Scaring Out Sneaky Cockroaches Is Easier Than Ever With This Must-Have Canned Item

Once you see a cockroach in your home, you should act immediately. The old saying, "where there is one roach, there are many more you don't see" holds water. According to a survey done by cockroach expert Richard S. Patterson of the Agriculture Department's Insects Affecting Man and Animals Laboratory, if you see one cockroach, there may be 1,000 that are hidden. The first step to get rid of unwanted roaches is scaring them out of their hiding spots. Compressed air can do just that.

Roaches crave warm, humid, and dark environments with easy access to food and water. Think damp crevices behind appliances, cluttered corners, leaky pipes, and overflowing garbage cans. These havens provide them with the perfect blend of moisture, sustenance, and shelter to thrive and reproduce. Like many other insects, it is the roaches' need for a sense of security that causes them to gravitate toward tight spaces and dark corners, which are unfortunately pretty difficult for us to reach. This is where compressed air comes in. A targeted blast of air disrupts their hiding and nesting spots, sending them scrambling out into the light in a dazed confusion.

Start with the areas where roaches frequently hide, such as behind refrigerators, under stoves, and in and under cabinets. To begin, aim the air can into nooks and crannies, focusing on potential entry points like cracks and crevices. Remember, roaches are surprisingly resilient, so a single blast might not be enough. Repeat the process, systematically flushing them out into the open. You can also use compressed air to get roaches fleeing from game consoles and internet routers, other popular hiding spots for cockroaches where they also lay eggs.

When the roaches get blasted with air, they will become disoriented and flee. Once they're on the run, the best way to scoop them up is with a vacuum. Position the hose near their escape routes and suck them up as they emerge. Once they are all out, it's time to seal the entry points. Use caulk to fill cracks and crevices to help prevent future infestations. Remember, prevention is key, and a well-sealed home makes it more difficult for roaches to get in and set up camp.

While compressed air can be a powerful and effective way to get roaches out of hiding, it won't make them go away for good, especially when there are things like food and water readily available. To do that, you must ensure that your living space is a clean and clutter-free environment. Clutter can be an easily avoidable mistake that's attracting cockroaches to your home. Keep your kitchen counters, tables, and surfaces clean by wiping them down with a sponge or microfiber cloth after cooking or preparing food. Clean up spills and crumbs immediately, and keep all food covered in airtight containers. Don't leave dirty dishes in your sink overnight.

Beyond your own food supply, do not leave food bowls for your pets out overnight, as they will be ready-made meals for nocturnal roaches. Make sure your kitchen garbage cans are covered with lids and emptied daily. Then make sure that everyone in your household is on the same page when it comes to cleanliness and roach prevention.