Roach Prevention and Control

Tips For Safer Roach Control

Nobody likes roaches, but roaches are a common problem. How can you prevent a roach problem? If you do have roaches, how can you get rid of them? This publication contains information on these and other questions on how to prevent and control cockroaches more safely.

How to Prevent and Control a Roach Problem

*Don't invite roaches into your home:

*Caulk, weatherstrip, and repair holes around water pipes, baseboards, doors and windows. This is important in apartments, where roaches can move from unit to unit along pipes.

*Put screens over windows, vents, floor drains and ducts. They can be roach highways and hideaways.

*Remove old boxes and papers. The fewer places roaches can hide, the better.

*Keep areas outside your home free of trash, wood piles and leaves. Use sticky (glue) traps to find areas where roaches may be hiding.

Don't feed roaches:

*Store food in sealed containers. Never leave food, crumbs or trash uncovered anywhere in your home. Do not leave uneaten pet food out overnight. If you must leave dirty dishes out overnight, put them in the sink and cover them with soapy water.

*Use a trash can with a tight lid. Avoid placing your trash can under the sink. Empty the trash can often. Put garbage in closed plastic bags. Rinse beverage and food containers before you recycle or throw them away.

Don't give roaches water:

*Fix leaky faucets and drains.

Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health, 525 W. Jefferson St., Springfield, IL 62761, 217-782-5830