Even the cleanest households can sometimes have cockroaches. Here are some easy ways to make your home a less attractive target for Cockroaches.

Seeing a cockroach from time to time is not an immediate cause for concern. But, if you have no intentions of sharing living space with these little critters then there are a multitude of ways to eradicate them from existence, some expensive and convoluted, and some simple, effective and not so hard on the pocket.

Since cockroaches can come from pretty much anywhere, be it off the street, from neighbouring properties, or even through connected utility lines, even the cleanest, well-kept homes can fall victim to an invasion of Cockroaches. You may have even unwittingly introduced them to your home yourself, not necessarily on your person, but they could have stowed away during the day on or in a bag containing food.

Cockroaches do best wherever they can gain access to foods or water and have readily available hidy holes to protect themselves in. If you wish to expunge these pesky creatures then lets look at some great ways to roach proof you home. Take heed that these insects are generally nocturnal, and like hiding in dark cracks and crevices during the day.

• Before reaching for the can of Doom to deliver them from life, take these simple domestic steps against home invaders first:
• Wipe down all surfaces where food is prepared or eaten, and do so immediately after every meal, snack and food spill.
• Wash your dishes immediately after use. Don’t let them stand overnight, or you will be opening and all you can dear buffet for the critters.
• Make certain that your pet's dishes are cleaned daily. To avoid creating an inviting meal for the roaches, empty pet water bowls at night and refill in the morning, unless your pets live outdoors.
• Ensure that your stove top, oven and oven hood are always clean. Any oil, even residual, will attract unwanted attention from cockroaches.
• Don’t store non-refrigerated food openly. Ensure that it is always in a properly sealed container.
• Ensure that your food storage areas are always kept clean.
• Garbage bags must always be tied shut and kept in closed bins, a good distance from the house.
• Dispose of your garbage as often as possible. And long-standing garbage is an irresistible temptation to cockroaches.
• Vacuum and sweep your home regularly, to ensure that no food is left anywhere, even a few stray bread crumbs on the floor, in between the seat cushions or cracks between furniture or appliances.
• Regularly clean hard-to-reach areas e.g. behind and under fridges and stoves.
• Check for leaks in taps and plumbing e.g. underneath sinks and basins, and get these repaired.
• Get rid of clutter. Keep kitchen cupboards as tidy as possible.
• Seal up cracks and crevices in e.g. walls and cupboards and around water pipes and electrical lines.

If you have done all of the above and the problem still persists, you should call for XPest Control's assistance - The "service masters" tried and trusted for the safe and effective control of cockroaches.

Traps
Traps containing glue or bait are efficient and safe to use in family homes, as they do not spread toxic chemicals around the home. Glue traps can, however, cause painful injuries and even death to small mammals. Before purchasing the traps, check with the supplier as to whether or not the traps are designed specifically to catch insects only. Pastes and powders should be used only in hard to reach places where small children and pets won’t ingest them. They can be applied to cracks and likely places like under the stove. When applying any powders, you must ensure that you do not inhale any of the powders, by wearing a protective face mask.

Pesticide Sprays

• When using pesticide sprays, there are a few things to keep in mind.
• Pesticide sprays are harmful to the environment
• Pesticide sprays can be harmful to pets and children if not used properly
• Pesticide sprays are a short-term solution, and will not necessarily prevent the problem from returning in the future.
• Pesticide sprays should be your last resort.