There is nothing worse than finding a cockroach in your home, but getting rid of it after it is dead is a different story. You naturally do not want to get near it, but you still need to get it out of your living space. Many solutions are available for an easy dead cockroach disposal. These tips will make your life easier and make the entire process flawless for you.
Dead Cockroach Disposal Options
Getting rid of a dead cockroach is a lot more than just throwing it in the trash. This is definitely a viable option, but you need to be aware that cockroaches can still spread bacteria after they are dead. It is easiest to throw the cockroach in the trash if you need to get rid of it quickly, but you need to secure it before doing so.
You can pick it up with a plastic bag that you can close before you throw it away. This will prevent bacteria from spreading throughout your home. Each time you open your trashcan, a cockroach that is thrown away without being secured in a bag first can potentially infect your living space.
This is especially true because your trashcan is likely located in the kitchen. This is the space where you are preparing and eating food. A lot of people keep their trash in the pantry, and this is also the main source of your food storage. You do not want to risk getting the food contaminated by lingering bacteria. If possible, you can always throw the cockroach away in an outdoor trash bin. You will still want to secure it in some kind of bag because you are going to touch the bin when you need to pull it out onto the curb and bring it back in.
When dealing with many dead roaches, you can opt for burning them and then throwing away the remains. This will kill any lingering bacteria and make for the easy disposal of multiple cockroaches.
If you keep a compost bin, this is another option that will actually serve a beneficial purpose. The cockroaches will decompose because they are organic, and during this process, they release water and nutrients into the ecosystem. You can then use this compost in your yard for fertilization. The compost bin removal option is great if you want to make sure you are doing the most you can for the environment.
What Not to Do
It is a pretty obvious rule of thumb, but you never want to pick up a dead cockroach with your bare hands. Even if you are not a squeamish person, you need to make sure you are not making direct contact with the cockroach. This has to do with the bacteria that can spread. This happens very quickly if you are handling dead bugs, even if you make sure to wash your hands afterward.
If you have pets, another thing you want to avoid is dead cockroach disposal in a place where your animals might have the opportunity to eat it. The cockroach can make them very sick, and this also increases the chance of bacteria spreading. Even if the dead cockroach is consumed, your pet might lick things around the house or you.
You really want to make sure that you dispose of it where your animals will not have any access. Keep in mind that the same rule applies if you have children. Children, especially young children, are very curious. If they see a dead cockroach in the trash, they might be tempted to pick it up or touch it. This can be dangerous, so make sure you dispose of it very well.
You might want to place it deeper into the trash if you are getting rid of it indoors. It would be ideal to take out the trash to prevent your child from getting curious. Aside from these basic tips, you should not have to worry about doing anything “wrong” when getting rid of the cockroach.
Dealing with Infestations
Now that you know what to do with dead cockroaches, you also need to know what to do if you are experiencing an infestation. This is never fun, and the problem might seem endless since cockroaches are very resilient. You might not want to spray your home with harsh chemicals because of your family and pets, so you need to learn about the alternatives you can use.
Going with an exterminator is a great option because they will use non-toxic chemicals. Getting your home sprayed regularly for pests will help prevent cockroach infestations. The biggest inconvenience with this is that you might need to be away from your home for an hour or two while it gets sprayed.
You can also use cockroach prevention sprays for times in between exterminator sprays. Most of these sprays are non-toxic, and they work to repel cockroaches rather than kill them. Usually, you spray it around the perimeter of the room where you are experiencing an infestation. This will prevent the cockroaches from coming into the space.
Another natural way you can deal with infestations is by keeping your home clean and dry. Cockroaches are attracted to moisture because they need it to survive. This is why you might notice cockroaches coming in through your sink or other drains. If you are concerned about this, you can close your drains at night to prevent them from being able to come up. Dealing with cockroaches is never fun, dead or alive, but these tips should help improve your situation.
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