Are you dealing with cockroaches in Utah? Cockroaches are an insect of nightmares and creepy films and for good reason: These pests get their fearful reputation from weird but true facts like their ability to hold their breath and be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes without harm, or the fact that their unique circulatory system means they can lose their head but still survive for a full week before finally dying of thirst.

What happens if the nightmare hits close to home and you find yourself with a house full of those stubborn, hard-to-kill roaches? What do you do if you have cockroaches in Utah and you’re looking to sell your home? Roach problems can become a big problem when you are hoping to sell your house quickly. Read on for tips for dealing with, identifying the bugs as well as selling a house with cockroaches in Utah.

Do Cockroaches Live in Utah?

With over 4,000 species of these creepy critters world round, it’s no surprise that even Utah has its share of cockroaches. The type of cockroaches you’ll come across in the Beehive State are generally between 1/2 an inch to 2 inches in length and have 6 legs. Unfortunately Utah also gets the winged variety and while they can fly, most cockroaches choose to climb vertical surfaces rather than fly. Utah cockroaches tend to be flat and oval and will feel oily to the touch.

What Attracts Cockroaches?

Cockroaches are hardy insects and can make their way into your home through grocery bags or produce or boxes that come from the store. If you live in a twin home and share your walls with a neighbor any pest problem they have can easily make their way to you, making the problem extra difficult to be rid of. Cockroaches can travel through drains, cracks in the walls and your vent system. Once in your home they’ll seek out moist humid areas and places with plenty of hiding opportunities so they can stay out of sight during the daytime. Cockroaches make a feast of dirty dishes in the sink, crumbs on the floor or counters, open garbage, pet food and moisture and open food of any kind.

Why do Roaches Even Exist?

Cockroaches have been around for hundreds of millions of years, which begs the question: why do these seemingly undesirable insects exist? Despite their bad reputation, cockroaches do have an ecological role, and like many other creatures, they play a part in the complex web of life on our planet.

1. Decomposers: Cockroaches are opportunistic feeders, known for consuming a wide range of organic materials. In nature, they act as decomposers, breaking down decaying matter like fallen leaves, wood, and dead plants. By doing so, they help to recycle nutrients and return them to the ecosystem.
2. Food Source: For various animals, including birds, reptiles, and some insects, cockroaches serve as a valuable food source. They are a crucial part of the diet for many species, contributing to the overall balance of predator-prey relationships in ecosystems.
3. Survival Skills: Cockroaches have evolved to be incredibly resilient and adaptable. Their ability to survive in diverse environments has made them subjects of scientific research that has led to insights in the fields of materials science and robotics, particularly related to designing more resilient structures and robots.
4. Indicators of Environmental Changes: In some cases, the presence or behavior of cockroaches can serve as an indicator of environmental changes. For example, an influx of cockroaches in a particular area may suggest an imbalance in the ecosystem, signaling environmental issues that need attention.

Are Cockroaches Dangerous?

More than just an annoying pest, cockroaches can damage your home and even be a health hazard. Cockroaches are good at hiding and breed quickly, multiplying your infestation problem over a short period of time. During the day the insects stay out of sight, breeding and waiting until nightfall when they come out in force in your home, preying on spoiled food in the kitchen and bathroom.

These bugs are disease carriers and leave a trail of disease wherever they go in your home. This can create a health problem for your family leading to sickness and infection. Because they breed so quickly and can even develop resistance to pesticides, cockroaches in Utah are a serious problem for your home and family. Cockroaches are filthy creatures that feed on garbage, breed on sewage and lay waste all over your kitchen counters.

According to the World Health Organization, cockroaches are known or suspected carriers of the microorganisms that can cause diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, leprosy, plague, typhoid fever and viral diseases, such as poliomyelitis. While they aren’t a leading cause of disease spread, their presence in your home does mean there is a chance your family can become ill from catching what they are carrying. Current research shows that asthma and other allergies can be worse if you have cockroaches in the home as well.

Getting Rid of Cockroaches in Your House

While cockroaches can last an entire month without food, they will only survive for one week without water. With this dependency you’ll want to check humid and high-moisture places around your home such as the basement or bathroom to find their hiding places.

Cleanliness to the extreme is your first step in fighting an infestation. Cockroaches are attracted to dirt and filth for ready access to hide and breed and feed. Before going to sleep make sure every dish has been washed and put away. Ensure the floor is clear of crumbs or spills and has been mopped recently and the garbage has been taken out. Wash the grease off the stovetop and make sure all the food in the pantry is sealed in containers.

The second line of defense is store bought traps to kill the cockroaches. These traps can be purchased at most supermarkets or home improvement stores and will use a scent or bait to attract the roaches, catching them on a sticky surface. This type of trap takes awhile to capture all the bugs so monitor the progress and be patient.

A store bought roach killing liquid concentrate can be applied to cracks and crevices as well. This type of killer is purchased as a liquid concentrate and then diluted in a spray bottle or even a mop bucket and you can mop the floor with the killing liquid concentrate. This type of defense sees big results even overnight.

Roach baits can also be affective, these chemical baits appear to be food to cockroaches but after ingesting the bait, the cockroaches return to their nest and die. Other cockroaches feast on the dead roach, spreading the poison to the rest of the nest.

Finally, if you do NOT have furry pets at home, you can try using boric acid as a home remedy against cockroaches. Mix equal amounts of boric acid, flour and sugar into a dough and then leave the balls of dough out for a cockroaches to feast on. The flour and sugar attracts the bugs and the boric acid will kill them. Once again, while this is effective for killing roaches it’s also very harmful if you have pets.

If you want to take care of the problem quickly and throughly, contact a local pest removal company for help without the hassle.

Here’s How Cockroaches Discover Ways to Sneak Inside Homes

Cockroaches are notorious for their ability to infiltrate our homes and buildings. Understanding how these resilient pests manage to gain access is the first step in preventing their unwelcome presence. Cockroaches use a variety of tactics to enter structures, and here’s how they manage to wiggle their way in:

1. Tiny Gaps and Cracks: Cockroaches are incredibly adept at squeezing through even the smallest openings. They can infiltrate through gaps around windows, doors, and utility entry points, making it essential to seal any cracks and crevices.
2. Ventilation Systems: Many buildings have ventilation systems with openings or vents that cockroaches can navigate through. Properly maintained screens and covers can help keep them out.
3. Utility Lines: Cockroaches can use utility lines such as plumbing, electrical, and cable conduits to move within a structure. They take advantage of these hidden pathways, so it’s crucial to ensure that utility entry points are properly sealed.
4. Furniture and Packaging: Sometimes, these pests hitch a ride on infested items brought into a building. Cockroaches can be hidden in furniture, packages, or bags, so inspecting incoming items for signs of infestation is crucial.
5. Drains and Sewers: Cockroaches are known to enter structures through drains and sewers. Installing drain covers and traps can help prevent their entry through this route.
6. Open Doors and Windows: Cockroaches can easily enter through open doors and windows, especially during warm weather. Installing screens and practicing good hygiene can reduce the risk of these pests making their way indoors.
7. Food Sources: Cockroaches are drawn to food sources, making kitchens and pantries their prime targets. They often find their way inside by following scent trails left by food crumbs and residue.

Selling Your House With Cockroaches

Showing a house with any type of bug issue is a red flag for potential buyers. Not only that but when you pack up to move those same cockroaches will just be moving with you and bringing the bug problems to your new home in every box and hidden spot of furniture. Clearing your home of bugs before listing your house is the best way to move forward to guarantee a better sale price. If you are in a situation where the bugs keep returning and the problem is recurring a traditional buyer will not likely be interested in purchasing a home with cockroaches in Utah.

At GaryBuysHouses, we are your local, non-traditional house buyer. We are highly trusted and offer you the perfect go-to option for selling your house that has problems like pests, even if the issue is extensive. We can easily make an honest cash offer to purchase your house and take on the liability and cost of repairs, pest control and updates. If you find yourself in a problem with a house overrun by pests and illness, cost or anxiety lead you to needing to sell your home fast reach out to us here.