Cockroach Removal Preparation : Mistakes to Avoid
We get it—trying to remove cockroaches from your home can be an overwhelming process.
At Advanced Bed Bug Preparation, we frequently see cockroach infestations worsen—not because homeowners didn’t try, but because they unknowingly made mistakes during the DIY preparation and/or removal process.
Understanding what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do. Below are 7 of the most common cockroach removal mistakes and how to avoid them for long-lasting results.
#1: Using Only DIY Sprays
Many homeowners will buy a store-bought spray at the first sign of cockroaches. While these products may kill visible roaches, it’s really not a long-term solutions, as store-bought sprays rarely address the source of the infestation.
DIY sprays can often kill only surface-level cockroaches, and fail to reach hidden nests and egg cases. Additionally, using a DIY spray may only encourage roaches to scatter deeper into the walls of your home.
Without a targeted strategy, infestations can quickly rebound.
#2: Missing Steps for Proper Preparation
One of the biggest mistakes we see is skipping preparation before treatment. Without preparation, even professional-grade treatments may not reach critical infestation areas.
Poor cockroach preparation can block access to baseboards and cabinets and leave food and clutter available to roaches. And even though you are using pesticides, if you don’t properly clean your space, their overall effectiveness will be reduced.
Poor cockroach preparation ultimately leads to unwanted repeat treatments.
#3: Treating Only the Area Where Cockroaches Are Seen
It’s worth noting that cockroaches are congregating not just where they are visible—they are likely living in your walls and nesting in hard-to-reach areas. You may have cockroaches living behind your refrigerator or stove, inside cabinets and walls, under sinks and appliances, or near your home’s plumbing and electrical lines.
Treating visible areas alone allows the infestation to continue unnoticed. If the infestation is out of control, it’s worth discussing with a local cockroach preparation company.
#4: Using Too Much Pesticide
More pesticide does not equal better results. Overusing chemicals can actually make cockroach problems worse and create unnecessary health risks to yourself, your family, your tenants, or your pets.
In fact, using too much pesticide may result in repelling the roaches rather than killing them and cause existing infestations to spread to new areas of your living space.
A professional pest control service instead relies on precision, not excess.
#5: Not Eliminating Food & Moisture Sources
Even after treatment, cockroaches will return if food and water are available. Many infestations persist because environmental conditions are never addressed. If you already have a cockroach problem on your hands, you might want to avoid leaving pet food out overnight.
Be sure to also pay attention to leaks or the presence of moisture in your home. Grease buildup in your kitchen is another way to attract unwanted pests. You’ll also want to throw out all trash as much as possible.
If you want to eradicate cockroaches, removing attractants is essential for permanent cockroach control.
#6: Not Sealing Entry Points
Cockroaches often enter homes through small openings that go unnoticed. Treating without sealing entry points allows new cockroaches to continually enter.
Entry points often include cracks in walls and foundations, gaps around doors and windows, openings around pipes and vents, and even shared walls in multi-unit buildings.
#7: Waiting Too Long to Get Professional Help
Many homeowners wait until infestations become severe before calling professionals. Unfortunately, the longer cockroaches are allowed to breed, the harder they are to remove.
Delaying treatment can result in a larger infestation, higher treatment costs, and longer recovery times. Early intervention saves time, money, and stress. Contact a local pest preparation company as soon as possible!
*Note: Your preparation team is not responsible for the actual extermination process – we contact a local pest control team to handle the actual removal of cockroaches. Advanced Bed Bug Preparation cleans your space and ensures that the extermination team has a prepared space to perform their work.
Related: Guide to Preparing Your Home for Cockroach Extermination
Have a Cockroach Issue? We Can Help!
Cockroach removal is most successful when common mistakes are avoided. DIY shortcuts, poor preparation, and delayed action often allow an infestation to worsen. By understanding these pitfalls and taking a strategic approach, homeowners can achieve effective, long-term control.
At Advanced Bed Bug Preparation, we believe preparation is the foundation of pest control success. When your home is properly prepared, treatments work better—and infestations don’t come back. Our team proudly serves the city of Appleton and the Fox Valley area, Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, and Green Bay.
