Cockroaches are notoriously tough to control, because they reproduce so quickly. One German cockroach (the smaller kind) can lay 40 eggs at a time!
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Remove the Cockroach Welcome Mat
Don’t make it easy for cockroaches to enter your home. Seal exterior openings to keep large cockroaches from invading. Most cockroaches are found in dark, moist areas like basements, cupboards, under kitchen sinks, bathrooms, and in openings where pipes enter walls. Keeping the basement dry and plumbing in good repair can help as well.
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Expert Tip
Don’t Spray Over Baits (Or Bait Over Spray)
Do not place cockroach baits on surfaces which have been sprayed with an aerosol or liquid insecticide. This may prevent cockroaches from returning to the nest and transferring the bait to others. Conversely, never spray over baits, because this may make the baits inedible to cockroaches.
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Creatures of Darkness
Cockroaches have evolved to survive when fewer of their natural predators can see them, so they are more likely to come out in the dark when humans are less likely to squash them. Interestingly enough, just turning on a light will not scare a cockroach away. It is actually the vibrations, noise, and air currents that scare them back into hiding, not light itself.
Where do cockroaches come from?
German cockroaches (the smaller kind) live indoors and can come in from neighboring homes, apartments, condos, garbage areas, or basements. They may also be brought in with foods or other packaging such as cardboard cartons or paper bags. American cockroaches (the larger kind) usually wander in from the outdoors. They may be found outdoors around the foundation, near patios, under mulch, or in the sewer systems. Learn more about German cockroaches here and American cockroaches here.