Winter brings bitter cold temperatures and severe weather that can change the thermal properties of your home. It can also bring pests from the outside into your home to seek shelter from the elements. One example is the most common species of cockroach in the world today – the German cockroach (Blattella germanica). German Cockroaches range in size from 1.1 centimeters to 1.6 centimeters and are not the best house guests.
German Cockroaches are thigmotatic meaning they tend to live in the tiniest of areas often near food and moisture making your home an ideal choice for lodging. You might find them in and around your kitchen, bathroom, basement or attic. While they have a tendency to contaminate food sources and spread bacteria, they also can trigger allergies and exacerbate asthma symptoms. This is a real danger to children in particular.
Here are a few recommendations for keeping German Cockroaches out in the cold:
- Take out your trash daily.
- Wipe down counters daily following any meal preparation lifting appliances and decor in an effort to be thorough.
- Sweep, vacuum, and mop your floors to maintain a crumb-free zone.
- Following bath/shower time, dry up moisture from floors and counters.
- Consult your pest management professional for additional tips.
- Consider insulating your attic with TAP® Pest Control Insulation which controls German Cockroaches from invading your home.
For more information on TAP® Pest Control Insulation, click here.