How To Prevent Cockroach Infestations During The Holiday Season

There is so much to look forward to once the holiday season begins! Time with family, holiday parties, and cozy decorations are just a few of the highlights. And then there’s the food! From a Thanksgiving meal with all the fixings to Hanukkah latkes and Christmas cookies, the holiday season provides us with all the excuses we need to spend our days or evenings concocting our favorite goodies in the kitchen.

Unfortunately, though, the more time we spend cooking or baking, the more likely cockroaches are to end up in our Jacksonville homes. If you want to avoid an infestation and all the problems cockroaches cause, this cockroach prevention guide will come in handy this holiday season.

What cockroaches live in Jacksonville?

Several cockroach species are common in Greater Jacksonville and really throughout the First Coast. These include American cockroaches, Asian cockroaches, Australian cockroaches, German cockroaches, and Surinam cockroaches. Although all these species can get into homes, some are more likely than others to do so. The ones you have to worry the least about are Surinam cockroaches, which prefer to live in soil outdoors. American, Asian, Australian, and German roaches can and do enter homes regularly.

American and Australian cockroaches look like each other, while German and Asian cockroaches are often mistaken for one another. Regardless of which species gets into your house, you have reason to be worried if you discover a cockroach infestation in your home.

Why should I be concerned about a cockroach infestation?

Cockroaches are dangerous pests because they spread a lot of diseases. They spend a lot of time in unsanitary places, which provides them with plenty of opportunities to pick up harmful pathogens on their bodies and legs. When they enter your home, they can transfer these pathogens onto your countertops, food, food prep surfaces, or even your toothbrush.

Over 30 types of bacteria, including E.coli, salmonella, and staphylococcus, have been found on cockroaches. They can also spread parasitic worms and a variety of viral infections. Furthermore, cockroaches are known to cause allergies and asthma symptoms in some people. These are pests that you do not want to come around your family.

Why should I be concerned about cockroaches during the holidays?

A cockroach infestation can begin in your home at any time of year. Various species are most active at different times throughout the year, but Jacksonville always has active cockroaches. That said, the holidays can increase cockroach activity because we tend to spend more time cooking and baking.

Cockroaches often get into homes in search of food. When you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, it’s more likely that ingredients and prepared foods will be out in the open. There will also likely be dirty dishes in the sink, crumbs or other spills on the floor, counters and cabinets, and overflowing trash cans. Cockroaches are far more likely to infest a home with a steady food supply, which makes your home especially susceptible to an infestation during the holidays.

How to keep cockroaches out of your Jacksonville home this holiday season

Avoiding a cockroach infestation starts with good cleaning habits and continues with a few simple preventative measures. Try these recommendations to stop a cockroach infestation in your Jacksonville home before it has a chance to start.

• After cooking, baking, and eating, store all ingredients in sealed containers that are free of holes or openings.
• Wash all dirty dishes or immediately place them in the dishwasher.
• Wipe down your countertops and clean up any spills or messes.
• Sweep or vacuum the floor.
• Clean out your sink so it’s free of food particles and debris.
• Store the food you made that you don’t eat right away in airtight containers.
• Make sure your cupboard and pantry shelves are clean and free of food spills.
• Take out your trash regularly.
• Routinely check for water leaks and reduce humidity in rooms with a lot of moisture, such as bathrooms and laundry rooms.
• Reduce moisture around the outside of your house.
• Seal all cracks, holes, gaps, and other potential entry points into your house.

What to do if you’ve noticed cockroach activity in your home

If you’ve seen signs of a cockroach infestation, get in touch with Lindsey Pest Services right away. A roach infestation will not resolve itself but will continue growing larger until it’s taken care of. Our residential pest control plans offer the protection you need to rid your home of cockroaches and stop them from returning.