How To Avoid Cockroaches When Moving

Are you moving out of a cockroach-infested home and eager to leave the past behind? Well, roaches can travel from house to house so to avoid bringing them into your new home, you’ll need a strategy.

The last thing you need is the insects to sneak into your moving van. Because of their slender, flat bodies, these pests can easily hide in your packed items, making them difficult to spot at first. Therefore, it’s important to pay attention to every detail if you want to avoid cockroaches when moving. Remember, even a small oversight could transform your fresh start into a recurring nightmare!

Before focusing on your new place, take the time to thoroughly inspect your current home. Find out where cockroaches live and pay special attention to these items when moving.

Where Do Cockroaches Hide?

You probably have suspicions that cockroaches hide in ceilings, bathrooms and pipes, but aren’t too worried because you don’t plan on taking any of those with you. What about the stuff you are bringing with you? Now, a fair warning to those with weak stomachs, you may wish you’d never heard the answer.

• Furniture. Not only do roaches hide in furniture, but they will also even lay their eggs in it. This makes it a high risk to consider when thinking how to avoid cockroaches when moving. Apart from couches and fabrics, they lay their egg cases (yellow and whitish in colour) on tables, table legs and chairs made of plastic and wood as well.
• Ovens and Microwaves. We are sorry to report that cockroaches can get into ovens and microwaves. What’s more, these are some of their favourite hiding spots because they offer warmth, water and isolation.
• Appliances. Kitchen appliances attract cockroaches more than you’d ever like to know. Roaches hide in toasters, coffee makers, blenders and firdges. This doesn’t necessarily mean they will use these appliances as life-saver boats when you’re moving, but it’s still important to keep a good eye on these.
• Electronics. Cockroaches hide in computers, telephones and even clocks. Do you know how we mentioned that roaches like privacy? Well, sometimes warmth is enough.
• Cardboard and Paper. Now, this is a big one. Cardboard boxes and stacks of paper are the perfect places for cockroaches to hide in. They love everything about it – the texture, the smell, even the taste. You need to be very careful when moving piles of magazines, newspapers or documents in order to avoid cockroaches.

The list goes on to include brooms, mops, picture and mirror frames, and bookcases.

Do cockroaches hide in clothes?

“Cockroaches hide in clothes and fabric materials, particularly if these items are dirty or have been left untouched for a long time. Although they do not live primarily in clothes, roaches can use them as hiding places and may even lay eggs within the creases or seams of the fabric.

Cockroaches are attracted to clothing mainly because of the shelter, warmth, and possible food sources it provides like sweat, body oils, and food remnants and stained or dirty clothes are particularly enticing to these pests.

Additionally, cockroaches can lay eggs on clothing, especially if the items are left undisturbed in cockroach-infested areas. Cockroach eggs are generally deposited in hidden, dark locations, making clothes that are lying on the floor or piled up potential sites for egg-laying.”

How to Avoid Cockroaches When Moving

To avoid bringing cockroaches when moving, not only should you not grant them access to enter, but also not give them a reason to. You may hope that it will limit the existing infestation, but instead, it will only cause the surviving cockroaches to scatter to new places.

If you bring cockroaches to a new property, that will make you responsible for the pest control when renting. Quite possibly places you didn’t even have them before!

• Inspect your belongings for cockroaches. The items on the “where do cockroaches hide” list should be your highest priority. Take them outside of the apartment or house, inspect them and shake them, including electronics, shoes, bookcases, etc.
• Launder all that is cloth. All your clothes, sheets, pillowcases, and rugs better go through the wash before putting them in the suitcase.
• Wash everything else. All cooking utensils, pots, pans, and anything that may serve as a temporary shelter for any tiny living creature.
• Treat dressers and cabinets with an insecticide. You may want to avoid chemical treatment or think it’s senseless to pay an exterminator to treat the place you won’t even live in. However, if you skip this step, you are taking a huge risk.

The tops, bottoms and insides of drawers and dressers are among the most common places for cockroaches to hide and lay eggs in.

• Vacuum everything as you pack it.
• Pack everything into plastic containers, not cardboard boxes.

Rule number one to avoid cockroaches when moving is not to pack in used boxes. That includes ones that you already had in your house and those taken from grocery shops. Do yourself a favour and don’t use cardboard boxes – as we mentioned earlier, they are cockroach heaven and actually attract pests.

When moving out of a cockroach-infested property, plastic is your best friend. Pack every kitchen appliance in its own clear plastic bag and put all your belongings in sealed plastic bins with lids. Your computer and all electronics need to go in plastic bags as well. The idea is to seal the infestation as much as possible and not let it spread through to your other items.

• Heat the infested appliances. Just leave them in the sun for a day, wrapped in black plastic bags. Cockroaches die at 50°C (125°F) so for extra security, you could use the sun to your advantage. Leave small appliances in black plastic bags in the hot sun for a day or two if you have doubts about them.
• Leave your belongings in a cold storage unit, garage or van if the temperatures are below -17°C (0°F).

“Appliances or furniture can be left in a garage when temperatures are below 0°F for several days. If moving, leaving possessions in a truck or van will do the same thing.”

• Unpack outside
• Place glue boards around the property to detect any cockroaches
• Avoid bombing for the same reason as before: It will only cause the cockroaches to scatter and hide.

And that’s how to avoid cockroaches when moving! Finally, when the stress of moving has passed, relax and enjoy your clean new home!

How do I make sure my roaches don’t come?

A cockroach infestation can occur rapidly and unexpectedly, as these pests constantly search for food, water, and shelter. Fortunately, there are several effective methods to make sure roaches won’t come.

1. Remove food sources

To eliminate food sources for cockroaches you will need to take the following steps:

• Clean up food debris – Promptly remove all food particles, grease, and spills from the floor, kitchen counters, and dining tables. Cockroaches need only minimal amounts of food, which makes any crumbs or liquids highly attractive to them.
• Store food properly – Cockroaches are drawn to strong food scents, so keeping food in tightly sealed containers can significantly decrease the attraction of these pests.
• Avoid leaving food exposed on countertops – Leaving food uncovered is unwise, as it becomes an irresistible lure for cockroaches and other pests. Additionally, they can contaminate food with bacteria from their bodies, posing health risks.

2. Seal entry points

By eliminating entry points, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of cockroach infestations. It is essential to examine utility pipes, baseboards and crawl spaces for any gaps, and seal any cracks or holes you find.

If you live in multi-unit buildings, it is advisable to seal the spaces between units, particularly around pipe and wall junctions, to deter roaches. Ensure also that windows and doors are properly secured, and consider using weather stripping to avoid potential openings.

3. Keep your home clean

To prevent roaches, it is essential to follow good housekeeping practices. This includes keeping the kitchen clean, eliminating potential food sources, and vacuuming to remove egg sacs and debris. Additionally, it is essential to regularly clean surfaces that may be contaminated by these pests to prevent roach infestations.

4. Reduce moisture in your home

Cockroaches are attracted to moisture, often found in leaking sink pipes or standing water in sinks or on floors. This explains why they are frequently encountered in kitchens and bathrooms rather than in other areas of the home.

To prevent cockroaches from infesting your property, it is essential to address any potential leaks. Ensure that standing water in sinks is drained and avoid overwatering indoor plants, as these conditions can create a favourable environment for pests to thrive.

Conclusion

And that’s how to avoid cockroaches when moving! By packing wisely, cleaning thoroughly, and inspecting items before bringing them into your new space, you can prevent cockroaches from hitching a ride during your move.

Taking proactive steps will reduce the risk of dealing with these pests and save you from unwanted stress later. However, if you notice any signs of a roach infestation, it’s always best to act fast and contact a professional pest exterminator for peace of mind so you can relax and enjoy your new home!

Image source: ANURAK PONGPATIMET/shutterstock.com

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