Denver Property Owners' Step-By-Step Cockroach-Control Guide

Are you familiar with the common cockroaches in our area? While we have many cockroach species, two of them commonly present a problem for Denver residents. They are the American cockroach and the Oriental cockroach. American cockroaches are large, chestnut-colored roaches. They are the largest cockroach pests in the United States. When they get into Denver homes, they make themselves at home. These insects can remain in a structure permanently.

Oriental cockroaches are the black, shiny, armored roaches that you find in damp areas around your home, or crawling inside dumpsters, sewers, and other nasty places. This species can get into your Denver home but its need for damp habitation is likely to prevent it from living with you permanently. But that doesn't mean Oriental cockroaches can't create a problem. When these dirty roaches go in and out of your home, they can transport bacteria and parasitic worms into your pantry, kitchen, and bathroom.

Today, we're going to give you a quick, step-by-step guide to help you protect yourself from the health threat these and other cockroaches can present, and help you with cockroach pest control in Denver.

Step 1: Reduce Things That Attract Cockroaches

When you offer cockroaches a nice habitat around your home, they're going to take you up on your offer. The more roaches that explore your exterior, the greater your chances of an infestation. If you already have roaches in your home, this step can help to reduce cockroach pressures and give you a chance to drive those insects back outside and keep them out.

• Make sure your trash is in sealed containers that are free of strong odors.
• Reduce moisture around your home by cleaning gutters, fixing plumbing leaks, and trimming the vegetation in your landscaping.
• Reduce rotting organic matter.
• Pick up dog droppings from your yard.
• Remove leaves and other organic debris.
• Remove objects that are stacked in a pile, especially wood and stone.
• Remove objects that cockroaches can hide under.
• Keep recycling clean.

Step 2: Seal Entry Points In Your Exterior

Cockroaches are attracted to tight spaces. They can't help themselves. If your Denver home has a gap or crack, cockroaches will squeeze right in. They're just doing what is natural. Use these tips to reduce the number of enticing openings you have in your exterior.

• Seal foundation cracks.
• Repair mortar around bricks.
• Replace weatherstripping or door sweeps that aren't getting the job done.
• Fill in holes created by wood-destroying pests.
• Apply a seal around door and window frames that have gaps.
• Apply a seal around pipes, wire conduits, and other foundation penetrations that have gaps.
• Repair damaged screens.

Step 3: Let Cockroaches Know They're Not Welcome

If a roach gets into your home and finds it to be dry, it could decide to go back out. This is especially true of Oriental cockroaches. Everything you do to reduce humidity and remove dampness will impact cockroaches systematically. It is also important to hide food sources. Cockroaches prefer to live where they can find food.

• Use the fan in your bathroom. The moisture that clings to your walls after a shower or bath will increase the humidity and provide water to drink.
• Fix leaky faucets or showerheads. All those little splatters in your tub, shower, or sink are a strong attractant.
• Fix leaky pipes, garbage disposals, and other plumbing leaks.
• Install dehumidifiers, fans, or ventilation in areas of your home that stay humid.
• Keep your interior foods in sealed containers.
• Keep the interior of your home as clean as possible.
• Store fruit in the fridge.
• Refrain from eating food anywhere but the kitchen and dining room.

Step 4: Professional Pest Control

It pays to have a licensed pest professional on your team. If you have not yet invested in a year-round pest control plan for your home, we highly recommend it. Here are some of the ways a professional can help you with the control of cockroaches. 

• A professional can provide a level of control for cockroaches when you don't have time, energy, or money to do steps one through three.
• A professional can effectively eliminate cockroaches from your home if you already have an infestation. This can be extremely difficult to do if you don't have training and experience.
• A professional can provide an extra level of protection if you have done steps one through three. Every Denver home should have routine treatments. Cockroaches are far from the only pests that can present a threat.

If you live in Denver, reach out to Beeline Pest Control to find solutions for any of your pest control concerns. We support residents and businesses with the highest level of pest control. We can help you find the right solution for your family and your budget.