Are Cockroaches Still A Problem For Houston Homeowners In The Winter?
Throughout Houston and across the nation, few pests are detested more than cockroaches. Unfortunately, while some outdoor pests, like mosquitoes and wasps, are only seen around Houston during the warmer months, cockroaches can strike at any time of year—bringing with them all manner of health risks and other problems.
As with any pest, roaches come into your home looking for food, water, and a warm place to hide. While the summer heat allows them to thrive outdoors, in the winter, the heat coming from your home and the food and water found inside can make it a tempting target.
For Houston homeowners, this can lead to big problems, especially after the holidays. Leftover food from New Year's parties and holiday get-together can give them all the incentive they need to come inside. Once an infestation is underway, it can be nearly impossible to eliminate on your own.
In this blog, we'll take a look at some of the likely hiding spots roaches might use to nest inside your home and steps you should take to stop them.
Where Winter Roaches Could Be Hiding
Due to their small size, roaches can fit into the tiniest holes and crevices before nesting inside and turning a minor problem into a severe infestation. Common indoor areas where roaches are found in the winter include:
Inside toasters, microwaves, and ovens
In bathroom sinks and bathtubs
In kitchen sinks
Behind large appliances like refrigerators, stoves, washing machines, and dryers
Behind or inside large electronic devices like televisions, computers, and gaming consoles
Winter Roach Prevention
With so many potential hiding places, finding the source of a roach infestation can be difficult, and eliminating the problem can be impossible using DIY methods alone—making prevention all the more critical.
Here are some steps you should take to keep your home roach-free this winter:
Clean and vacuum the house thoroughly after having company.
Clean up any crumbs or spilled drinks off the floor as quickly as possible.
Don't let dirty dishes pile up in the sink; if you cannot run them through the dishwasher, then leave them to soak in soapy water.
Wipe down and sterilize counters and tabletops after preparing meals.
Store all non-refrigerated food in sealed plastic or glass containers with tight-fitting lids.
Clean the inside of microwaves, ovens, and toasters regularly to prevent the buildup of crumbs. Turn toasters on and let them run for a few minutes to burn excess crumbs and eliminate scents that could attract roaches.
Seal up garbage in plastic containers with tight-fitting lids and store them several feet away from the home's exterior.
Clean and sanitize food dishes after feeding pets, and never leave pet food out overnight. Keep pet food stored in sealed containers elevated off the ground.
Take out the trash daily or keep it in tightly-sealed bins.
Remove any clutter left around the house, especially in the garage and basement.
Plug bathtub drains so that roaches don't crawl up into the house through water pipes.
Why Call A Professional For Help With Winter Roach Infestations
Unfortunately, these disease-spreading pests won't go away on their own. If you think you have a roach infestation, you can't afford to wait for the problem to sort itself out—you need to take action. Luckily, there is a solution: a comprehensive pest treatment plan from Modern Pest Control. Modern is Houston's trusted source for cockroach solutions. Our trained professionals have all the tools and know-how required to make your roach problem a thing of the past.
If you're suffering from a cockroach infestation or want to prevent one in the future, don't hesitate to contact us today and take back your home!