Common Mistakes That Make It Harder To Get Rid Of Cockroaches

No one wants to find cockroaches in their home. These pests can cause a number of problems — from spreading potentially life-threatening diseases to causing all sorts of damage to a home. And, unfortunately, ridding your home of these bugs can be a challenge. During an exclusive interview with House digest, Ben Hottel, an entomologist with Orkin, told us how complicated cockroach extermination is. "Getting rid of roaches and keeping them out of a home is an ongoing process, not a one-time treatment. These pests are extremely adaptable and may even be resistant to some DIY cockroach extermination methods, making them among the most difficult pests to treat."

Between the threat cockroaches pose to your health and home and how challenging it is to remove them, it's crucial not to make mistakes that could complicate the process further. We asked Hottel to walk us through some of the most common errors homeowners make when trying to tackle a cockroach problem — and what they should do to combat these pests more effectively. He identified three main blunders to avoid: using the wrong products, not applying insecticides properly, and overlooking key home cleaning and maintenance tasks.

One key mistake that Hottel says you'll want to avoid is using the wrong insecticides to get rid of the bugs. "Many over-the-counter products are not effective against cockroaches, especially if the roaches are harboring in hard-to-reach areas that the homeowner may not see," he told House Digest exclusively. In addition to choosing an effective insecticide, it is also crucial to know how and where to apply it. "Repellents typically don't get rid of cockroach problems. Instead, they force cockroaches to move to other parts of the home, causing a more widespread infestation that becomes harder to manage," cautioned Hottel.

Another avoidable mistake that attracts cockroaches to your home is letting your space get overly cluttered or dirty. "Access to food, standing water, and clutter provides cockroaches with the resources they need to thrive," explained Hottel. Unsealed pantry items, leaky pipes, piles of laundry, and other messes are just a few of the things that many people don't realize are attracting roaches to their home. "Without addressing these factors first, infestations can persist despite other control efforts," warned Hottel.

There are occasions when you can perform pest control yourself and others when it's best to call a professional. According to Hottel, a cockroach infestation is something that's better left to the pros. "Cockroaches are better at hiding than homeowners are at finding them. Without special equipment, materials, and know-how, cockroach control can be a losing battle," he says. "There are many different kinds of cockroaches that require different approaches. Proper identification of the species is extremely important to understanding how to control the problem," he added. A professional will be better able to determine the cause and take steps to get rid of the cockroaches before they have a chance to cause more property damage or threaten your family's health.

In his exclusive interview with House Digest, Hottel highlighted some things you can do to prevent future infestations and ensure that the current one doesn't get worse. For one, he recommended keeping your home clear of food debris. "Homeowners can use a vacuum to remove food sources, as well as roaches and their egg cases ... It is important to empty the vacuum immediately and place the vacuumed debris in bagged garbage bag outside of the home," he said. Hottel also suggested removing potential hiding spaces and urged homeowners to "stay on top of recycling and trash and avoid keeping boxes and packaging inside the home, even in garages and attics." He added, "Most roaches seek out areas of high moisture and humidity, so leaky pipes and standing water can be attractive to them."