Few things are as aggravating as a roach infestation. As they look for food, these persistent pests will make themselves at home in your kitchen, bathroom, and other living areas. Unfortunately, they reproduce quickly and can spread infections. If you’re sick of living with roaches, let’s figure out How To Keep Roaches Out of Your Home!!

The Most Common Cockroaches in the United States

It is critical to understand the type of roach you are dealing with while dealing with a roach infestation. There are several species of roaches in Indianapolis, but the most prevalent are the German cockroach and the American cockroach. These two will most likely be difficult for you to deal with.

German Cockroaches

German Cockroaches are light brown in color and range in size from 1/2″ to 5/8″. This is the most prevalent cockroach species globally, and Indianapolis, IN is no exception. The two dark, parallel stripes on their backs easily distinguish them. Infestations are likely in both household and commercial kitchens because they like warm, humid environments with easy access to food. They’re difficult to kill, like most cockroaches, so having a professional exterminator on your side can help you get rid of them.

Cockroach from America

American cockroaches are the most prevalent home-infesting roaches, measuring 1-1/2″ to 2″ in length. These roaches are usually reddish-brown with a figure 8 design on the back of the skull. This species has wings and can travel short distances. They can also bite, although unless diseased, their bites are safe. You may first notice an American cockroach infestation by spotting their droppings throughout your home. These droppings are small with distinctive ridges on the sides.

What Draws Cockroaches to Your House?

Whether it’s roaches, ants, termites, or rodents, they’re all most likely looking for food and water supplies that they may readily locate in your home. Roaches, in particular, prefer warm, humid areas such as Florida. Roaches are drawn to:

• The dishes in the sink 
• Crumbs on the floor or the counters
• Garbage
• Excess dampness and pet food on the floor

1. Dishes in the sink 

Cockroaches are attracted to dirty dishes in the sink because they contain leftover food. Roaches are in your home for one of two reasons: they are looking for sanctuary or they are hungry. Allowing dirty dishes to accumulate in your sink provides nourishment for these bugs.

2. Crumbs on the floor or the counter

Crumbs on your floor or counters are another source of food that cockroaches may seek out. The goal is to eliminate any chance for these pests to locate food in your home. When you discover crumbs, wipe down your counters and sweep the floor.

3. Garbage

Rubbish is another source of food, so make sure to take your garbage out regularly and keep your garbage can tightly secured to prevent access points. Some waste bags even promise to emit an odor that repels pests.

4. Pet food

Cockroaches are drawn to pet food on the floor, which is commonly disregarded. If your pet frequently does not eat all of its food and leaves it lying around for later, you should consider investing in a sealable bowl or simply placing the bowl up high where it is not easily accessible.

5. Excessive dampness

Cockroaches require wetness to live. Some of the most typical items that attract cockroaches in residential dwellings are dripping faucets and cracked shower doors. Make sure you take care of any sources of excess moisture in your home!

How Roaches Get Into Your House

Roaches are drawn to your home for several reasons (mentioned above), but attractiveness is only the beginning. They must be able to physically enter your home to create devastation. The most typical way for these cunning pests to infiltrate your home is through gaps and fissures in doors, windows, and other surfaces.

Here’s how roaches get inside your house:

• Cracks and crevices
• Vents and pipelines with holes
• Taking a ride on stuff

1. fissures and cracks

Cracks and gaps in your windows and doors are some of the most common entry points for cockroaches. The most common issues we notice with homeowners are improperly sealed doors or windows that do not close completely.

2. Vent and pipe holes

Another typical way for these pests to enter your home is through your vents and pipes. This is especially frequent with older vents that may have holes or otherwise fail to seal correctly. Check your vents when you replace them, and keep an eye out for leaky pipes under your sink for any potential entryways.

3. Hooking up with goods

While not as prevalent, cockroaches have been known to catch a ride on items such as old furniture when being moved into your home. Check that old table for pests the next time you carry it from the garage to the dining room.

How to Remove Roaches

There are several efficient strategies for getting rid of cockroaches in your home. Here are some methods for getting rid of cockroaches in your home:

• You should clean your house.
• Make use of traps.
• Make use of roach baits.
• Concentrated Spray Liquids

1. Deeply Clean Your Home

This may sound obvious, but roaches are drawn to dirt and filth because they are continually looking for new sources of food. Making your home clean is the simplest technique to get rid of roaches. Make certain that you perform the following:

• After meals, wash and put away the dishes.

• Clean up any crumbs or spills right away.

• Before retiring to bed, take out the trash.

• Clear the grease off the stovetop.

• Food should be sealed in containers.

• Regularly, mop.

2. Make use of store-bought roach traps

The type of trap found in supermarkets or home improvement stores is an excellent means of removing roaches. The device attracts roaches by using a smell or other bait. When roaches inspect the bait, they become entangled in a sticky substance and are effectively trapped inside. To get rid of cockroaches, one alternative is to use a glue trap. These roach traps are successful because the roaches become trapped in them, allowing you to get rid of them. While effective, this isn’t the ideal technique to get rid of a whole cockroach infestation or nest, just a handful. Because results can take up to two weeks, traps should be checked for dead roaches regularly.

3. Make use of store-bought baits

Another systematic method for getting rid of roaches is to use store-bought baits. Chemical baits pass off insecticide as food. Roaches consume the insecticide and then die in their nests. Other roaches consume them, spreading the poison throughout the colony. Chemical baits should be placed near garbage cans, as well as underneath sinks and cabinets in kitchens and bathrooms.

4. Spray Liquid Concentrates

A liquid concentrate meant to repel roaches is also sold in supermarkets. Once diluted, the liquid can be sprayed into cracks and crevices, as well as other places where roaches hide. You may also use the solution to mop the floor and wipe down the counters! If you’re wondering how to get rid of roaches fast, this is one of your finest options!

Natural Ways to Get Rid of Roaches

There are a few strategies we propose if you want to get rid of roaches naturally. Here’s how to naturally get rid of roaches:

• Boric acid
• Baking powder
• Citrus

1. Boric Acid

Boric acid is one of the most effective natural roach repellents. To make a dough, combine equal parts of boric acid, flour, and sugar. Place dough balls around the house where cockroaches can eat them. The roaches will be drawn in by the flour and sugar but will be killed by the boric acid. Simply place the dough in areas where roaches are known to congregate, such as under your refrigerator, stove, and the backs of cabinets and drawers. The roaches will be killed by the boric acid, becoming food for additional roaches. While this is incredibly successful at killing roaches, it is extremely hazardous to pets. Do not do this at home if you have a hairy companion.

Advantages of utilizing boric acid:

• Extremely efficient
• It only needs to be used once.

2. Bicarbonate of Soda

Baking soda, like Boric acid, is lethal to cockroaches. To use this method to get rid of roaches, mix baking soda with anything they are drawn to, such as sugar or onions. Wait in high-traffic places with this mixture. Once they start consuming the combination, you’ll start seeing dead roaches.

Baking soda has the following advantages:

• It’s a common element in baking. You most likely already have it!
• One of the quickest ways to get rid of cockroaches

3. Citrus fruits

Citrus does not kill cockroaches, but it does deter them. If you wish to take precautions before the cockroaches come, combine citrus acid with water and apply it to high-traffic areas. Cockroaches will keep clear of this region as they don’t enjoy the stench. You may also scatter a few citrus peels around your kitchen to keep the scent going.

Citrus has the following advantages:

• Method of prevention
• Cockroaches are deterred before they become a nuisance.

Call a Licensed Exterminator for assistance.

The truth is that roaches are tenacious critters; even if you follow all of these DIY solutions, you may still have an infestation. If you’ve tried these tried-and-true methods and they haven’t worked, you’ll need to hire a professional exterminator to treat your home. For a free quote, contact the Whistler specialists now.

• Important: DIY treatments are not guaranteed to work, especially against pests that breed and spread quickly, such as cockroaches. If you want to get rid of a roach infestation quickly, you should always deal with an experienced and licensed exterminator.

How to Keep Cockroaches Away

There are numerous methods for repelling roaches, and we will explore a few of the more effective strategies that many people employ to make their homes less inviting to these repulsive creatures. Here’s how to keep cockroaches at bay:

• Get rid of the newspapers and cardboard boxes.
• Remove all clutter.
• Repair any cracks.
• Repair any plumbing problems.
• Don’t give them anything.

1. Get rid of newspapers and cardboard boxes.

Roaches are obsessed with cardboard boxes and newspapers. If you leave these items sitting about your house, you are enticing roaches into your home. Roaches love to breed in these materials, so get rid of all newspapers and cardboard boxes in your house.

2. Remove the Clutter

One of the finest roach control tactics is to keep your home in good condition, especially when it comes to goods that are just laying around. Keeping your house free of clutter means there are fewer locations for roaches to hide out throughout the day. These bugs will have to work harder to hide their presence with no shelter for their midday scurrying.

3. Install Door Sweeps and Seal Cracks

Roaches enter homes by crawling in through gaps in the foundation and under doors. Because they can be challenging to spot, you may not even notice the easy access areas, but an expert should be able to discover entry points for you. 

Problem regions include:

• Close to windows and doors
• Throughout the foundation or roof
• Vents in the attic and crawl space
• Around electric, gas, and plumbing line holes

We recommend inspecting these problem areas at least once a year and sealing any cracks or holes that you find. Caulk can be used to seal tiny gaps, while steel wool and foam are better for bigger gaps, especially around pipes. A tiny wire mesh can be used to construct a barrier over larger apertures such as chimneys or attic vents.

4. Inspect and repair any plumbing problems or leaks regularly.

Bugs are drawn to moisture because, like people, they require water to survive. Often, homeowners are unaware that they have leaks or water problems that attract pests. If you find any leaks or plumbing problems, have them repaired as quickly as possible. It’s a good idea to evaluate your home’s faucets, sinks, refrigerators, and appliances regularly to ensure they’re not leaking or producing too much moisture.

5. Avoid Feeding the Roaches

You’re bound to attract a bug or two if you leave an uneaten dog or cat food sitting about. To prevent roaches from having easy access to food sources, we recommend installing a dog food dispenser and eliminating any food your pet doesn’t consume straight away from the floor.

Get Professional Assistance

Because roaches are such a common nuisance in Indiana, protection only goes so far. The truth is that most homeowners will have a roach infestation in their homes at some point. While there are many things you can do to make your home an uninviting habitat for bugs, nothing avoids a pest infestation like hiring Whistler Indianapolis cockroach exterminator specialists.

Low-Cost Pest Control From Whistler Exterminators

Whistler Pest Exterminators provides the best pest management in Indianapolis and the surrounding areas. Our pest control solutions begin as low as you can think in this industry and can protect your house from a range of pests throughout the year, including roaches! If you are fed up with roaches in your home, our professionals can assist you. Contact a roach exterminator near me or us by calling (317) 943-4008 now or visit our website to find out Can Roaches Make You Sick?