Seeing a cockroach in your kitchen can be unsettling. These pests come out of nowhere, leaving you wondering where they c0ame from and why they chose your home. This happens more often for those who live in Nampa as the weather heats up. That is why residents should take pest control seriously and check out saelapest.com for professional assistance as needed. 

Warmer weather brings out the worst in these cockroaches. There are reasons why they become more visible and more annoying during the summer months.  It helps to understand what happens when roaches start showing up more often. Read on to know why cockroaches are more active in the summertime and what you can do to deal with them:

Cockroach Activity Increases as the Weather Rises

Cockroaches love warmth. In fact, they thrive in it. As temperatures rise, so does their metabolism. This means they move faster, breed quicker, and go looking for food and water more often.

Cockroaches slow down in colder months. Some species will hide in warm areas indoors and stay put. However, they are on the move during summer and your home might be the perfect place to explore.

Cockroaches Breed More When It is Warm. 

A single female can produce hundreds of offspring in just a few months. The eggs hatch faster when it is hot, and the young cockroaches grow into adults more quickly. So, the cockroach population in and around your home can grow a lot faster during the summer than it does in the winter. This is why infestations often pop up out of nowhere during the summer months. You might not notice one or two roaches, but you will notice a dozen or more very soon if they are reproducing quickly. 

Food is More Available in Summer

Summer can mean crumbs from backyard BBQs, open windows letting in scents from the kitchen, and pet food left out overnight. These are flashing neon signs to cockroaches. These pests have a strong sense of smell and will travel a long way to find a meal.

Also, you can attract roaches through outdoor trash cans, compost piles, and overripe fruit sitting on the counter. They will keep coming back and might move in permanently once they find a reliable food source.

Humidity Makes Things Worse

Nampa summers can get dry, but cockroaches still seek out moisture wherever they can find it. Leaky pipes, wet sponges, or pet water bowls are prime cockroach hangouts. These insects need water just as much as they need food.

Cockroaches often head indoors where it is cooler and there is more moisture since summer heat can dry things out quickly outside. This is the reason why you might see them in bathrooms, under sinks, or in your laundry room.

Cracks and Gaps Invite Them In

Cockroaches do not need a big opening to get inside. They can enter your home through tiny cracks in your foundation, gaps around windows and doors, and spaces around plumbing. In summer, these openings become highways for pests looking to escape the heat or find food. They will make themselves comfortable if they find a way into your home. 

What You Can Do

A few habits can go a long way if you live in Nampa and want to keep cockroaches out this summer. These include:

  • Sealing the gaps. Walk around your home and look for tiny openings around windows, doors, and pipes. Use caulk or weather stripping to seal them.
  • Cleaning up regularly. Wipe down counters and never leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight. Also, make sure to sweep up crumbs, especially in the kitchen. Garbage should not be allowed to sit inside for too long.
  • Fixing leaks quickly. Check under sinks, around the fridge, and in the bathroom for water leaks. Fix these leaks as soon as possible.

Call in Help if Needed

Sometimes, cockroaches still find their way in despite your best efforts. It might be time to call a local pest control professional if the problem is getting worse. Summer infestations can get out of hand quickly and dealing with the issue as soon as possible can save you a lot of stress.