Cockroaches neither feed on our blood like mosquitos nor are the world’s deadliest animals.
But there’s nothing more intimidating than finding a roach in our home unexpectedly. They are thick, greasy, and slick and instantly trigger feelings of disgust in most of us.
However, roaches aren’t notorious for being creepy only; they leave filth on our food, damage fabric, and spread germs around our home.
Studies reveal that they are the potential source of pathogenic bacteria spreading infections.
Perhaps we cannot get enough of the reasons why somebody would want to get rid of this annoying insect from their home. If you are in the same boat and your neighborhood is the primary source of roaches, read on!
How Do Roaches Enter In My Home From Neighbors?
If your neighbors have a roach infestation, it’s time for you to worry.
Roaches can enter your home just like the food smell that travels from your neighbor’s kitchen window to your home.
They are pretty resilient, and this lies in the fact that a commonly asked question among concerned homeowners includes, “Can cockroaches survive a nuclear apocalypse?”
While they certainly cannot survive one, they can:
- Modify their bodies to keep up with the changing atmospheres
- Live without oxygen for up to 40 minutes
- Reproduce without males
- Survive without their head for a week
Unfortunately, if your neighbors have water, food, shelter, and warmth – which they perhaps have – they will draw roaches. Even worse, the creature breeds and multiplies, becoming a source of nuisance.
The question, however, is, how do they enter your home? They can make their way into your home through various entry points, including:
- Pipes
- Floorboards
- Balcony
- Wood panels
- AC units
- Window and door cracks
- Gaps between your door and floor
Note that the list is not comprehensive, and roaches can enter from just about anywhere. They have flexible bodies – like cats – and they can squeeze enter from the smallest of spaces.
Tips to Get Rid of Roaches that Come From Neighbor’s Property
To make your house infestation safe, you first need to determine the entry points of roaches. There is no point in killing cockroaches around your home if you do not stop them from entering your property in the first place.
We’ve listed a few tried and true methods of getting rid of cockroaches below.
Seal All the Entry Points
As stated earlier, roaches have flexible bodies, and they can squeeze into the tiniest of holes. So, to begin with, you must seal all the entry points.
Typical entry points include door and wall gaps, leaking pipes, drains, crevices, and door and window cracks.
If you can seal some entry points permanently, it’s even better. However, if that’s not possible, make sure you seal them tight every night before going to bed.
Roaches are typically active at night, and they probably make their way into your home during that time. So, it’s best to target them by closing the entry points at the right time.
Set Traps to Catch Roaches
Gone are the days when people used slippers to kill the roaches. There are plenty of insect traps available on the market today, including sticky glue traps.
You can place these traps at the point of entry to catch them. However, if you already have roaches in your home, put the traps on the kitchen shelves.
When you sleep, cockroaches are on the hunt for food on your kitchen shelves. So, setting a trap there will help you catch some.
Also, sticky traps suit you well if you have pets in your home. Spraying poisonous repellents around your property can be detrimental to your pet’s health.
Use Repellents
You can also use repellents to keep roaches at bay. If you do not want to go for chemical sprays and are looking for an environmentally friendly option, you can purchase a leaf, oil, or bark extract.
Once you have your repellent, you need to mix it with water and spray it around your property. We recommend spraying at entry points to scare roaches away and target them even before entering your home.
Take Trash Out
If you are concerned about roaches in your home but take out the trash only frequently, perhaps you need to reconsider your habits.
Cockroaches and other filthy insects are drawn to leftovers in the trash. Make sure you remove the garbage every day and maintain cleanliness at all times.
Use Insect Growth Regulators
Insect growth regulators (IGRs) effectively stop baby cockroaches from turning into adult insects.
They come in handy if your home is already infested. Spraying IGRs around your house will help prevent roaches from maturing.
Wash the Dishes
You could be doing dishes all the long, but if you leave a single dirty plate in the sink at night – out of laziness – you are attracting roaches. These insects love to lay eggs on clutter, and unclean dishes make up for their favorite place.
Make sure you wash all the dishes and wipe them clean before retarding to bed each night.
Keep Your Home Clean
There’s no reason not to keep your home clean if you’re nauseated by the presence of roaches. Using repellent sprays and traps work excellent, but you need to ensure optimal home cleaning to keep disgusting bugs and insects away from your home.
Also, a home that “looks” clean isn’t necessarily clean. Simply put, there could be dirt hiding away in the nooks and crannies of your home without you even knowing it.
So, make sure you clean all the areas inside your property and sanitize them thoroughly.
Confront Your Neighbor
Before you rush to your neighbor to confront them, it’s best to confirm that they are the source of the roaches on your property. Going to their house in haste can make things messier and might result in you embarrassing yourself.
You aren’t supposed to fight with them; instead, come up with a solution.
Once you’ve identified that your neighbors are responsible for what’s freaking you out, approach them politely.
- Let them know that cockroaches from their home have infested your home, too.
- Tell them that this issue is a major concern for you and is stressing you out.
- Explain to them how roaches carry germs and can affect their overall wellbeing.
- Offer them solutions to get rid of roaches: sticky traps, repellents, etc.
Can You Sue Your Neighbors Over Roach Infestation?
The fifth amendment of the constitution of the US states that individuals cannot use their property in ways that harm their neighbor’s home. If done otherwise, you have the right to sue them.
Typically, the likelihood of winning the case is extremely low. However, if you have sound evidence and the damage caused is too severe, the law will compensate you.
Nonetheless, it is better to talk to your neighbor before taking extreme steps. Your neighbors will likely understand your concern and offer support.
Closing Notes
No logical reason suggests not to get rid of roaches in your home. Not only are they unhealthy for your home environment, but they are pretty disgusting. The infamous creature contaminates food and causes allergies.
If you are infested with roaches from your neighbor, it is best to take precautionary measures as soon as possible.
Note that our shared tips are not exhaustive; if you have a killer idea to permanently remove roaches from your home, do not hesitate to try it.