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How to Get Rid of Cockroaches in Furniture

Cockroaches are not fussy about where they nest. The fact that they can thrive in the filthiest of places proves that. But did you know that these pests can also thrive in relatively clean places like furniture? Here’s how to get rid of Cockroaches in Furniture

Why cockroaches live in furniture

  • They find furniture comfortable. Even though cockroaches can thrive almost anywhere, they do have preferences when it comes to hiding spots. The thing with furniture is that it is not just comfortable for you. It is also comfortable for various pests like cockroaches. It has nooks and crannies that can provide shelter and warmth. And many homeowners don’t always clean or “disturb” their furniture, making it the perfect place for pests to thrive.
  • They get food and water from furniture. Many homeowners are guilty of eating and drinking around their furniture. There is nothing more relaxing than eating and drinking your favorite snacks while you are idling in your bed, couch, or soft-cushioned chair. But unfortunately, crumbs and spills can get into furniture, providing sustenance to pests.
  • Furniture is the perfect spot to lay eggs. The nooks and crannies inside furniture are often dark and undisturbed, making them the safest spots to nurture the next generation of pests. There may be holes in your bed, gaps in your couch, and cracks between your soft-cushioned chairs. These are all ideal places for pest eggs.
Cockroaches can lay their eggs in furniture.
Ootheca of a Pennsylvania wood cockroach. Source: Happy1892 (Creative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International — CC BY-SA 4.0)

Ways to get rid of cockroaches in furniture

Cockroaches in furniture are particularly problematic because of how near they can get to you, your family, and your pets. Everybody inside your home uses furniture in one way or another. This puts them at risk of getting in contact with filthy cockroaches and their bites.

Get rid of these cockroaches now by using any of the following methods.

1. Regular cleaning

The best way to avoid cockroaches in furniture is to avoid cockroaches in general. If you don’t have cockroaches on your property, you won’t have to worry about them thriving anywhere near you.

Clean your home regularly to avoid attracting pests like cockroaches. Make sure you store your food and water in cabinets, containers, and refrigerators. And throw away clutter like cardboard boxes, old magazines, newspapers, and other useless items where cockroaches can hide and nest.

2. Vacuuming

Vacuuming has so many advantages over other pest control methods. It captures not just the pest themselves, but also their eggs. This ensures that no new generation of pests thrives in the area. It also doesn’t involve the use of harmful chemicals, which can be very risky for unsupervised children and pets.

Vacuuming is also very straightforward. But when using this pest control method, make sure you are very thorough and that you are not letting the pests escape by going to another piece of furniture. It’s also a good idea to isolate the infested furniture, so the pests have no place to retreat.

3. Cold treatment

Like many insects, cockroaches are vulnerable to extreme temperatures. This is good news if you live in a cold area. You can subject the infested furniture to extreme cold by placing it outside. The cockroaches may become so uncomfortable that they end up leaving. This is particularly effective for furniture made of ceramic material, metal, or any other material that absorbs coldness effectively.

However, it can also be very ineffective. Cockroaches may be so deep within the furniture that they become very sheltered and immune to cold temperatures. Their eggs may also be unaffected.

4. Professional pest control

Many homeowners choose to DIY their way out of their pest problem. But DIY methods aren’t always effective, and they can be a waste of time if you don’t know what you are doing. Professional pest controllers won’t let you down. They can diagnose your problem properly and use the right methods to get rid of the pests effectively and safely.

Sure, you may have to let go of some cash, but at least there is the assurance that your problem will be 100% solved.

5. Insecticide

If you think you can deal with the cockroaches yourself, using insecticides is a good way to start. Just make sure you are using insecticides that are specifically formulated for cockroaches. Those that are not may be ineffective. Also, please follow the instructions on the labels to ensure effectiveness and safety. After all, you will be handling chemicals that can be harmful to the people around you.

It may be a good idea to isolate the infested furniture, so the cockroaches have nowhere to retreat. And make sure that the spray reaches the insides of the furniture to actually reach the cockroaches hiding in it.

6. Natural pest control

The great thing about natural remedies is that they don’t have harmful chemicals that can put everybody in your home at risk. But their downside is that they can also be very ineffective, especially those that are not really proven to get rid of cockroaches and just have anecdotal evidence that they work.

Bay leaves, garlic, lemon, and essential oils such as eucalyptus, lavender, and peppermint are just some of the most popular natural cockroach controllers. You can dilute any of them in water to create a cockroach killer or repellent. And then spray the solution all over your furniture.

Get rid of cockroaches in furniture using insecticides or natural remedies.

How to avoid cockroaches in furniture

  • Make food and water inaccessible. Food and water items are the strongest attractors of various pests, not just cockroaches. If these are easily accessible in your home, you are basically inviting pests. Don’t just store them properly. Pick up crumbs and wipe away spills too.
  • Maintain the cleanliness of your home. Cockroaches can thrive even in clean homes. But if your home is filthy, you are not giving yourself any chances. Cockroaches are particularly attracted to clutter you don’t frequently touch, like your old shoe boxes. Throw away all the items that have no practical use to minimize the hiding spots of cockroaches.
  • Be wary of second-hand furniture. If you are thinking of buying second-hand furniture, be very careful. It may be infested by cockroaches. Inspect second-hand furniture before buying it and taking it home. It may be the thing that starts a pest infestation on your property. Cockroaches are not just the pests that can thrive in second-hand furniture. Bed bugs are known to infiltrate homes through secondhand furniture too.

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