While summer is winding down and we are easing into autumn, the weather remains a perfect playground for most critters—especially the infamous cockroach. These little critters seem to have a special fondness for this time of year, when the temperatures are warm enough to sustain them without being so hot that they retreat underground. If you’ve noticed more of these disgusting critters crawling around your home lately, you’re not imagining things.
Let’s consider why cockroaches are so common now and how you can give them the boot for good.
Cockroaches are survival experts. They’ve survived dinosaurs and multiple attempts to kill them off, living in almost any condition. With this late-summer shift, the weather—warm days, cool evenings, and lingering humidity—is perfect for them. Whether they’re the small, fast ones or the big, bold ones, they adore where warmth and moisture settle. A drippy corner of a rainy day or a dripping faucet gives them water, and an errant crumb or overflowing trash can is an all-you-can-eat welcome mat. They’ll eat almost anything, which is why they’re so hard to keep at bay.
Right now, you might be seeing them showing up indoors more often. As the weather changes, cockroaches start searching for warm, consistent-food spots—your house fits the bill. They’re active at night, so late-night visits to the kitchen or bathroom are typical. Flip on a light, and they scurry for cover, into cracks, under appliances, or behind cabinets. They’re experts at concealment, and their speed makes them difficult to catch. And to add insult to injury, they breed rapidly. One female can give birth to dozens of babies, and one sighting can easily become a nightmare infestation.
These pests are not only disgusting—they pose a health risk. They transfer bacteria, allergens, and germs all over your surfaces, from sink to silverware. For the allergy-prone or asthma-sufferer, their droppings and exoskeletons can cause an upset. And then there is the psychological shock: seeing one scurrying across the floor is enough to make anyone shriek. It is not possible to let them stay; they will not conveniently depart on their own.
Prevention is key—plug holes, put food in closed containers, and keep it tidy—but once infested, home remedies like traps or sprays don’t do the trick. To get these buggers eliminated and reclaim your domain, contact Pestatermite at pestatermite@mweb.co.za. They bring out the big guns: targeted treatments that kill cockroaches in all stages of life, from eggs to adults, so they’re gone forever. With a proper inspection and a solid plan, you can be roach-free and breathe easily again.
This time of year might play to the cockroaches’ favour, but it doesn’t have to be their triumph. Act immediately, call in the experts, and chase these unwanted guests away. Your house should be pest-free territory, not a happy hour spot for cockroaches!
