With our seemingly endless winters, Mainers know not to take a moment of summer for granted. However, as wonderful as the summertime is, it is not without its challenges. We may not deal with pests like scorpions or poisonous snakes, but we still have some dangerous pests to contend with. That’s why summer cockroach prevention matters for Maine residents.
Why Cockroaches Are Bad News
Cockroaches are more than just ugly bugs. They are potentially dangerous pests that you do not want inside your home.
The major problem with roaches is that they spend their time in very unsanitary places before moving into your living environment. If you knew that something had just crawled through the garbage, over dog poop in the yard, or through a decomposing animal body and was then crawling around on your countertops (or food) you’d want to put an end to it right away.
That’s exactly what cockroaches do, and in the process, they spread bacteria, contaminate food, and leave your family at great risk of getting sick. Cockroaches are linked to all kinds of bacterial illnesses, parasitic worms, and pathogens. Furthermore, when cockroaches shed body parts or leave behind waste, they can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms in some individuals.
Cockroaches love hot weather, which makes summer the time of year when they are most active and most likely to infest your home as they look for food. The following things can attract them to your house:
- Food left out on counters. If you typically leave fruit or other food out on your counters, now would be a good time to put it away, either in the refrigerator or in sealed containers.
- Dirty dishes. If you leave dishes out after eating, whether on the counter or in the sink, they can attract cockroaches. It’s best to put them in the dishwasher or wash them right away.
- Crumbs and spills. Wiping down your counters after meals, sweeping the floors, and cleaning up spills or messes as soon as they happen are good ways to prevent cockroaches from considering your home a nice place to move into.
- Garbage. Garbage can ripen very quickly in the hot days of summer. By taking it out frequently, especially if you have a lot of edible items in it, you’ll reduce your chances of a cockroach infestation.
- Moisture. Roaches prefer moist environments. If you have areas in your home that have high humidity or a water leak cockroaches are more likely to stay.
What to Do if Cockroaches Invade
Cockroaches are good at hiding once they get into your house. Furthermore, they’re difficult to kill and they reproduce rapidly. That’s why it’s best to call the professionals at Big Blue Bug Solutions if you discover you have a cockroach infestation. We can eliminate your roach problem, making your home a safe place again. We’ll also determine how the cockroaches got in to help you avoid a future infestation. Contact us today to set up an appointment.