There isn't a continent on Earth except for Antarctica, where you will not find a roach. These insects have proven to be resilient and adaptable with over five thousand species, unfortunately for us. So, unless you plan to move to Antarctica, check out the tips to keep cockroaches out of your apartment. It is possible and worth the effort.
What attracts cockroaches to our living space?
Know thy enemy. To battle roaches with success, you need to know what attracts them. The four species found in Florida, American cockroaches, German cockroaches, Oriental, and Smokey Brown (or Brown-banded) cockroaches, thrive in its warm and damp climate. They don't need much else except food and water, and they eat practically everything. Being scavengers, they are entirely satisfied with all kinds of gross stuff found in and around your home, not just your food and drink leftovers. Roaches will eat plant matter, human food and garbage (sometimes the line is thin between the two), dead skin cells and hair, soap bars, and even human and animal excrement.
Cockroaches need water and will die from dehydration after a week without it. Unfortunately, standing water is easy to find in Florida, which makes roach eradication more difficult. They can be found even in clean homes because trash is not the only thing attracting them. Easy access to (any kind of) food and water, and cracks and crevices where they can hide, make for ideal roach habitat. Being nocturnal insects, they prefer dark spots, regardless of their cleanliness, where they can live undisturbed. Regular and professional pest prevention is necessary wherever you live, because roaches are - everywhere.
What makes cockroaches so bad for us?
The skin-crawling and cringing effect we all get upon seeing roaches scuttle across the floor (wall, ceiling, or countertops) is the least of unpleasantries. Roaches are carriers. Their way of life and their diet make them perfect hosts for more than 30 kinds of bacteria, in addition to several parasites and pathogens harmful for humans. Being unable to control where they spill their waste, they are known to spread these pathogens all over your home rather quickly.
Roaches can run at a speed of about three miles an hour, some can also jump, while some species (Brown-banded) can even fly. When you add that to the fact that they quickly reproduce, it is easy to imagine your worst nightmare. Nonetheless, there are ways to keep cockroaches out of your apartment, and you can achieve the best results if you combine those practices.
How to keep cockroaches out of your apartment?
Sometimes referred to as a palmetto bug, the American cockroach can reproduce without males if necessary. So, if you notice a single (supposedly female) cockroach in your home, it doesn't mean that you're safe. Ideally, you would do your best to make your home as unattractive to them as possible. To ensure cockroaches find your apartment unhospitable, follow these steps.
Inspect damp, dark, and warm spaces in your home for any evidence of roach presence
If you live in Daytona Beach, you have likely come across these disease-carrying insects. Finding at least one in your home is the first sign you should improve your home cleaning habits and inspect challenging to reach places and any potentially damp storage area.
Often, roach nests can be found behind heavy appliances, within storage boxes, or old and moldy furniture. In the case of furniture, the best way to get rid of cockroaches is to dispose of those pieces. You can simply call a moving crew from the area to help you out and remove old and infested pieces from your home to a safe storage space. Then, you should start with deep cleaning and disinfection.
Clean your home regularly and keep it dry
Simply cleaning your home is not sufficient to keep cockroaches away. The Florida climate is humid and humidity can easily sneak inside your home along with roaches. Your home maintenance habits should be flawless. Don't leave dirty dishes in the sink. Whenever you wash something, dry it out well before storing it. Dry out any sources of standing water, for example, flower and plant saucers.
Keep your trash in a tightly shut bin and empty it often. Be on the lookout for any leaks in your kitchen and bathroom(s), and especially if you have a basement. Vacuum often and don't skip those hard to reach places - this is precisely what roaches expect you to do. If, by chance, you do vacuum up a roach, replace the vacuum bag, and throw the old one away immediately.
Keep your apartment in top-notch condition
It seems that cockroaches are designed to survive. They don't need much food, water, or space. They are small enough to get through tiny cracks in the wall, slip under the doors, or loose-fitting windows. They can come up from the sewer and stop by for a visit on the way to your sloppy neighbor and decide to stay.
Aside from making your home unattractive to them, make sure you minimize the entrance points. Inspect your apartment often on your own. If you notice any cracks or leaks, don't wait until they spread, but call a professional to fix them. If you ensure that there are no structural issues and that your home is clean and dry, but you still notice a cockroach, professional cockroach pest control is in order.
Keep your kitchen tidy and do not take food and beverages to other rooms
Your kitchen (including your pantry) is a potential cockroach paradise. Unless you thoroughly clean up after yourself and your family members, there is a number of things that can quickly attract cockroaches to your apartment. To prevent that, wipe any spills instantly. Vacuum the crumbs and greasy stains from and around your microwave, oven, backsplash, and countertops. Keep any open packages with food tightly closed or in airtight containers. If you have pets, don't leave out any leftover food and water. Move appliances like the stove and fridge away from the wall frequently and clean behind them.
Staying informed is key
One way to live free of these insects is to learn about cockroaches and keep them out of your apartment with the help of these tips. If this tactic fails, make sure to delegate the task to experts. They can help you in this situation, but also give you some advice on how to deal with it in the future.