A Complete Guide to Removing Roaches From Your Home 

Roach infestations are nothing to take lightly. They’re dirty, smelly, and nasty bugs that can multiply quickly–even spreading diseases to family members! But don’t worry because we’ve got you covered with our reliable pest control service in Oklahoma City for all those pesky roaches under your sink or crawling across the kitchen countertop.

Here at Harmony Pest Solutions, we will be sharing with you a blog post discussing a complete guide on how to get rid of roaches in your home. If you think this article will be beneficial to you, we encourage you to keep reading below to find out. 

What Are the Different Species of Roaches That are Commonly Found in the US?

American Cockroach

This species of cockroach has a dark color and grows up to 1 1/2 inch to 2 inches in length. They are the most common roach found in residential areas. They have a reddish-brown color and have a figure 8 pattern on the back part of their head. They have wings and can fly but only for a short distance.

They can bite, which is usually harmless unless they are infected by a disease. A tell-tale sign that American roach has infested your home is when you see small droppings in different areas of your home such as under the sink, below the stove, or the cabinets. Their droppings are small with ridges on the sides.  

Brown-Banded Cockroach

The dark brown roach is the most common species found around homes. These pests can grow up to 1/2 inch long and have light yellow bands on their abdomens, wings, legs, or antennae that serve as identifying features for this insect group. Their likes include dry areas with plenty of heat sources like electronics like refrigerators and televisions.

German Cockroach

This species of cockroach has a light brown color and grows up to 1/2 inch to 5/8 inch in length. It is the most common species of cockroach that can be found in different parts of the world. They have the characteristic two dark parallel stripes on their backs.

They prefer warm and humid places that have a food source. Infestations of this type of roach can be found in both residential and commercial kitchens. They can be difficult to get rid of so you will need a pest control company like Harmony Pest Solutions. 

Oriental Cockroach

This species of cockroach grows up to 1 inch in length. They have smooth bodies with a shiny appearance. The females have wider bodies and do not fully develop their wings while the males have narrow bodies with wings that can cover around 3/4 of their abdomens. This type of roach cannot fly. They have a foul-smelling odor and prefer outdoor areas with moisture. 

Are Roaches Dangerous? 

Roaches can carry bacteria, parasites, and viruses on their bodies, legs, and feces. They can cause diarrhea, dysentery, and other medical problems. Keep in mind that roaches come from trash cans, garbage piles, sewers, drains, animal feces, etc. Roaches can also cause asthma attacks in individuals because of their shed skins and feces. It can be a concern for young children suffering from asthma. 

Why Are Roaches Attracted to Your Home? 

Whenever pests enter your home, they are most likely searching for food, water, and shelter. Roaches prefer warm, moist areas, and humid climates. 

Dirty dishes in the sink

Dirty dishes usually have leftover food on them. Whenever there is food present, it is like an open invitation for roaches to come inside your home because they are always searching for food sources and settle once they find them. 

Crumbs on the table, counter, or floor

When you leave food crumbs on the floor, counter, or table, this will provide roaches with the food source that they need to live. If you want to prevent roaches from infesting your home, you must get rid of their food source. You can do this by cleaning and wiping down the counters, tables, and sweeping and mopping the floor when you see some food crumbs. You must also remove and clean the grease on the stovetop. 

Garbage

When you do not throw your garbage regularly, it can be another food source for roaches. You must throw out your garbage every day and keep your garbage can sealed so that there will be no entry points for the roaches. 

Humid and excess moisture

Roaches love to stay in warm and humid areas. They need moisture to survive. You must check under your sink if you have dripping pipes, leaking faucets, or cracked shower doors as they can attract roaches in residential areas. If you have sources of excess moisture in your home, you must take care of them immediately. 

Unsealed food in the kitchen

You must never leave unsealed food in your pantry or kitchen as this can be also a food source for roaches. You must put food in sealed containers.

Stagnant water in the garden

Roaches can enter your yard especially if you have stagnant water in gutters, flowerpots, or birdbaths. Since they are also searching for a food source, they will be attracted to pet food, birdseed, and fruit-bearing plants especially if it has rotten fruits on the ground. 

How Do Roaches Enter Your Home?

Cracks and crevices

If your doors, windows, and floors have cracks and crevices, roaches can easily use them as an entryway to find their way inside your home. Homes with doors and windows that are not properly sealed or closed completely are prone to roaches entering inside them. 

Old vents and pipes

Another way for roaches to enter your home is through old vents and pipes that have holes or do not have a proper seal on them. You must do a thorough check of your vents and pipes under the sink, if you find out there are holes or they are not properly sealed, you must seal them immediately or switch them out whenever necessary. This way you can prevent any potential entryways for roaches. 

Hitching a ride on items

Roaches are known to hitch a ride on items such as old furniture when you are moving to a new home. You must check for roaches under your cabinets or furniture as roaches can hide under them. 

How to Get Rid of Roaches in Your Home

Clean your home

Roaches are attracted to dirt and filth especially if you have food sources like garbage cans, food crumbs on the floor and counter, dirty dishes on the sink, etc. You must make sure that your home is clean. 

• You must wash the dishes after each meal. Do not leave them on the sink. 
• Clean food crumbs and spills on the table, counter, or floor. 
• Get rid of the garbage regularly. 
• Wipe and clean the grease from the stovetop.
• Place food in sealed containers.
• Mop and sweep the floor frequently.

Use natural home remedies

Check out the natural home remedies for getting rid of roaches in your home.

Baking soda – Baking soda is an effective home remedy against roaches. You can combine baking soda with sugar and flour, or onions. You can place this mixture in areas where you usually find roaches. Once they start eating the mixture, they will slowly die out. 

Borax – Borax is a laundry product that can be used to get rid of roaches. You can combine equal parts of borax and white sugar. You can place the mixture in areas where roaches are commonly found. When the roaches consume the borax it can dehydrate and kill them quickly. 

Boric acid – Boric acid is a commonly used home remedy to get rid of roaches in residential areas. You can do this by mixing equal parts of boric acid, flour, and sugar. Then you can create balls of dough and place them in different parts of the home, especially those areas where roaches are commonly found.

You can place them under the sink, under the cabinets, below the refrigerator, stove, next to the garbage can, etc. The flour and sugar will attract the roaches while the boric acid will kill them once they eat the dough. If you have pets, you must not try this at home as boric acid can be dangerous for them. 

Citrus – Citrus is effective in making the roaches go away. You can use citrus to prevent a roach infestation in your home. You can mix citrus acid with water and place containers filled with it on areas where roaches can be found.

Roaches will steer clear of those areas because they do not like the smell of citrus. You can also use citrus fruit peels in your kitchen because their smell lingers in the air. 

Diatomaceous earth or DE – DE is a natural insecticide. It is consist of pulverized algae that are sharp and dehydrating. When roaches are exposed to DE, it can damage their exoskeleton and dehydrate their bodies causing them to die. You can purchase food-grade DE and sprinkle them into surfaces or areas where there is roach activity. 

Essential oils – Essential oils are natural roach repellants. You can use lemongrass or peppermint essential oils and mix them with water. Then you can spray the mixture in areas where there is roach activity. 

Hire a Trustworthy Pest Control Company

Roaches are difficult to get rid of because they are persistent pests. Once you found out you have a roach infestation, dealing with them can be challenging for you. If you are based in Oklahoma City and you think you have a roach infestation in your home, you can hire Harmony Pest Solutions. We can help you get rid of them as soon as possible. You can schedule with us today by filling up the contact form here. 

We are offering our services in Canadian County, Cleveland County, Logan County, and Mcclain County. If you are interested to hire us for our pest control services please contact us by calling (405) 285-0018 or sending an email at harmonyokc@gmail.com. We are located at 16307 Sonoma Park Drive, Suite #6 Edmond, OK 73013. Get rid of pests in your home and choose Harmony Pest Solutions. What are you waiting for? Contact us now!