No one likes pests, and roaches are among the most hated of them all. If you live near the beach, particularly in a subtropical region, chances are you familiar with these pests. Nothing dampers a beach stay quicker than a roach invasion, so it’s valuable to know how to get rid of roaches at the beach.
Given the moisture at the beach, getting rid of roaches will require a multifaceted approach. Natural treatments and proper cleaning will help in most cases, but chemical treatment may be necessary for a more severe infestation. In extreme cases, calling an exterminator will be the best solution.
To choose the correct treatment method, you will need to assess the scale of your roach problem. Once you know the scale of what you are dealing with, you will need to prepare your home for treatment before starting with suitable pest control.
How To Get Rid Of Roaches At The Beach
Before starting with pest control, it is vital to inspect your home. Once you know where the roaches are entering your home and where they are hiding, you can formulate a suitable treatment.
There are different pest control methods, and depending on your situation, you may need to use a combination of them. Always try to start with the least invasive and most environmentally friendly methods.
- Preventative measures. A good first line of defense is to prevent roaches from entering your home.
- Natural methods and homemade pesticides. The most environmentally and often cheapest method of pest control.
- Chemical treatments. Store-bought pesticides often kill beneficial bugs and insects and should only be used if natural methods fail.
- Calling an exterminator. Although the most harmful, it may be the only solution in the case of an extreme infestation.
How Do You Find A Cockroach Nest?
Cockroaches, or palmetto bugs, love warm, humid climates, but they do not like light. They will hide in dark places in the daytime. Roaches are small, and their bodies are flat to get into the tiniest places.
You will recognize a roach nest by the droppings, dead skin, and smell. You may also find small baby roaches where they nest.
Starting on the outside, walk around your house and look for any cracks in the exterior. They can easily enter through air vents, the small space underneath the door, and windows that are not sealed properly. Pay attention to any gaps near the plumbing pipes. Roaches need water, and the condensation around the pipes is an excellent source of much-needed water.
Moving inside, inspect the living room and bedrooms for any small openings in the walls, windows, and around your closet. Roaches love the warmth of electronics and often nest inside them.
The kitchen and bathroom contain many cupboards with warm places to hide and plenty of food. Look for any gaps between the cupboards and walls, especially the cupboard under the sink.
Unplug your refrigerator and other appliances such as the oven and washing machine and pull them away from the wall. Move the microwave as well.
How Do You Lure Roaches From Their Hiding Spots?
Any cracks in the walls will need to be sealed to prevent more roaches from entering and breeding in your walls. However, before sealing the cracks, you need to draw as many out of the walls as possible.
The most effective way of luring them out is by enticing them with a snack. Glue traps are easy to make using a piece of cardboard, double-sided sticky tape, and a snack in the middle to attract them. Place the traps in the areas they hide, such as the cupboard beneath the kitchen sink.
Once most roaches are out of hiding, sprinkle boric acid inside the cracks and thoroughly seal all openings with caulk. The boric acid will kill the remainder of the roaches in your walls.
How Do You Clean A Roach-Infested House?
Roach treatment will be pointless without properly cleaning your house and keeping it clean. After all, they will only return once the pesticides have worn off.
Deep cleaning your house will ensure your cockroach treatment is effective and prevent future infestations. During and after treatment, continue deep cleaning your home weekly.
- Vacuum all your carpets, making sure to move the furniture away.
- Clear out and clean all cupboards, cabinets, and closets with disinfectant.
- Remove any cardboard boxes and old newspapers and through them out.
- Package and seal all your food items in airtight containers.
- Make sure the countertops are clean.
- Do the dishes immediately after eating.
- Take your garbage bins out and leave them outside.
- Clean your drains with bleach.
How To Get Rid Of Palmetto Bugs Naturally
Natural pest control methods should be the first treatment you try when you find yourself with a roach problem. It causes the least harm to the environment and makes the smallest dent in your pocket.
Boric acid is a highly effective natural treatment for roaches. Sprinkle boric acid under the refrigerator and other dark areas.
Another effective natural roach remedy is a borax and sugar mixture using equal parts of borax and sugar. Place the mixture near their hiding spots.
There are certain smells that roaches hate. Essential oils like lemon, peppermint, and lemongrass will deter roaches. Burning essential oils in your home will keep them away.
What Is The Best Roach Killer?
As with many things in life, “best” is subjective, and not all pesticides marketed as the best will work for you. Most often, using one or two in conjunction with each other is the most effective.
Overall, boric acid seems to be the best natural roach killer. Some say it even competes with chemical pesticides. However, when your roach invasion is more severe, natural treatments may be inefficient and chemical pesticides are more likely to get rid of the roaches.
There are several pesticides on the market, and it can be overwhelming to choose one. Luckily there are a few that have been proven to work.
- Advion Cockroach gel bait. Available in syringes for easy application. The active ingredient is indoxacarb, which slowly kills an infected roach to infect others before dying.
- Diatomaceous earth. A type of sand containing silica. The silica removes the waxy coating on their bodies and kills them through dehydration.
- Gentrol. Disrupts the natural lifecycle of roaches by causing mutations that prevent them from reaching adulthood.
- Phantom. An insecticide spray that spreads on contact.
Why Do Beach Houses Have Roaches?
You may have heard that roaches can go for weeks without food, but if they need one thing, it’s water. Beach houses have an unlimited supply of water due to the morning mist coming from the ocean.
Unfortunately, this moisture in the air makes beach houses a target for roaches. Beach houses in subtropical areas are hot and humid, adding to the allure and making them roach heaven.
Conclusion
Roaches are a particularly stubborn pest to get rid of. This is especially true in beach areas where it is impossible to deprive them of the water they need to survive.
Struggling with a cockroach infestation can feel frustrating and overwhelming. Luckily, proper planning and the right combination of pest control can eliminate roaches from your home. You can also deter them and avoid future infestations by taking preventative steps.
References
- https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthisbug/comments/qt4xq9/can_someone_help_me_with_these_bugs_they_have/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/Miami/comments/cb42pg/depressed_about_my_roach_situation_need_help/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/Miami/comments/l1n1z0/miami_peepshow_do_you_keep_your_items_in_your/
- https://www.lifehack.org/390971/how-to-get-rid-of-roaches-without-harming-you
- https://www.grove.co/blog/8-tips-to-get-rid-of-roaches-naturally#:~:text=Boric%20acid,roaches%20can%20feed%20on%20them.
- https://www.amazon.com/product-reviews/B00730QW70