How to Limit Access of Cockroach

Cockroaches are likely to reinvade as long as a habitat is suitable to them (i.e., food, water, and shelter are available), so the conditions that promoted the infestation must be changed.

During the day cockroaches hide around water heaters, in cupboard cracks, stoves, crawl spaces, outdoor vegetation, and many other dark locations. They invade kitchens and other areas at night. Limiting hiding areas or avenues of access to living areas is an essential part of an effective management strategy. False-bottom cupboards, hollow walls, and similar areas are common cockroach refuges. Prevent access to the inside of buildings through cracks, conduits, under doors, or through other structural flaws. If it is not practical to remedy these problem areas, treat them with boric acid powder insecticides formulated for cockroach control.

Go through all of the cupboards, find any food that may be accessible by cockroaches. Buy containers that can be sealed, and put the food inside the containers. Again, with infestations, limiting their food source will undoubtedly lower their numbers. Cockroaches are highly elusive and can fit in small areas; they can easily sneak into a bag that is not closed thoroughly.

It would be nearly impossible to eliminate all access routes for a cockroach. Getting rid of a few of the routes can slow the progress of cockroaches into a house. One way to limit access to the house is to walk around the house and find any entrances that can be used. Then, caulk or grout any vulnerable areas in which the cockroaches can enter the building. This will also eliminate the source for other small bugs to enter the house.

Limit Access

Take the following measures if observation or trapping shows roaches are migrating into a building from outdoors or other areas of the building:

• Seal cracks and other openings to the outside.
• Use weather stripping on doors and windows.
• Look for other methods of entry, such as from items being brought into the building, especially appliances, furniture, and items that were recently in storage.
• Inspect food deliveries before putting them in kitchens.
• Look for egg cases (oothecae) glued to undersides of furniture, in refrigerator and other appliance motors, boxes, and other items. Remove and destroy any that you find.
• Locate and seal cracks inside the treatment area where cockroaches can hide.
• Trim shrubbery around buildings to increase light and air circulation, especially near vents, and eliminate ivy or other dense ground covers near the house, as these may harbor cockroaches.
• From around the outside of buildings remove trash and stored items such as stacks of lumber or firewood that provide hiding places for cockroaches.
• Consider keeping a layer of gravel about 6 to 12 inches wide around the perimeter of buildings.

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