Cockroach outbreak: How to control pests in your home
South Africa is facing a cockroach outbreak. Here is how you can deal with the insects.
There is an outbreak of cockroaches in South Africa.
According to CropLife SA's report in March, the wet and humid summer has brought about a near-pandemic outbreak of cockroaches in South Africa. It also reported that the unhygienic conditions that prevail in South Africa have contributed to the problem.
Having cockroaches in the house is a health hazard. Cockroaches like to hide in electrical appliances such as fridges and washing machines, cupboards under kitchen and bathroom basins, drainpipe cavities in walls, food cupboards, outdoor drains, and dark enclosed areas such as garages, reports Crop Life.
READ: Not a fan of your ex? Name a cockroach after them!
Cockroaches carry bacteria that, if deposited on food, can cause salmonella, staphylococcus, and streptococcus, reports Healthline.This is why it is important to take precautions to ensure that cockroaches don't make your home their dwelling.
The best way to limit having cockroaches in your home is to thoroughly clean your home and ensure that it remains clean. Don't make the mistake of leaving left over foods around as that will attract the cockroaches.
"Cockroach control starts with a serious effort to sanitise human habitation of refuse and left-over foodstuffs. A dirty kitchen that is littered with left-over food and freely available pet food needs serious intervention to deny these unsavoury critters from invading a home and setting up a colony," states Crop Life.
Other tips from Healthline include:
- Seal entry points such as cracks in floors and walls.
- Fix leaky pipes.
- Keep typically damp areas dry.
- Use cockroach traps and bait.
- Tightly cover all trash containers.
- Store food in airtight containers (including food in cabinets).
- Clean dirty dishes immediately after use.
- Clean pet food bowl (don’t leave pet food out).
- Sweep up food crumbs from tables, counters, stovetop, and floors.
- Wipe up spills immediately.
- Vacuum and mop floors regularly.
- Clean (at least annually) around and under furniture that is rarely moved.
- Clear out clutter from storage closets, shelves, and drawers.
Other tips from Crop Life include ensuring that refuse bags are secured in plastic wheelie bins or drums, out of access of cockroaches.
READ: The end is near: Cockroaches are becoming harder to kill with insecticides
A TikTok user has shared a solution to help you control cockroaches in your house.
Ingredients:
1/2 tbsp boric acid
2 tbsp dish wash liquid
1/2 cup water
Watch how the solution is made below:
@usahkrish Hello, this is the spray bottle I used to keep cockroaches away from my kitchen cabinet. This is the most effective way to get rid of cockroaches. Please share your feedback if you try this. Happy trying 😊 To prepare the spray bottle 👇 Any type spray bottle 1 2 tbsp boric acid 2 tbsp dish wash liquid 1/2 cup water #diy #cockroach #cockroachspray #homemadecockroachspray #keepawaycockroach #bestway #kitchenpest #easyway #pestfree #pestfreehome #freenaturalpestcontrol #naturalpestcontrol #kitchenhacks #kitchencabinethack #usahkrish #usahkrish19 #minivlog #fypシ #fyp #motivation #cleaningmotivation #cleaninghacks #happysharing #eliminatingcockroaches #cockroaches #cockofroaches ♬ original sound - MAALINI CURRY HOUSE PUCHONG
@turfbadgernation How to get rid of cockroaches in your house. Roaches are hitchhikers so it's very unlikely there will never be one in your house. The important thing is to keep your house clean so they can never reproduce. #ewww #pestcontrol #disgusting #infestation #bugs ♬ Ghost Town (60s) - Phantom Silk