for their top cockroach deterrent and control recommendations. These measures may not be the most organic pest controls, but they will help to ensure roaches don't make a home indoors over the coming months. By making it inherently harder for cockroaches to enter and survive in your home, your space is far less likely to become an appealing target.
Why do Cockroaches Come Indoors?
Like many other insects, cockroaches come indoors in search of warmth and a food source. So even if you have a few ideas on how to tackle garden roach control, it’s important to think laterally when it comes to your home. Given the cooler months ahead, more of these common pests will be out and about, looking for a safe haven – and your home unfortunately more than likely fits the bill!
If you notice cockroaches in or around your home, it's important to act fast and prevent a potential invasion before it's too late. Knowing how to keep cockroaches out of your house is just part of it. You need to consider both how to keep them out of indoor spaces, and what to do once they get inside. The following products will help to roach-proof your home so you don't stumble upon any nasty surprises.
Best Ways to Stop Cockroaches
It’s an unpleasant business, but quick controls now are your best defence against tackling infestations later – so it’s vital that you take action fast. Cockroaches are amongst the most dreaded garden pests to venture into the home over winter. It’s not always possible to control pests naturally, but if you need to know how to keep cockroaches out, these methods will give peace of mind. Try these expert-approved recommendations to nip infestations in the bud, so you don’t have to worry about roaches getting a serious foothold in your home.
1. Catch Traps
You may think catch traps are only required in the midst of an invasion, but Ed Dolshun of Catchmaster explains how it's helpful to catch cockroaches in your area before coming up with more preventative measures.
"I am a big fan of catch traps," says Ed. "These are great for early intervention, because you might not know what kind of cockroach you could be trying to catch. This way, you can identify them before figuring out your next course of action." To curb some of the pests active through winter, you can buy MAX Trapper Glue Traps from Amazon.
2. Granular Bait
Niban Granular Bait (NGB) is a formula of boric acid designed to spread around the perimeter of your home. This pest control serves to target and repel insects through appealing to their taste sensors, but disrupting their digestive systems.
As Nicole Carpenter of Black Pest Prevention explains, "NGB works well when you spread it in a light band around the perimeter of your home. It keeps roaches from crossing into the foundation area – and kills those that try.” So this is one of the best cockroach deterrent options, as well as a reliable roach killer.
Two of the best things about this cockroach control is that the formula is chemical free and weather resistant. So, your yard's eco-system won't come to harm, and the product won't wash straight off of your lawn or patio after a rain shower. You can purchase Niban Granular Bait from Amazon. But keep the product out of reach of children and pets.
3. Pest-Block Sealant
When you notice holes in your wall or gaps by a window, you may grab for the caulk to remedy the possibility of overwintering bugs. But a pest-specific sealant like Great Stuff Pestblock from Amazon is far more effective, as it's designed with insect prevention in mind. Great news if you need to know how to deter cockroaches.
"Roaches can't chew through sealing products, but pest-block foams like those by Great Stuff are denser and resist insects better than regular caulk," says Nicole. This block applies clear, and can even be sanded into shape and painted over. Rated very highly by users, its polyurethane foam can be used in all kinds of areas, such as around pipes, on walls and along baseboards.
4. Roach Gels
I hadn't heard of roach gels before speaking to Nicole, nor was I aware that roaches can begin to outsmart pest prevention methods and avoid consuming anything that could bring them harm. However, there are ways to stay one step ahead – and that’s by mixing up your choice of controls and deterrents.
Roach gels come in small syringes, and you inject small amounts into cracks or common pest areas where roaches will congregate. Upon eating the substance (whether they're already entering your home or attempting to find weak points), these common garden pests will be eradicated. Nicole taught me it's important to switch which gel solutions you use every now and then, because cockroaches learn to avoid eating what you leave out.
"Roaches don't develop immune responses to specific products, but they can learn to avoid what kills them,” says Nicole. “So it's key to rotate products.” You can buy Advion Cockroach Gel Bait, and also MaxForce FC Select Roach Killer Gel Bait, both from Amazon, You can also buy Combat Max gel in double packs, and Vendetta gel bait, also from Amazon. “These all work well when you rotate them every few weeks and place them in cracks, hinges, and hidden spots roaches actually travel," says Nicole.
Grab These Pro Picks
Some of the best cockroach controls and prevention measures rely on a multi-pronged line of defence. Combine forces, and use a selection of essential measures to keep your home roach-free this winter.
Combat roach gel is a great pick for your cockroach gel rotation. It comes in an easy use syringe to dispense the product neatly and accurately, and it is available in a double pack.
This pest-specific sealant is better than using caulk or patching up cracks in your home with anything you can find. Plus it dries clear, leaving a far less unsightly finish on surfaces.
Glue traps are useful to identify what kind of roaches are around your home. Simply place around your house and patio to stop them in their tracks, fast. Available as a pack of 12 boards.
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