Sign-in to Account
Call Us

(855) 948-5816

aptive-registered-logo-white

Find Service Area

How to Prevent Cockroach Infestation After Traveling

Written by Aptive Environmental November 21, 2024

Cockroach infestations are one of the last things you want to return home to after a vacation. But without regular activity, cleaning, or the usual disturbances of daily life, getting rid of cockroaches becomes an additional challenge. Cockroaches can easily take advantage of leftover food crumbs, moisture, and undisturbed hiding spots.

In this article, we’ll explore why cockroaches may invade your home while you’re away and how to practice effective prevention in times of travel to ensure you don’t return to a cockroach-infested house.

4 Ways Roaches Can Become a Problem When You’re Away

Cockroaches are opportunistic pests that thrive in conditions where food, water, and shelter are easily accessible. When you leave your home for an extended period, you create the opportunity for cockroaches to invade, with several factors increasing the likelihood of a cockroach problem:

1. No Activity or Disturbances

Cockroaches are nocturnal and prefer dark, quiet environments where they won’t be disturbed. When a home is empty, it offers the perfect setting for cockroaches to move about openly. Without the usual human activity of cleaning, turning on lights, and moving around, these pests are free to explore your home and find hiding places unhindered, which can lead to a roach infested home.

2. Food Crumbs Left Behind

Even a clean home can attract cockroaches. Tiny, unnoticed crumbs can quickly become a food source when you’re away. Even the cleanest homes can leave behind tiny food crumbs that are barely noticeable. When you’re away, cockroaches will quickly find and take advantage of any leftovers, whether it’s crumbs under the couch, grease in the kitchen, or open food in cabinets.

3. Excess Moisture

Cockroaches are drawn and attracted to moisture. If you have leaky faucets, damp areas, or standing water in sinks or bathrooms, your home can become even more attractive to these pests while you’re gone.

4. Unnoticed Entry Points

Small cracks around doors, windows, or pipes may go unnoticed during your day-to-day routine. When you’re away, these gaps provide easy entry points for cockroaches to move in without detection. An unattended home gives cockroaches the opportunity to slip in and establish a nest.

Things to Do in Your Home Before You Leave

To prevent cockroaches from making themselves at home while you’re away, it’s important to take preventive measures before you leave to avoid your home becoming a cockroach-infested house. Here’s how you can prepare your home and how to prevent cockroach infestation:

  1. Clean Thoroughly: Before traveling, ensure your home is clean from food and clutter. Sweep and vacuum floors, wipe down surfaces, and empty all trash bins.
  2. Fix Leaks and Remove Moisture: Since water attracts cockroaches, eliminate moisture sources in your plumbing system and consider using moisture absorbers in damp areas to reduce the chances of a cockroach-infested house.
  3. Seal Entry Points: Inspect your home for gaps or cracks and seal them to prevent cockroaches from entering.
  4. Consider calling the Pros: Reach out and have the pros lock down your home from pests before you leave. Taking this proactive step can help ensure roaches or other pests don’t move in while you are away from your residence.

3 Things to Do Once You Return Home

Once you return from your trip, the steps you take immediately can help prevent a cockroach problem from developing further. Here’s how to approach pest control after travel:

  1. Inspect for Signs of Cockroaches: When you come home, take a moment to inspect your house for any signs of cockroach activity. Check for droppings, egg casings, or live cockroaches in common hiding spots. Act quickly if you notice any signs.
  2. Clean and Disinfect: Even if your home appears clean, it’s a good idea to do a quick sweep and wipe down of key areas, especially in the kitchen. Wipe down countertops, sweep floors, and check for food crumbs that may have gone unnoticed.
  3. Wash Luggage and Clothes: Unpack your luggage outside and inspect it for pests, then wash all clothes in hot water to remove any hidden cockroaches or other cockroaches.

Travel Without Worrying about Cockroach Infestation

Cockroach infestations can easily develop while you’re away, especially if your home provides easy access to the things they need – food, water, shelter, and the opportunity to settle in.

If you find yourself dealing with a cockroach problem after traveling, don’t hesitate to reach out for professional Cockroach control or help with other pests, Aptive is here to help. You can get a free quote tailored to your specific needs, and get peace of mind knowing that our pest control services are here to help you.

Curated articles for you, from our pest experts.

A Cozy Living Room Decorated For Christmas, Featuring A Stone Fireplace Adorned With Stockings And A Brightly Lit Christmas Tree Surrounded By Neatly Wrapped Presents.

How to Keep Pests Out of Your Holiday Decorations

The holiday season is a time of joy, warmth, and festive décor. But as you deck the halls, unwelcome pests can find your decorations just as inviting. Whether your ornaments are on display or tucked away in storage, these tips will help you enjoy your holidays...

Nov 25, 2024
A Snow-Covered Suburban Landscape Featuring A Two-Story White House With A Red Front Door And A Wreath. Snow-Laden Evergreen Trees Frame The Scene, Creating A Picturesque Winter Setting.

How to Protect Your Home With These Winter Pest Control Tips

As temperatures drop, your home becomes a prime target for cold-weather pests looking for warmth. Common intruders like rodents, spiders, and cockroaches seek shelter inside houses during winter. Effective winter pest control is essential to keep these pests out...

Nov 22, 2024
Modern Basement Interior With Light Beige Walls, Dark Wood Flooring, And A Cozy Seating Area Featuring A White Armchair And A Patterned Rug Next To A Stylish Staircase With Wooden Railings.

5 Common Insects in the Basement and How to Handle Them

If you feel like your basement is being overrun by bugs or insects, you're not alone. Common insects such as spiders, centipedes, and beetles are frequently found in these spaces. The insects found here are attracted to dark, humid environments and away from the...

Nov 22, 2024
Four Outdoor Garbage Bins In Blue, Brown, Gray, And Green Placed Side By Side, Marked With The Number 23. The Bins Are Against A Red Wooden Fence With Gardening Tools Resting Inside One Of The Bins.

What Attracts Pests to Your Garbage and How to Keep Them Away

If you’ve ever struggled with cockroaches, flies, or rats, you know how frustrating it can feel when they seem to have a secret invitation to your garbage. These pests are often drawn to food residue, moisture, and even strong odors emanating from your trash....

Nov 22, 2024
A Modern, Two-Story House With A Gray And White Exterior, Illuminated By Warm Interior Lights At Dusk, Showcasing A Clean Driveway And A Small Front Yard.

Household Pests That Thrive During Rainy Seasons

When the weather turns wet, it’s not just humans who seek shelter—many pests take advantage of the moisture and humidity. Rainy season pests can cause serious problems for homeowners, from mosquitoes breeding in standing water to ants invading kitchens in search of...

Nov 20, 2024
Brown Rat Perched On A Stone Ledge, Surrounded By Green Foliage, With A Focused Expression And Vibrant Background.

3 Reasons Why it’s Important to Act Fast to Get Rid of Pests

You've spotted pests in your home—maybe a trail of ants, a mouse in the garage, or a few cockroaches in the kitchen. Your first reaction might be to ignore it, hoping the problem will go away on its own. But that's a mistake. In this article, we'll explore three...

Nov 19, 2024
Modern Basement Interior With Light Beige Walls, Dark Wood Flooring, And A Cozy Seating Area Featuring A White Armchair And A Patterned Rug Next To A Stylish Staircase With Wooden Railings.

How to Keep Pests Out of Your Home

There’s nothing quite like the peace of a well-maintained home. But that peace can be disrupted when pests find their way indoors. Whether it’s ants marching through the kitchen, spiders taking up residence in your home, or mice scurrying in the attic, pests are...

Nov 18, 2024
A Warm Evening View Of A Modern Home, Looking Through Large Windows Into A Kitchen Where A Family Of Four Is Gathered Around A Kitchen Island. Outside, The Patio Area Is Surrounded By Lush Greenery And Outdoor Furniture.

Top 10 Move-In Checklist Items for New Homeowners

Moving into a new home is an exciting milestone, marking the start of a fresh chapter in life. However, once the thrill of unpacking subsides, the reality of settling in and organizing your new space kicks in. To ensure a smooth transition and establish a...

Nov 15, 2024

Take back your home with pest control today.