Discovering roaches inside your home is alarming. It can be difficult to contain these persistent critters as they invade your personal space. While hiring an exterminator for roach control is the most effective step that you can take to protect your home, there are a few precautionary measures that may prevent future infestations. Here’s what you should know.

How to Prevent Roaches From Invading Your Home

1. Seal All Openings

It doesn’t take much space for a roach to enter your home. Even a minuscule crack provides these unwelcome visitors with enough room to crawl inside relatively quickly. Inspect the areas around all windows and doors for visible crevices. Use caulk and weatherstripping to create a foolproof seal that blocks them, along with other critters, from entering the home.

2. Tidy the Exterior

A great way to practice preventative roach control is to maintain the shrubs surrounding your house. Thick bushes and overgrown shrubs provide wonderful hiding spots for these stubborn insects. They may also make their home in piles of firewood or newspaper bundles. Keep your exteriors as tidy as possible so that they don’t make hiding places directly outside your home.

3. Clean the Kitchen

Like other pests, roaches are attracted to food and water. The presence of a few crumbs, a sprinkle of sugar, or a bag full of trash can lure them in easily. Take every measure to maintain a spotless kitchen so that there are fewer reasons for roaches to come inside. Wipe down counters at the end of the day, maintain a clean floor, and store foods in airtight containers. Never leave trash cans uncovered or place bags on the floor — the odor alone is enough to draw in roaches.

4. Check the Bathroom

Since roaches are attracted to moisture, it’s not unusual to spot them in the bathroom. The trick is to make sure there aren’t any troubling water sources causing a roach-friendly environment. Check fixtures for leaks, especially the areas underneath the sink and behind the toilet. Always seal any openings around tubs, toilets, and sinks to minimize their chances of hiding.

Are you concerned about the presence of roaches in your home? Turn to the pest control experts at Joy Exterminators. The family-owned business proudly serves homeowners throughout Marietta and Beverly OH, and Parkersburg, New Martinsville, and St. Mary’s, WV. The exterminators have over 50 years of industry experience and handle even the toughest roach control issue. Visit the website for information, or call them at (740) 473-2739 to schedule an appointment.