Having cockroaches on your bed while trying to sleep after a long day can be very annoying, knowing how to keep cockroaches away at night will go a long way to save your sleep and prevent you from diseases associated with cockroaches.
In this article, you will learn how to get keep cockroaches away at night while you’re away which in turn aids sound sleep. Before we proceed, let’s see the reasons why cockroaches infest your home and come out at night.
Why Does Cockroach Come Out At Night?
The majority of the cockroaches that invade our homes and property are active primarily at night.
At night, these pests come out of hiding and feed on almost any kind of organic material they can get their hands on.
They consume food meant for humans and animals alike, as well as filthy clothing, leather, and the glue used in book binding.
Cockroaches have adapted over time to search for food and water in dimly lit places because this allows them to avoid being preyed upon by other animals.
These unwanted guests spend the day hiding in the tiniest fissures and crannies of our homes, and they usually avoid being discovered until there is an infestation on the premises.
If that is the case, you will have a greater chance of spotting a cockroach during daylight hours.
Although the majority of people believe that cockroaches avoid light because they are terrified of it, this is not the case.
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What Attracts Cockroaches Indoors?
There are different species of cockroaches, however, they all have different things that can attract them indoors. We going to discuss these cockroach species and what attracts them below.
1. German Cockroach
The German cockroaches are petite and well-known for their prowess at sneaking into people’s houses via hitchhiking.
They’ll sneak into your packages, shipments, and crates, and you won’t even be aware they’ve done it.
Food scraps are a major draw for German cockroaches. The most effective way to deal with scavengers is to remove their food source completely.
Make a thorough inspection of your pantry and storage areas to ensure that nothing is left out in the open, and make sure that everything is completely dry.
It’s also common for these cockroaches to look for locations to hide and raise their young in tiny cracks that are only a few millimeters broader than their bodies.
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2. American Cockroach
The American cockroaches are big, brown, and reddish in color. They can fly short distances thanks to their sturdy wings.
Cockroaches in the United States are drawn to decaying, organic materials (e.g., garbage) and water.
It is possible that a plumbing problem is the cause of an abundance of American cockroaches in your home.
Because American cockroaches require high temperatures and high humidity levels to grow, they are unlikely to set up shop in your home.
As a general rule, most of us do not keep our homes as humid as we would prefer. Instead, you’ll typically find them in the same location as your boiler.
Boiler rooms are a favorite breeding ground for American cockroaches. All of your heating and cooling systems radiate from the boiler, including your radiators, water pipes, showers, and sinks.
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How to Keep Cockroaches Away At Night
Do you know how to keep cockroaches away at night? This doesn’t mean that if you see one cockroach in your house, you have an infestation.
You should still conduct an investigation and take precautionary measures to avoid one. Cockroaches can invade your home in a number of ways, you can keep cockroaches away at night in the following ways:
1. Doing an Exhaustive Cleanup
Cockroaches and their food sources can be eliminated by vacuuming your home on a regular basis.
It doesn’t matter if the cuisine isn’t customary; cockroaches will eat it. Among the possibilities is dermal slough, in the hair follicle, poop left behind by a pet, inhaling nicotine through the mouth, and cardboard.
Cockroaches will thrive if you just vacuum once or twice a month, even though your bedroom appears clean.
They may sift through your carpets, rugs, and hardwood floors to discover morsels of food that will keep them alive.
2. Inspect For Eggs
Ootheca will be able to hide in your wardrobe, closet, blankets, and apparel (egg cases). It’s a solid sign of an active cockroach population when cockroaches choose your bedroom as a breeding ground.
One generation will hatch, grow, and infest your residence once the primary colony is eradicated. Checking for unhatched eggs is therefore critical.
Remove and destroy the eggshells as you find them. When it comes to clothing, this may include using the highest heat setting on your washer and dryer.
3. Look for Places Where Cockroaches Could Hide Out
Cockroaches like to hide out in places that aren’t ideal for them, so flush them out and then make their hiding places less appealing. These locations should also be sealed if feasible so that they cannot be used again in the future
Improve the cleanliness of your house and surroundings. Clean the floors and counters, and address any water leaks that may be present.
4. Get Rid of Food Source
Breakfast in bed and late-night movie popcorn are two examples of small joys in life. Cockroaches, sadly, share this sentiment.
Keep food out of your bedroom. If you’re using pest control measures, keep food in the dining room only.
When dining in your bedroom, follow these guidelines:
- Dispose of all jars
- Immediately clean up any messes that may have occurred.
- Sweep the floor to look for crumbs
- Before you go to bed, wash your face with soap and water to deter cockroaches from looking for a food source on you.
5. Ensure That no Cockroach Can Get In or Out
The roaches can come into your home through any holes around sinks and plumbing, so plug them up with sealants or caulk to keep them out.
6. Cut Off the Water Supply
Moisture attracts cockroaches, and they’ll swarm in and around it.
Cockroaches are drawn to evaporative coolers, juice glasses, and tabletop fountains in the bedroom. As a result, you should never store water in your bedroom.
Close the door to your bathroom and secure the doorway with a sealant strip.
7. Acidic Boric Acid
In the absence of dogs or small children, boric acid can be sparingly sprinkled over your bed frame. Cockroaches will be forced to walk through the white powder if they try to climb up the legs.
Cockroaches can be killed within three days of exposure to Boric acid, which is not instantly lethal. Boric acid is carried back by cockroaches to their colony, killing off other individuals.
8. Infrared Radiation
Ultraviolet radiation is a deterrent for American cockroaches.
It not only frightens away the adults but also slows down the egg-laying process. As a result, acquire a UV light and put it next to your bed for better sleep.
9. Lemongrass, Pandan Leaves, and Garlic
Cockroaches in the United States can be killed by using lemongrass. Among the others are garlic and the leaves of the pandan tree.
Aside from being offensive in terms of taste and smell, the chemical structure is also a turnoff.
terpenes and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons are found in the leaves of pandan. Cockroaches are scared away by the strong smell that they emit.
Crush the herbs and scatter them about your bedroom. Every 1-2 days, give them a new batch.
10. Oils with a High Concentration of Essential Oils
Antennae are used by cockroaches to detect smells and traverse their environment.
You can keep cockroaches away from your bed by employing fragrances they don’t like.
Essential oils that are popular include:
- Citrus
- Lavender
- Cypress
- Peppermint
- Rosemary
- Oregano
- Eucalyptus
Diffuse them near your bed in a diffuser. Cockroaches will be less inclined to target the location if the stink is dispersed into the air. Alternatively, you can mix the oils with water and use them as a room misting spray.
Can Cockroaches Be Prevented by Leaving Lights On?
At night, cockroaches seek the darkness and avoid light. It’s not because they’re afraid of the light.
They know that they can’t hide in plain sight from predators, and this is why. You won’t scare them away by leaving a night light or lamp on all night long.
Instead, they’ll wait for activity and predators to return as the sun rises. Cockroaches will begin probing if you don’t wake them up because you’re sleeping.
Cockroaches won’t bother you while you’re sleeping if you take the proper precautions. You can keep cockroaches out of your bedroom by utilizing effective pesticides, traps, and deterrents.
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