Down in Florida, we have a roach problem. Simple as. There’s no way around it. If you have a home in Florida, you probably have cockroaches. What matters is just how many. That’s why today, we’ll cover some of the species you can find down here. We’ll also touch on some Brandon natural cockroach control tips and a few of the species you can expect to find in Florida.
Brandon Natural Cockroach Control: The Basics
Nobody wants cockroaches in their house really. They’re small, gross looking armored tanks that skitter around and poop all over the place. They spread germs as they walk all over our counters and utensils as well. So let’s start with some of the basic things you can do to keep them out of your home.
Seal openings around your home
Sadly, just due to the nature of Florida weather, your house is going to take a beating most years. Humidity that’s 90% plus for many months combined with extreme heat, summer storms, and hurricanes make that a fact of life. And during the summer when our homes take the worst beatings is when cockroaches are the most active.
Make sure to take the time to inspect the outer perimeter of your home. Look for cracks and crevices in brick walls that may have crumbled away. Check the rubber lining on all of your windows and doors. And make sure to install a screen door on your home if you don’t already have one. Caulk gaps around pipes that lead into your home as well, and seal every crack you find. Cockroaches can squeeze themselves to very small sizes, but with some Brandon natural cockroach control, you might prevent them from even getting indoors.
Be cleanly.
Now, being clean doesn’t mean you won’t get roaches in your home. But it will absolutely reduce your chances of getting an infestation. These are some of the most opportunistic scavenging insects that exist. Because of this, you need to meticulously clean certain areas of the home every single day. And honestly, the sink is the best place to start. Clean dishes the second you finish with food, or at least before you go to bed. And if you have a drying rack instead of a machine, make sure to scrub the surface with a towel after and leave no crumbs or soap scum behind. Cockroaches can actually eat dish soap, which is why that cleaning those dishes with a rag after is important.
If you have a pet, also, do not just open feed them either. Some of the worst German cockroach infestations can start as simply open bowls of dog food. Also, when you get the bags, don’t just leave a torn and open bag in the cabinet. Roaches can easily reach locations such as these and have themselves a feast. Instead, get a resealable container that you can empty bags of dog food into before recycling them.
Kitchen counters also require special attention. What could be a crumb to you could be a week’s worth of food to certain species of cockroach. So a daily wipe down with some water and a clean cloth into either the sink or a trash bin should be a great help when it comes to naturally controlling cockroaches. So let’s move to our next Brandon natural cockroach control tip.
Clean the bathroom often
If there is one thing that roaches rely on humans for more than food it’s water. Cockroaches are heavily attracted to moisture and leaky pipes, as they can only survive about a week without water. So always wipe up standing water left around sinks, showers, tubs, and toilets. Leaky faucets and pipes underneath the cabinet also need to be fixed. Not only will that attract cockroaches, but it could grow dangerous types of mold.
Regularly empty your bathroom trashcan as well. While a few old tissues may not seem like much of an issue, starchy paper products are a favorite food of cockroaches. I’d recommend dumping the bathroom bin at least once a week, if not more frequently.
Oh, and clean under and inside of any appliances. This goes for everything. The toaster is a big source of food for roaches in many households, so make sure to empty the crumb trays regularly.
Eliminate both indoor and outdoor clutter
Cockroaches love clutter. The more stuff you have in an area, the more places they have to hide in. And if it’s things like cardboard, old books, old magazines, or a bookshelf left uncleaned, then it’s both a bed and breakfast for the roaches! So if you keep piles of cardboard or old boxes around the house, consider getting rid of them. These are simply food and shelter sources for cockroaches, and you’ll need to find a different way to store your things.
Brandon Natural Cockroach Control: The Species Of Florida
Alright, now let’s quickly touch upon some of the most common species of roach you’ll find in Florida. To start is the heavyweight king of this continent.
- The American Cockroach- The largest of the house infesting roaches in the United States, and often mistakenly called the palmetto bug by people who aren’t from here. They can reach up to three inches in length and are strong fliers. They have the ability to bite, but it rarely occurs. When bitten, it may feel like a very light pinch.
- The German Cockroach- The most common cockroach species found in the world. German cockroach infestations can occur in any human habitation. Hotels, homes, and everything in between. They’re light brown with two stripes running down their back that start on the back of their head.
- And finally, the true palmetto bug. – The Florida woods roach is native to the southeast and is the original palmetto bug. It doesn’t infest homes much, thankfully, and is a slow moving ground based cockroach. Less a pest than other species, but still unpleasant to find inside. But if they’re in your home, it was probably an accident!
