Portland's Guide To Effective Oriental Cockroach Control
Are you finding shiny, black roaches in your Portland home? If so, those are Oriental cockroaches. The first thing you should immediately understand about Oriental cockroaches is that they need moisture to survive. As cockroach pests go, you can have some real success keeping these roaches out of your home, even if they've already gotten inside. Why? Because Oriental cockroaches (which are often called water bugs) require high levels of moisture and humidity in order to survive. When you make a strong effort to address moisture, it can drive these roaches out of your Portland home.
Step 1: Moisture Control
There are many conditions that can lead to high humidity or the availability of drinking water for Oriental cockroaches. This is far from an exhaustive list, but it's a start.
- Repair any leaking faucets, showerheads, garbage disposals, and plumbing.
- Install ventilation, fans, and dehumidifiers in humid spaces.
- Use the fan in your bathroom when you take a shower or bath.
- Take showers and baths early enough to allow condensation and water droplets to dry up before nighttime when cockroaches are active.
- Consider wiping down your showers, tubs, or sinks after use. Do this for the highest level of moisture control.
- Clean your gutter system and repair any breaks. This will reduce ground saturation near your exterior walls and help to reduce Oriental cockroach activity near your home.
- Remove heavy vegetation, grass, and weeds in your landscaping.
- Water your landscaping in the early morning.
- Remove leaf litter, sticks, and woodpiles near your home.
Step 2: Food Sources
You would be amazed at the list of foods Oriental cockroaches can eat. They eat human food. They eat pet food. They eat food that is rotting (actually, they prefer it). They eat paper products. They eat dead skin, hair, and dead insects. Worst of all, they feed on feces. When you address food sources, not only do you work to drive Oriental cockroaches out of your home, you reduce breeding options and limit the ability for these roaches to make you and your family sick.
- Trash management is key. Put trash in plastic bags. Store bagged trash in covered receptacles. Remove the trash routinely to avoid odors. Keep your trash receptacles as clean as possible. Do this for interior and exterior trash sources. Oriental cockroaches are strongly attracted to rotting things. For the best control possible, remove all trash from your home before nightfall.
- Clean and deep clean your pantry, kitchen, living room, and bathroom. Impeccable sanitation is a powerful weapon in the battle against Oriental cockroaches.
- Store pantry products in sealed plastic or glass containers.
- Consider only eating in your kitchen or dining room, at least until your roach problem has been corrected.
- Remove cardboard stacks in storage rooms and garage spaces. It is best to store cardboard in an exterior storage space away from your home. These roaches thrive on it. Damp cardboard is preferable, so dry boxes can be somewhat more resistant.
Step 3: Mechanical Control
Oriental cockroaches get into your home because they can. After you've taken steps to drive them out, perform an inspection of your exterior and address potential entry points, such as:
- Gaps around exterior doors and windows. Replace weatherstripping and door sweeps that aren't doing their job.
- Cracks in your foundation walls or damaged mortar around bricks.
- Gaps around water mains, electrical wires, or conduits used for wiring.
- Holes in rotting wood, particularly where wood-destroying pests have caused damage.
Step 4: Monitor Your Success
Routine inspections of your interior and exterior can help you determine whether or not your control strategy is working. Look for these signs.
If You Need Help
There are many reasons you might want help getting rid of Oriental cockroaches. It can be a lot of work. You may have conducive conditions that are difficult to address. There may be higher than normal Oriental cockroach pressures in your yard. Whatever your reasons, remember that Big Blue Bug Solutions is always available to assist you. Our licensed pest professionals use a strategy of inspections, treatments, and monitoring to get control of cockroaches. This strategy includes the use of smart technologies, such as insect growth regulators (IGRs), which arrest cockroach development and prevent them from growing, maturing, and reproducing. Connect with us today and ask us about our cockroach control options. We have the answers you're looking for.
chECK oUT THE bUZZ!
Unbeatable Pest Control, Unmatched Reviews
-
"They have exceeded expectations. Highly recommend."Alley Bergemann, called before arriving on the day of the appointment, showed up on time, and took care of re-baiting the bait traps as needed. She is patient, polite and answered a few questions I had, all with a pleasant demeanor.- Jonathan P.
-
"Always been amazed by the competence and professionalism of this company."
Their man, Elijah was a gentleman and very knowledgeable professional. He took the time to carefully listen to me when I explained where the ant infestation was found. He explained clearly what he was going to do to address the issue.
- Pete M. -
"GREAT company!"The Big Blue Bug Solutions is a GREAT company with very helpful, courteous technicians. This a company that actually helps you with your problems and not try to sell you something you don't need. I am very pleased, and NO, I have no relatives that work at- Robert M.
-
"Knowledgeable, accurate and incredibly pleasant."I just cannot believe the most amazing experience customer service experience I had with Laura who could not have been more knowledgeable, accurate and incredibly pleasant. It is very rare I leave a review but this encounter deserved one!- Kimberly H.
-
"Always very polite and accommodating."We’ve been using Big Blue Bug for pest control for many years and have been very satisfied! Vince visited today for our regular check in and he is an excellent technician. Thanks, BBB!- Stacey C.
-
"Knowledgeable, respectful, courteous!"
I highly recommend Big Blue Bug Solutions - first - for their customer service. They are professional and efficient and always try to fit me in at a time that is convenient for me. Second, RODNEY IS THE BEST TECHNICIAN!!!!
- Meredith L. -
"Our first service was a great experience!"Peter called to let us know he was on his way and arrived as scheduled. He was very knowledgeable and setup a comprehensive array of traps in each target area to begin capturing the pests and put an end to our troubles.- Mike H.
-
"Personable, friendly, and knowledgeable!"Shoutout to our tech, Jeremy Cote, who has been servicing our bakery in Richmond and has helped us maintain a pest free environment. He is personable, friendly, and knowledgeable. We highly recommend big blue bug to friends, family, and customers!- Becky M.
WE'RE AVAILABLE
EVERY DAY, ALL DAY,
365 DAYS A YEAR
Say goodbye to automated systems! Our team is at your service round the clock, every single day of the year, guaranteeing a personalized and immediate response to your queries.
