How likely is it to bring roaches when you move? Cockroaches are more than just disturbing; they are also a sanitation risk. These critters can be found in sewers, drains, and garbage areas, exposing themselves to various germs. Moreover, they are carriers of disease-causing pathogens. Needless to say, having them as unwelcome guests in your home is highly undesirable.
Cockroaches possess sleek, flattened bodies that enable them to conceal themselves effortlessly. Additionally, their remarkable speed and nocturnal activity often enable them to evade detection.
When preparing for a move, it becomes crucial to take extra precautions to prevent any unwelcome companions from accompanying you to your new home. It may not be an immediate consideration, but if you have cockroaches in your current residence, they might inadvertently join you on your journey to the new one.
How Likely is it to Bring Roaches When You Move?
The likelihood depends on several factors. If your current residence has a roach infestation, the probability of transporting roaches to your new home significantly increases. Roaches can hitch a ride in moving boxes, furniture, and appliances, making it quite easy for them to relocate with you.
Precautions taken during packing and moving can greatly decrease the odds of taking these unwanted guests along. That’s why it is advisable to assess the level of infestation and take measures to control it.
You should thoroughly inspect and clean all items before packing them up, paying particular attention to appliances, electronics, furniture, and other large items where roaches can hide. Using new or clean moving boxes instead of ones that have been stored for a while can also help reduce the risk, as roaches can lay eggs in cardboard and paper products.
Even with these preventative steps, the possibility cannot be eliminated. Just remain watchful for signs of roaches in your new home, such as droppings, egg cases, or the roaches themselves. Take action (such as inviting pest control services) immediately if you see even one roach to prevent a full-blown infestation.
How to Avoid Bringing Roaches with You When You Move
You want to have a well-defined strategy to prevent cockroaches from migrating with you. To ensure you don’t inadvertently bring roaches when you move, consider the following tips:
1. Ensure Preventive Measures are Taken
You might question whether roaches can be transferred from one house to another. The answer is yes, they can. Before you commence packing your belongings, it is crucial to inspect your house for typical entry points used by cockroaches. Remain vigilant for cracks and crevices in proximity to doorways and windows, as these can serve as entry points for insects to infiltrate your home. Consider using caulk or an appropriate sealant to effectively seal these gaps, thereby thwarting new cockroaches from accessing your house.
2. Maintain Cockroach Awareness
During the packing process, make sure to be aware of the typical hiding spots for cockroaches in your home, as they can differ depending on the cockroach species, and thoroughly inspect these areas for signs of infestation such as egg cases or droppings
Roaches can be discovered in various locations throughout your home, such as kitchen appliances, cabinets, electronics, furniture, and hidden corners. Surprisingly, certain species may even inhabit picture frames and other wall decorations. Try to shake out electronics to remove food crumbs, and pack them individually in sealed plastic bags to avoid attracting roaches with heat and food remnants.
3. Select Appropriate Packing Materials
Cardboard boxes are attractive hiding spots for cockroaches due to the starch-based adhesive used in their construction, allowing roaches to maneuver within the corrugated crevices; consider using plastic tubs with secure lids as an alternative packing option, eliminating hiding spaces for roaches.
To prevent roaches from hitchhiking during a move, ensure to shake out and thoroughly inspect cardboard boxes, especially if obtained from external sources like grocery or liquor stores, or friends and family, before placing any items inside.
4. Cleanse Your Clothes and Linens
Cockroaches can hitchhike on clothes. While uncommon, you just need to take precautions. Before moving, wash your clothes and linens in warm water, adhering to the manufacturer’s instructions, to eliminate any potential presence of insects or eggs. Similar to your other possessions, pack your laundered clothes in airtight plastic containers.
You might also want to consider placing them within vacuum-sealed plastic bags for added protection. If you are relocating furniture or other fabric-based items such as curtains, don’t fail to vacuum them beforehand.
5. Check Your Mattress Thoroughly
Cockroaches do spread on clothes. therefore, make sure to launder your garments and linens in warm water to eliminate any potential insects or eggs. Remember to adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
6. Sanitize Your Kitchen Utensils
Your kitchen provides abundant moisture, dark cabinets, and ample food sources in the form of crumbs and garbage, kitchens are a common hotspot for roaches in homes. So, the goal is to clean and secure your kitchen items.
Thoroughly wash your pots and pans. Be aware that kitchen appliances such as toasters, microwaves, toaster ovens, and coffee makers can also be enticing to roaches. Opt for clear plastic bags when storing small appliances, enabling you to inspect for any cockroach activity before unpacking in your new location.
7. Inspect Your Pet’s Food and Belongings
Cockroaches are attracted to open bags of dog and cat food as a source of nutrition. The preventive measure is to transfer the food into an airtight plastic container after opening the bag. Discard any open bags of food or slowly pour the contents into a container, while remaining vigilant for the presence of cockroaches.
You also want to inspect your pet’s feeding stations by checking inside and underneath to ensure no unwelcome guests are hiding.
While packing your pet’s blankets and bedding, give each piece a thorough shake to check for any indications of a cockroach infestation. If you’re uncertain about a specific blanket or toy, discard it to prioritize safety.
8. Inspect Plants, Pots, and Gardening Supplies
Both indoor and outdoor plants should be inspected for any indications of roach presence to avoid moving with them to your new apartment. Pots and gardening supplies, whether stored in your garage or outdoor space, can serve as a shelter for cockroaches and other insects.
The moist and dark environment provided by the soil in plant containers can be an attractive hiding spot. It is advisable to meticulously check each pot or plant holder, ensuring they are clean before packing them for your relocation.
9. Inspect Electronics and Appliances
From stereos to game consoles, electronics, and household appliances create a snug and enclosed environment that may attract cockroaches seeking to establish a nest. Take your time to cautiously and safely open as many electronic devices as feasible, diligently checking for any indications of roach activity.
It also helps to conduct a thorough inspection to uncover signs of infestations. In certain instances, it may be possible to remove the outer casing of the device to examine its interior for any deceased cockroaches or other indicators of infestation. If there are sizable openings, you can gently shake the device to dislodge any residing critters without causing harm or damage.
10. Be Extremely Cautious Pre-Unpacking
You have taken all the essential precautions to prevent roaches from accompanying you during your move, but your belongings might have unintentionally picked up some unwanted six-legged hitchhikers during the process.
After being on the moving truck or in storage, your boxes might have picked up cockroaches, so it’s important to unpack them carefully, thoroughly inspect your new space, including cabinets, closets, and small areas, and consider sealing any cracks or crevices near walls and doors with caulk before proceeding with unpacking.
Stay Prepared in Advance
They say that the best defense is a good offense. So if you have concerns about unintentionally transporting pests during your move, reach out to a pest control professional for assistance. Consider scheduling a thorough inspection before moving into your new home, where a pest control professional can examine and treat both your current residence and the new property. That’s a sure way to ensure that cockroaches don’t become an added complication to your move.
With so much on your plate, dealing with cockroaches should be the last thing you have to worry about.
The probability of bringing roaches with you during a move depends on several factors. Firstly, if your current residence has a pre-existing roach infestation, there is a higher chance of these pests hitching a ride on your belongings.
Conclusion – Is It Likely to Bring Roaches When You Move?
The method of transportation you choose for your belongings can also impact the chances of bringing roaches along. Moving trucks or storage warehouses may already have roach populations, leading to possible cross-contamination. If your items are stored in areas where roaches have easy access, such as basements or garages, the risk of roach presence increases.
Lastly, the precautions you take before and during the move can significantly affect the likelihood of bringing roaches. Thoroughly inspecting and cleaning your belongings, sealing boxes tightly, and using roach deterrents or treatments can help minimize the chances of unwanted roach hitchhikers.
While it is impossible to eliminate the risk, being aware of these factors and taking appropriate measures can significantly reduce the likelihood of bringing roaches when you move to your new home.
