A cockroach infestation in an apartment is without a doubt one of the most problematic insect problems to deal with.
However, don’t worry if you have found yourself in an unpleasant situation concerning pesky pests.
There are plenty of ways to get rid of roaches and reclaim your apartment.
You can seal all cervices and windows, use boric acid or commercial roach repellents, and even call in pest exterminators.
Why Do You Have Roaches in Your Apartment?
Following the right course of action to get rid of roaches necessitates understanding why they are attracted to your apartment in the first place.
Roaches that you see in your apartment are categorized into domestic cockroaches and peridomestic cockroaches.
Domestic cockroaches, such as German roaches, spend most of their time indoors.
Generally, these species enter apartments through crevices and holes in the walls by migrating from neighboring apartments or storage rooms.
They can also invade your home by hiding in an infested object.
On the other hand, peridomestic cockroaches are less common in apartments. However, they can still be a nuisance for inhabitants.
They favor wet habitats like basements, sewers, and sewer pipes.
Therefore, they are more likely to be found in apartments on the lower levels.
In addition to cracks and crevices, cockroaches can get in through other access sites like gaps under the front door.
Also, keep in mind that roaches prefer dark, undisturbed environments.
So if you live in an apartment that doesn’t get enough sunlight or you keep the lights off, you may have a problem with roaches.
Wetness is another circumstance that may draw a roach into an otherwise clean and tidy apartment. Even the water bowls that you keep out for your pet can attract these pests!
Moreover, even though cockroaches are typically associated with dirty environments, they are equal opportunity invaders that may also thrive in clean dwellings.
Roaches are extraordinarily adaptable.
Their diet is extremely diverse, and they are masters of concealment. Adaptations like this allow them to thrive in a wide variety of situations.
As a result, almost any apartment makes a comfortable abode for them, especially if it is dirty. Dust, food crumbs, and unclean dishes that have been left out overnight, can entice roaches.
In addition, they enjoy moist and greasy cabinets and drawers, so if you have leaking plumbing or otherwise damp areas in the apartment, you may eventually attract roaches.
Roaches also prefer empty spaces and will establish a nest in your absence if you spend a lot of time away from home.
How to Get Rid of Roaches in an Apartment
Cockroaches can be a nuisance in a variety of ways.
They are an eyesore and a source of embarrassment since they convey the image of filth and shabby living conditions to anyone who sees them.
They can also cause health hazards as they carry germs and other disease microorganisms on their bodies. Their presence can also cause asthma and other allergies.
Allergy problems are more prevalent in youngsters than in adults. Contamination of food by cockroaches in storage and preparation is yet another cockroach problem.
For all these reasons, you may want to get rid of roaches in your apartment as soon as possible.
Here are some tried and tested methods that you can try to drive these pests away for good.
Clean the Apartment
Food crumbs and moist, dark areas make the perfect combination for roaches.
If you suspect that roaches are hiding in your kitchen, you should thoroughly clean the entire apartment.
Cockroaches enjoy hiding, so clean the locations you may not see or clean on a daily basis, such as behind the refrigerator or under the cabinets.
They also hide in trash cans and recycle bins.
Take whatever steps are necessary to clean your home of any debris that may serve as an attraction for roaches.
This may include using a disinfectant spray, vacuums, and mop.
Also, make it a habit to take out your trash on a regular basis.
Cockroaches feast on trash on garbage, which means leaving it overnight is a surefire way of getting a roach infestation in your apartment.
Use Boric Acid
Boric acid can be used as a first-line home treatment for pest management.
The general rule of the thumb is to mix equal portions of boric acid with wheat and sugar and produce dough.
Place some of the dough at the spots where cockroaches like to congregate. They will perish as soon as they consume the dough.
In addition to using water, sugar, and flour, you can combine the boric acid powder with other ingredients such as peanut butter or condensed milk to attract cockroaches.
However, keep in mind that these ‘treats’ may also entice other animals.
So, if you have pets, it is advisable to remove them from the apartment or avoid using this method because boric acid may be harmful to them.
Seal the Windows
Cockroaches may get access to your apartment through cracks in your windows.
The good news is that you can easily prevent this by sealing the windows.
The fact remains that because cockroaches have the ability to squeeze through even the smallest of openings, it is critical to have your windows professionally sealed if possible.
Fill all Cervices
Cracks, gaps, and openings in your plumbing system attract roaches because they are drawn sources of water.
Close the passage of entry by using caulk to fill any holes or cracks in your doors, windows, and plumbing systems.
Make sure there are no obvious leaks in your faucets and pipes and treat the area under your sink regularly. It is also a good idea to check your lease agreement to see if the maintenance can handle it for you.
Use Baits & Roach Repellent
Numerous cockroach repellents are easily available in the market. You should opt for sprays, treatments, and baits from recognized companies for maximum effect.
Many apartment dwellers employ sprays and sticky traps to control roaches, but you may discover that baits are the most successful method of treatment.
Use gel bait in any cracks or crevices you feel they may be hiding in.
Infected roaches can transfer the poison back to other roaches hiding in the shadows, or they can be killed right away by the bait. It may sound dodgy, but it works!
Remove Plants & Decorations
Roaches are attracted to overgrown and unkempt plants as well as well-maintained plush landscaping, among other things. Plants are a favored habitat for this species.
Dense vegetation, leaf litter, and mulch also make excellent hiding places for them. Other pests, such as spider mites, can find refuge in potted plants and planters.
So, if you are experiencing a roach infestation in your apartment, consider removing your indoor plants.
If that’s not possible, you can minimize the use of mulch to deter roaches from entering your home.
Also, be cautious when approaching galleries.
When a lot of plants and flowers are kept in a gallery, it can establish a sustainable ecology for insects and pests, especially if the plants are overwatered.
Call Professional Pest Exterminators
Sometimes, the best way to deal with a cockroach infestation is to let the professionals handle it for you.
Roaches are difficult to get rid of because they like to hide in places where they are not seen.
It makes it almost impossible to cover all of the regions of the apartment where they have invaded or all of the hiding spots where they have buried themselves.
There is a possibility of missing a place.
Therefore, if you can’t seem to get rid of roaches, call in a pest control specialist. They can assist you in totally eliminating roaches and other pests from your home.
They can conduct a complete inspection, develop a safe and effective plan and solution, and instruct you on how to keep them from coming back into your apartment.
Who Is Accountable for Pest Extermination in Apartment?
In most cases, lease contracts spell out who is responsible for eradicating bugs from the flat.
If you live in a community where pest treatment is included in your monthly utility bill, you may have to pay for it.
In any case, notify the owner of the property or the manager of the building as soon as you discover these pesky pests in your apartment.
Depending on the terms of your lease, your landlord or property management will either take care of the matter or provide you with advice on how to address it on your own.
You can also request that they spray their flat once or twice a month.
You should submit a maintenance request or contact your landlord or property manager directly to request that your unit be sprayed again.
It’s best to get this taken care of as soon as possible if they don’t have an outside contractor routinely scheduled for this type of problem.
Also, remember that as long as cockroaches are in the area of your flat, there is a potential that they will find their way into your home.
Therefore, ensure that the building is promptly cleaned by the management.
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