Cockroaches in your home is disturbing, but it’s worse when they’re in your bedroom. You will find yourself fidgeting, constantly on the lookout for the creepy crawlies. And once you’ve come across one, you know there are more, lurking.
It’s easy to freak out and feel “there’s a cockroach in my room and I can’t sleep!” What should you do?Â
First things first: deep breath. Cockroaches aren’t dangerous, you’re not going to die in your sleep. Beyond that, let’s figure out where they’re coming from, and learn how to get rid of them.
Read on!
There’s a Cockroach In My Room and I Can’t Sleep!
You may have seen a cockroach scurry by, and now you’re panicked at 3 am, tossing and turning, waiting for the invasion.
If that’s the case, stop torturing yourself. You can leave a couple of lights on and try to get some shut-eye. Once you’ve slept, you’ll be much more clear-headed, and ready to deal with the cockroach infestation.
You can leave a couple of lights on and try to get some shut-eye. Once you’ve slept, you’ll be much more clear-headed, and ready to deal with the cockroach infestation.
Cockroaches are an annoyance, and it can be freaky to let your guard down and sleep, knowing they’re there. But roaches are not fundamentally dangerous, and they’re not interested in you. They want food that may be in your house, they don’t want you.
Sure, go ahead and try to find any roaches in your room you can find. But if you’ve tried and haven’t seen them again, it’s time to rest, regroup, and restart in the morning.
Why Are There Cockroaches In My Room?
Fortunately, recognizing what attracts roaches to your home is the first step toward getting rid of them.
Here are some of the most common reasons why cockroaches may be making their way into your room:
1. Food Availability
Roaches will consume just about everything. They enjoy carbs, sweets, oily cuisine, and meats in particular.
They will be drawn in by easy food sources, such as soiled dishes in the sink, pet food on the floor, or crumbs on the counter. They may even go after cardboard boxes.
Roaches are attracted to rubbish, so take out the trash regularly and keep any home garbage cans properly closed.
This is basic stuff, but for those of us with busy schedules, it’s easy to let the cleaning slip. So get your vacuum and cleaning spray, and dive in!
2. Water Availability
Roaches require water to survive – and they will enter even the cleanest houses to obtain it.
Leaky pipes and faucets, as well as exposed showers (and even shower traps) and pet water bowls, are typical attractants.
3. Shelter From the Elements
Cockroaches seek sanctuary in houses. Roaches will come indoors when the temperature drops outside. Roaches may reside in different places depending on the species.
They like quiet, neglected places and may dwell behind large appliances, basement corners, and the attic.
4. Attactive Landscaping Objects
Roaches prefer to dwell inside, but they will infiltrate your yard to seek food, shelter, and water.
Standing water in birdbaths, gutters, flowerpots, and food sources like birdseed or fruit plants will all attract roaches, as well as other rodents and pests.
5. Location Location Location!
Real estate is all about location. And unfortunately, certain sites attract more roaches than others.
Some species of cockroaches, for example, do not require unclean conditions to survive. They enter through a break in a window seal or a space around a pipe and begin establishing themselves in your home.
What Are The Signs Of Cockroach Infestation?
Cockroach droppings are frequently the first clue of cockroaches before you ever see them. If you suspect there are cockroaches in your room, these are the signs you should look out for.
Cockroach Feces
Cockroach feces vary in appearance and size depending on the species that produces the feces. The feces of the most frequent cockroaches seen can vary based on the size of the offending species.
Fluttering or Tapping Sounds
Sometimes, you might also hear cockroaches, making it difficult to sleep in your room. But cockroaches are not renowned for generating a lot of noise.Â
While these bugs have been observed to create a clicking sound, this is most likely due to the observer mistaking click beetles for cockroaches.
However, if cockroach populations are great enough, you can hear the sounds of their fluttering wings. Cockroaches are commonly linked with the crunch sound they produce when squashed.
Allergy Attacks
You may also start having allergic reactions to cockroaches. Every human population has a subset of people who have immune systems that react to seemingly benign things such as pollen or dust.
Cockroaches cause allergic reactions in people who have no other sensitivities. Furthermore, it is predicted that one-third of those allergic to other allergens are also allergic to cockroaches.
Visible Roaches!
Certainly, the most disturbing sign of a roach infestation is seeing roaches scurrying around your house! Yes, it happens, very frequently.
But abandoning your home and crashing on your friend’s couch forever isn’t the solution. Instead, stay calm and take the right steps to get rid of them.
How Can I Get Rid Of Cockroaches?
If there are crumbs or stains from dropped drinks, or if you saw one zip across the floor, cockroaches may reside in your bedroom.
Roaches may even consume dead skin cells and hair, which is still there, no matter how much you vacuum and dust.Â
Roaches may even consume dead skin cells and hair, which is still there, no matter how much you vacuum and dust.Â
If your bedside table is primarily empty coffee mugs or water, these are a fantastic source of hydration. Cockroaches can enter your home through cracks or openings in the walls, windows, floors, and ceiling, and find those water and food sources.
1. Clean Everything ThoroughlyÂ
You should clean your room. Even the tidiest people can slip up and leave behind something that will attract cockroaches, it just happens. But the more you stay on top of cleaning, the less likely you will be to attract roaches.
Be sure to remove any food, paper, or cardboard, as they can even feed on this. Keep your space as clear of clutter as possible, and dust and vacuum regularly.
Clean up after your pets, including little bits of food they may have missed in their bowls. They can be sloppy eaters!
Clean up after your pets, including little bits of food they may have missed in their bowls. They can be sloppy eaters!
Keep clothing and towel stacks off the floor. Organize your closet and keep dirty clothes in a container or basket because the dampness of towels and laundry can also attract roaches.Â
Cockroaches will survive even the hardest conditions when provided with food and water. Limit eating and drinking to a separate area to reduce the number of spills or crumbs in your bedroom.Â
It’s just a good idea, regardless.
2. Use Citrus, Peppermint, And Cypress Oil
Cockroaches are naturally repulsed by peppermint, citrus, and cypress. To dilute essential oils, combine them with water and fill a spray container.
Spritz this near doors, windows, and anywhere else you want cockroaches to stay away from. Because it may stain materials, spray it in your closets and not on your mattress, carpets, or clothing.
3. Try Some Catnip
According to studies, roaches are repelled by the chemical nepetalactone, which is contained in catnip. You should simmer a tiny quantity in water.Â
Once it has cooled, pour it into a spray bottle and treat your bedroom’s baseboards and entrances. You may also place little quantities in small potpourri bags in your closet, under your bed, and on any shelf.
4. Spread Some Diatomaceous EarthÂ
Diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring powder that is completely harmless to people. It is, however, lethal to any insects with an exoskeleton, including cockroaches.
Its abrasive texture causes dehydration by damaging the exoskeleton. You can reduce cockroaches by sprinkling diatomaceous earth in areas where they congregate.
Conclusion
A cockroach infestation in your bedroom can be annoying, unsightly, freaky, and mildly harmful to your health (mostly allergies). Â
Once the roaches have infiltrated your room, they can be difficult to eradicate. It is considerably easier to take preventative measures before an infestation starts.
But even if you can’t get rid of them immediately, just leave a few lights on and go to sleep. You’ll be ok until morning.
Then it’s time to start to work toward getting rid of them!
