Despite having “German” in their name, cockroaches are tropical insects. They love heat and humidity.
It’s why the invasive pests thrive inside where temperatures are steady. They’d never survive a Canadian winter outdoors.
If it seems like roaches are worse in the summer, you’re right. Warm, humid weather sends roaches into overdrive. They breed faster, which causes the population to grow exponentially in a short amount of time.
One female cockroach and her offspring can theoretically produce hundreds of thousands of cockroaches in just one year!
If you’re worried about roaches, take steps now to protect your property from the summer assault.
What landlords, renters and condo owners can do to prepare
It’s best to get ahead of summer roach problems. The experts at PestHQ, Ontario’s leading supplier of DIY pest control products, advise the following:
Make your property less attractive to roaches. Fix under-sink water leaks. Eliminate food sources: Take out the garbage, wipe down counter tops, wash dishes in the sink, run the dishwasher, clean up spills and stove-top splatters. Seal gaps in walls around pipes and utility lines.
Take preventive measures. Apply Diatomaceous Earth (DE) or exterminator dust to gaps, cracks and wall voids using a handheld bulb duster. Get tips for using this natural desiccant and how it works.
Monitor to be aware. Set glue traps under sinks in kitchens and bathrooms and behind the stove and refrigerator. Traps tell you if roaches are present. They also kill trapped roaches.
Check traps often. This alerts you to changes in the population. If no roaches are in the trap, continue to monitor. If roaches suddenly appear in traps, it’s time to ramp up your control efforts before the population grows out of control. Get tips for using traps and monitors.
Use proven control products. Remove existing roaches with a HEPA vacuum. Or apply cockroach killer spray or aerosol with permethrin for a fast knock down. Use sparingly per the label as overuse can make roaches resistant to the insecticide. Explore the best methods to get rid of cockroaches.
Order professional-grade roach control products online from Pest HQ. Orders ship fast or can be picked up at 7 Meridian Rd, Etobicoke, Monday - Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. Learn about our cost-saving bundle.
Question? Contact the roach experts at Pest HQ.
Read more:
My neighbour has roaches. Will my unit get them too?
5 things that make roaches extra hard to kill… and how to outsmart them
Learn about roaches so you’re better prepared to get rid of them
