Getting Rid Of Cockroaches In The Kitchen

• Home›
• Articles›
• Getting Rid Of Cockroaches In The Kitchen

A cockroach problem in the kitchen is more than a little unsettling. You know those roaches are dirty. They're attracted to unsanitary things. You also know that they are more than capable of getting into your packaged foods and crawling all over your dishes. So, you know they have to go. But, when you attempt to get rid of them over and over again, it only adds to that unsettling feeling. Cockroaches aren't easy to control. They have behavior patterns that help them avoid danger, and they can keep appearing. It can feel like a never-ending battle—only because it is. Let's take a closer look cockroach infestations in kitchens, what is going on behind the scenes, and what you can do about it. As always, we're here if you need us. We're your local pest control experts in Phoenix and Tucson. 

Why are cockroaches so hard to eliminate?

When you go after those roaches in your kitchen, what you're likely to see are partial results. It happens often with DIY cockroach control. After treatment, the large roaches disappear, but the babies keep showing up to let you know you still have a cockroach infestation.

The baby cockroaches are much smaller and faster than the adults, which makes them worse by far. You know they're getting into every nook and cranny, including your trash. But why do you keep seeing cockroaches after you apply cockroach control products? Let's take a look.

What is going on behind the scenes

Many treatments do not break the cycle of infestation. While you may eliminate the adult cockroaches and any baby roaches that are skittering around, your treatments won't impact the egg pouches hidden in your home. These pouches, called oothecae, can have many eggs in them. When the oothecae break open and the eggs hatch, tiny nymphs come scrambling out. These are the roaches you see after treatment.

If all you see are tiny roaches, you should pat yourself on the back. Most people don't even achieve this level of cockroach control. Many people use products cockroaches can detect and avoid. These don't work at all. Or they fail to apply exclusions to prevent new roaches from coming in and replacing the ones that were eliminated. But you're still short of your goal, which is to address "all" of the roaches in your home. Is there anything you can do?

What you can do to stop those roaches

Consider your kitchen and only your kitchen. Put all of the other rooms in your home out of your mind. Why do you have cockroaches in your kitchen? It is likely that they came in through your walls. But roaches don't tunnel through wood. They had to use gaps that exist in your walls. If you seal those gaps with caulk or expanding foam, two things will happen. Roaches will not continue to get into your home. They'll also be trapped in your walls and have to come out somewhere else besides your kitchen. If you're able to seal every opening around baseboards, window frames, door frames, etc., you may trap nymphs in your walls when eggs hatch.

Along with sealing every gap, you'll also need to inspect your kitchen and find any oothecae that are hiding in secret places. Underneath your refrigerator and around your over are good places to check first. A deep cleaning and removal of egg pouches will put you on track to get real results.

But, there is a challenge. Cockroaches can go into other parts of your home when you do all of this. You have to create a barrier they have to cross so that they don't live to come back. When control materials are needed, it is best to have a licensed pest control applicator handle the task. 

What professionals do to get rid of cockroaches

When you contact Northwest Exterminating, there are a few ways we help you resolve your cockroach problem. The methods we use are strategic and systematic so cockroaches don't escape the treatments. In most cases, you can expect the following.

• We will thoroughly inspect your home to evaluate your infestation.
• We will apply exclusions in key areas to deter cockroaches from entering after treatment.
• We will use control materials that cockroaches are unable to detect.
• We will apply material into outlets that have a residual impact. As eggs hatch after treatment, the residual materials will work to eliminate them before they can grow, mate, and lay more eggs.

Professional treatment breaks the cycle of infestation and can give you long-lasting results. If you're in the Phoenix or Tucson area, contact Northwest Exterminating for help with these frustrating and pernicious pests.