Here at Wake Pest, we’ve seen our fair share of cockroach infestations throughout Raleigh, and one thing we know for certain is that prevention makes all the difference. Because of our city’s warm, humid climate, cockroaches can become a year-round nuisance. However, if you stay on top of a few key maintenance tasks, you can significantly reduce your chances of hosting these unwanted pests. We want to share five simple home maintenance tips that we personally recommend to all our neighbors in Raleigh.
1. Eliminate Food Sources
First and foremost, cockroaches thrive when food is readily available. In fact, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) estimates that cockroaches can survive up to a month without food, but only a week without water. This means that while they can go a while before finding their next meal, they’re highly attracted to any home that offers easy access to crumbs or open food containers.
Here’s how you can eliminate easy pickings for roaches in your home:
- Store Food Properly: Use airtight containers or sealed bags for all pantry items like cereal, rice, and pet food.
- Clean Up Immediately: Wipe down counters, sweep floors, and wash dishes right after meals. Don’t leave dirty plates in the sink overnight.
- Use Trash Bins with Tight-Fitting Lids: Roaches can smell food from a distance, so a sealed garbage can is your best friend.
- Keep Pet Food Off the Floor: If you have pets, pick up any leftover kibble after mealtimes. Roaches will feast on pet food just as easily as they do on human food.
When you minimize food sources, roaches are less likely to stick around or set up shop in your home. We at Wake Pest believe a clean kitchen is the foundation of a pest-free home.
2. Control Moisture and Leaks
Cockroaches need moisture to survive, which is why they’re often found in bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. The Raleigh area’s average annual humidity of around 70% can exacerbate moisture problems if your home isn’t well-maintained. Leaky pipes, clogged gutters, and standing water all create ideal roach habitats. We recommend:
- Fix Leaks Promptly: Regularly inspect under sinks and around appliances like dishwashers and washing machines for signs of leaks or drips.
- Use Dehumidifiers: In damp areas like basements or crawl spaces, dehumidifiers can help reduce moisture levels.
- Improve Ventilation: Proper ventilation in bathrooms and kitchens helps control indoor humidity. Turn on exhaust fans or open a window if possible.
- Maintain Your Gutters: Clean out debris so water doesn’t accumulate near your home’s foundation.
A few simple repairs can go a long way. By making sure your home stays dry, you’ll remove one of the biggest attractions for cockroaches.
3. Seal Entry Points
Roaches are incredibly resourceful creatures. A typical American cockroach can squeeze through a gap as thin as one-sixteenth of an inch. To keep them from slipping into your home, you’ll want to seal any entry points around doors, windows, or utility lines. From our experience, this step is sometimes overlooked, but it can make a world of difference.
Check for cracks along your home’s foundation, gaps around pipes, and any holes in window or door frames. Use silicone-based caulk to seal these gaps, and consider installing door sweeps to keep critters from crawling underneath. Even small details—like ensuring your window screens are in good repair—can deny roaches easy access. We’ve seen countless cases where a few minutes with a tube of caulk saved a homeowner from a much larger infestation later on.
4. Declutter and Organize
You might be surprised by how much cockroaches love clutter. Piles of newspapers, cardboard boxes, and stacked magazines create the perfect hiding spots. These pests are nocturnal and prefer dark, quiet places where they can hide during the day. By cutting down on clutter, you’ll reduce their potential hiding zones.
Here are a few organizational tips:
- Store Items in Plastic Tubs: If you’re storing clothes or books in your attic or basement, use sealed plastic containers instead of cardboard boxes.
- Recycle Old Papers: Get rid of newspapers or magazines that pile up. These materials not only create hiding spots but can also be a food source for roaches.
- Rotate Stored Items: Regularly check the areas where you keep belongings, so you don’t accidentally create a safe haven for pests.
Whether you live in a cozy apartment or a spacious family home in Raleigh, a little extra organization can really help keep the bugs at bay.
5. Regular Inspections and Professional Support
Finally, schedule routine inspections for your home. We know pest control might not be at the top of your to-do list, but an annual or bi-annual check can save you money and stress in the long run. Statistics from the North Carolina Pest Control Association show that proactive inspections can reduce the likelihood of severe infestations by up to 50%.
At Wake Pest, we offer integrated pest management (IPM) strategies that combine these home maintenance tips with environmentally responsible treatments. Our goal is to tackle roach problems at the root, which means addressing things like sanitation and entry points before applying any chemical solutions. If you ever need our assistance, we’re just a quick call away. We’re proud to serve Raleigh, and we’d be happy to help you set up a plan that fits your household’s needs.
Why These Tips Matter for Raleigh Residents
With more than 475,000 people calling Raleigh home, it’s no wonder cockroach complaints are common—especially in the warm, humid months. Preventive measures not only protect your family’s health—since cockroaches can spread bacteria like Salmonella—but also protect your property and peace of mind.
By following these five simple tips, you’re creating an environment that is less appealing to cockroaches. You’re also making your home easier to clean and maintain. We like to remind our neighbors that a cockroach-free home is a shared responsibility: we’ll take care of the tricky treatments, but you can help us by taking care of the basics.
Our Closing Thoughts
We believe that knowledge is power, and we hope these tips empower you to take action and safeguard your home against cockroaches. By eliminating food sources, controlling moisture, sealing entry points, decluttering, and scheduling regular inspections, you’re putting up the best defense possible. As a team that’s been serving the Raleigh community for years, we can tell you that these methods really work. They’ve helped our clients achieve cockroach-free homes—and we’re confident they’ll help you too.
If you have any questions or suspect you may already have roaches lurking around, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Wake Pest. We’re always here to provide personalized advice, inspections, and treatments to keep your home comfortable, clean, and cockroach-free.