Make your home roach free

They crawl, they fly, they are disgusting. But cockroaches do not just cause your skin to crawl, they can contaminate your food, transmit dangerous bacteria, and survive even the best-intentioned eradication attempts. However, there are things you can do to shut down even the most stubborn infestations.

First you must identify the problem. There are over 4,000 cockroach species in the world, there are two that you are most likely to encounter and one is German cockroach, which is small and does not fly. The other is the American cockroach which does fly.

Second, if you are squeamish, or have a phobia, call in a pest eradication company. If not, here’s what you need to do: 1. These pests need sustenance to survive and they can live off almost anything. Ensure that you clean up spilled or leftover food. Do not leave dirty dishes on the counter or in the sink.

2. Check behind cabinets and appliances and clean those areas.

3. Store your garbage in a bin with a tight-fitting lid and take it out regularly. Clean the bottom of the trash can.

4. In addition to food, roaches need hiding places. These include stacks of paper and cardboard boxes, so get rid of you have lying around.

5. While sanitation and good housekeeping are key, using bait is also a good idea. Try not to spray insecticide because it may contaminate surfaces that you do not want contaminated: countertops and appliances.

6. Roaches can flatten and scuttle their way through cracks so shut out any future invaders by sealing up gaps between the interior and the outdoors.

7. Don’t forget about the things you take into your home either. Groceries, deliveries, or old furniture can all contain hitchhikers, so inspect them carefully. Shutting out these unwelcome intruders and making your home inhospitable to their yucky habits are the secrets to keeping them away for good. (Good Housekeeping adapted)