5 Ways to Remove Cockroach Smell

What are the ways to remove cockroach smell?

1. Find the nest
2. Eliminate the source
3. Use the right equipment
4. Vacuum
5. Disinfect and clean

 

A cockroach infestation can be troublesome for homeowners in a number of ways. Aside from carrying diseases, one of the grossest things associated with them is their smell. A heavy roach infestation can leave your home with an unbearable stench. So what causes cockroach smell and what are the ways to remove cockroach smell?

Most expert pest control services use the words moldy, oily, or mildewy to describe a cockroach smell. The oriental cockroach type is known to produce one of the worst stenches, but American and German cockroaches can also give off a foul smell. Continue reading on to learn about the best and most effective ways to remove cockroach smell.

 

Why Do Cockroaches Smell?

Before you learn about how to get rid of cockroach odor, you must know the three main reasons why cockroaches smell in the first place.

The first reason involves their pheromones. Pheromones are secreted or excreted chemicals that form communication between members of the same species. This is used to gather other cockroaches to nesting areas and to attract mates.

The second cause of roach smell is feces. Most living things excrete feces that smell foul. The difference with cockroaches is that they move around and poop everywhere. If a cockroach is moving around your kitchen and bathroom, it is excreting feces throughout the travel. Their feces can also start to grow mold, which adds to the stench.

Lastly, when cockroaches die, they give off a “death stench.” Their decaying bodies shed skins and release oleic acid, which also has a powerful stench.

 

Find The Nest

To get rid of the cockroach smell you must first get rid of its source — its nest. Take the time to identify where the cockroaches travel and live. These are their nesting areas, which will be the biggest source of their smell.

Use a flashlight and check for common cockroach nests such as cracks and crevices in kitchens, inside appliances, laundry rooms, under the drains of bathrooms, and crawl spaces. Keep in mind that cockroaches prefer to take shelter in hidden and dark areas where moistures and food are present. You can determine a cockroach nest if there are piles of shed skins, feces, live and dead cockroaches, and egg cases.

If you are still unsure where they hide, you can try rolling out a baiting system and see which one catches the most cockroaches. That is where you will likely find the nest.

 

Eliminate The Source

Once you find the nest, you should start getting rid of the sources — which are the cockroaches themselves. A strong musty smell is an indication of a cockroach infestation and must be dealt with properly and quickly to prevent the population from increasing.

To completely get rid of a cockroach infestation, you will need to have an integrated pest management approach. Cockroach pest control services will do this job best, but the more you can eliminate along the way, the better. Elimination of food sources and water sources, proper waste management, and disinfecting your home are some of the most important steps of pest management.

 

Use The Right Equipment

If you didn’t already know, cockroaches can be sources of allergens and they can carry harmful diseases. In order to protect you and your loved ones, it is vital to go take precautionary measures when cleaning the nest.

Getting rid of cockroach odor means getting rid of the feces, which can trigger allergens such as asthma. You might want to wear disposable vinyl gloves and masks. If the odor is unbearable, a respirator will provide more protection.

 

Vacuum

Start vacuuming the highest areas of your home and work your way down. Vacuum any cockroach feces, shed skins, and even live roaches that you come across. Run your vacuum home along the top of cabinets, inside drawers, behind furniture, under sinks, and anywhere you have seen signs of cockroaches.

Once you have ensured every location is properly vacuumed, seal the bag and dispose of it properly to avoid further infestations.

 

Disinfect and Clean

Once you have vacuumed the feces and skins, spray the nest and other zones where you found signs of infestation with a powerful EPA-registered disinfectant and let it sit for 10 minutes or longer. If the nest or smell is in the cabinet, remove all its contents and spray away. If the odor persists in other parts of your home, spray all the affected areas thoroughly.

Next, use a light degreaser to scour the infested areas. Scrub until no feces are present. Once you are sure all the areas are free from odor, reapply the EPA-registered disinfectant to kill other bacteria. After the chemical odor dissipates, you will remove the cockroach smell.

 

Key Takeaway

These are some of the best ways to remove cockroach smell. As you get rid of your roach odor problem, you may need to repeat these steps.

Cockroach infestations can be troublesome. Aside from their foul stench, they can also carry harmful diseases. If you realize that cockroaches are infesting your home, you should take immediate action. It would also be best to seek professional pest control services to ensure the musty odor never returns.

Cut back on your pest concerns today by calling Topbest. With years of expertise, we offer comprehensive and only the most effective pest control services. Click here to book your free pest consultation!