How to Clean Cockroach Infestation & Prevent It From Returning?

Cockroaches leave behind more than just an unpleasant sight. Even after they are gone, their shedding skin, eggshells, saliva, and droppings can remain in the house. These creatures carry bacteria and allergens that can trigger or worsen asthma in sensitive people. Hence, getting rid of these critters is only the first step. The next task is to clean the home thoroughly to clear the cockroach infestation and ensure your home stays hygienic and fresh.

To clean a cockroach infestation, you must reach the areas where they tend to hide. You don’t need to buy expensive equipment to get started. Simple household items and a little patience can  clean the home effectively. This guide explains how to safely clean up cockroach infestations.

Signs of a Cockroach Infestation

Identifying signs of a cockroach infestation helps eliminate them. Some of the common signs are -

Droppings

Droppings of the cockroach point toward an existing infestation. Depending on the species, the feces may appear different - from tiny specks of pepper to brown stains or coffee grounds.

Egg Cases (Oothecae)

Cockroaches lay several eggs at a time. These are oblong and have brown casings containing multiple eggs. If you see them lying around, it indicates  that cockroaches have infested your home.

Musty Odor

Where there are cockroaches, there is a weird, pungent, and musty smell. The eggs, skin, and droppings of a large number of cockroaches cause a musty smell.

Shed Skins

As cockroaches reach adulthood, they undergo a process called molting. During this process, they shed their exoskeletons, which is another sign of an infestation. The skin is lighter in color and may appear transparent and dry. You can find these skins in areas where roaches usually hide, such as under the furniture and appliances or within the cabinets.

Live or Dead Cockroaches

This is one of the most evident signs of an infestation. They are nocturnal insects and usually come out at night. If there’s a severe infestation, you might find them in troops. Sometimes you might even find dead cockroaches.

Safety Precautions Before Cleaning

Here are some safety precautions one must consider before cleaning up -

• Wear disposable gloves to avoid coming in contact with cockroach droppings, shed skins, egg cases, and contaminated surfaces. Make sure to dispose of the gloves after cleaning and then wash your hands thoroughly.
• Use a face mask if there's heavy contamination. This will reduce any chance of breathing in dust that may also contain allergens from cockroach droppings.
• Open windows or improve ventilation, as fresh air reduces lingering odors and prevents the fumes from cleaning products.
• Gather cleaning supplies beforehand. Keep bleach, disinfectant, paper towels, microfiber towels, a mop, and a bucket within your reach. This reduces the struggle of having to run and fetch items every now and then.

How to Clean a Cockroach Infestation?

It is best to combine several techniques to control and eliminate a cockroach infestation. Since roaches thrive on food, moisture, and shelter, it's important to take effective measures to keep them under control. The primary thing is to clean up spills and food waste as soon as possible and wash the dishes and utensils.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to clean a cockroach infestation -

Step 1: Remove All Visible Cockroaches and Debris

After the exterminator has finished their job, you need to vacuum up all dead insects, droppings, and egg cases, then dispose of the vacuum contents safely. Use a HEPA-certified vacuum to remove debris and make your home cockroach-free. Ensure the vacuum bag is properly disposed of. Seal the bag in a tightly sealed trash bag and dispose of it outside.

Step 2: Disinfect Surfaces

Use appropriate disinfectants and focus mainly on kitchens, bathrooms, cabinets, and countertops. Use hot, soapy water, then wipe surfaces with a disinfectant and a diluted bleach solution.

Step 3: Clean Cabinets, Drawers, and Pantries

Empty the contents, wipe the shelves thoroughly, and discard any contaminated food. Before they were eliminated, cockroaches might have crawled  over the food. So, it is advisable to discard any open or unsealed food packaging. Also, make sure to store any dry food items in an airtight container. This prevents re-infestation.

Step 4: Wash Fabrics and Soft Items

Gather the curtains, couch covers, dish towels, washable rugs, pet bedding, etc., and wash them in the machine using the hottest setting. Again, while drying, use the hot setting to kill any remnants.

Step 5: Clean Hidden Areas

Cockroaches love to hide in warm, dark, and damp spaces. They also reside beneath large appliances, behind the furniture, etc. So, clean these areas and seal any cracks in the window sills, doors, baseboard, walls, or entryways to prevent their coming back into the house.

How to Remove Cockroach Droppings Safely?

To remove all the droppings, ensure to start from the top. Roaches tend to poop on the tops of cabinets, refrigerators, and similar surfaces. Here’s how you can remove roach droppings effectively -

• Avoid sweeping dry droppings; instead, use a vacuum to suck up the droppings from these areas.
• Vacuum the cracks and crevices so that none are left behind.
• Wash the infested area with soap and water, and then use baking soda afterward to get rid of lingering odor.
• Wipe the appliances, countertops, cabinets, etc., with a disinfectant solution.

How to Get Rid of the Cockroach Smell?

Cockroaches’ smell can be mild or strongly unpleasant. Sometimes, smell can linger even after the roaches are eliminated, and it could be from dead insects, egg cases, droppings, etc. Here are some ways to get rid of the pungent smell that cockroaches leave behind -

Eliminate the Source

Dispose of the droppings, dead insects, and any remnants of cockroaches. Seal all the entry points and make sure there’s no way left for them to come back.

Deep Cleaning

Clean each and every corner of your home, wherever you might think roaches have infested. Use EPA-approved disinfectant and allow it to sit for 10 minutes before wiping. Also, scrub the surface with warm water or with a light degreaser to remove any stains from old feces.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is a natural deodorizer. Here’s how you can use it -

• Sprinkle baking soda on the surface that has an overpowering odor, such as the bottom of a drawer.
• Allow it to sit for a few hours to absorb the odor and vacuum it up.
• You can also keep open bowls of baking soda near the infested area.

Activated Charcoal

Place some activated charcoal near the source of the odor to eliminate the smell.

Improving Ventilation

While cleaning up, open the door and windows to vent musty particles. You can also use an air purifier equipped with an activated charcoal filter to eliminate lingering airborne pheromones.

How to Prevent Another Cockroach Infestation?

After your home seems free of infestation after a treatment, you have to ensure that there are no larvae or eggs left in the house. If these go unnoticed, you may have another cockroach infestation -

• Seal Entry Points: Seal any potential entry points, such as around windows and doors, and in cracks and crevices. You can use silicone caulk or cement to seal the cracks.
• Store Food in Airtight Containers: Store grains, cereals, snacks, and pet food in sealed containers, as these pests need only a small amount of crumbs to thrive.
• Fix Leaks: Fixing leaks is another way to keep the roaches out of the house. These critters are attracted to moisture and can survive for weeks on a single drop of water. Fix all the dripping faucets and leaking plumbing underneath sinks, and make sure there’s no water pooling anywhere in the bathroom or kitchen.
• Empty Trash Regularly: Organic waste is one of the major causes why cockroaches are attracted to your house. It’s best to use a bin with a tight lid and do not keep it under the sink. Also, take out the garbage every day.
• Reduce Clutter: Keep your home clean, especially the kitchen. If you often leave dirty dishes, food crumbs, and water accumulating near the sink, cockroaches might infest the area again.
• Schedule Routine Inspections: Schedule pest control regularly, as this is the best way to keep roaches under check and out of your house for good.

When to Call a Professional Pest Control Service?

Even after DIYing and cleaning, certain infestations are so large that the smell and remnants are impossible to get rid of. So, call a professional pest control service if -

• The infestations are widespread.
• The infestations keep coming back, despite proper and thorough cleaning.
• Hard-to-reach or hidden nesting sites, such as inside walls, under floors, around pipes, etc.
• Asthma or other allergies can be triggered even after you have cleaned up.

Conclusion

Cleaning after a cockroach infestation needs more than just wiping down. You have to remove all droppings, disinfect contaminated surfaces, clean hidden spots, and eliminate lingering odors even after the cockroaches are gone. Cleaning is easy and can be done with baking soda, activated charcoal, water, and soap. Above all, you need to be careful when cleaning.