$50.00 OFF Pest Control* Save50
*Terms and conditions apply - call for details
HomeBlog
Why Are Roaches Worse In The Summer?
August 8, 2023

Why Are Roaches Worse In The Summer?

Why are roaches worse in the summer? It's a question that many homeowners ask as temperatures rise and they start to notice these vile pests dashing across the kitchen floor, lurking in the bathroom, or hiding out in other parts of their homes. It’s no coincidence that Midwest property owners find themselves battling cockroaches as soon as the hot weather arrives and in this blog post, we’ll explain why roaches are indeed worse in the summer.

food left out on table will attract cockroaches

Why cockroach activity in Des Moines & across the Midwest surges in the summer

Summertime brings more than just barbecues and pool parties to the Midwest. For homeowners in communities such as Des Moines and Kansas City, it also ushers in a surge of roach infestations. Here are a few reasons why cockroaches are worse in the summer:

  • Roaches love heat and moisture
    American cockroaches and other species are drawn to warm and moist environments. When it’s hot and dry out, they tend to infest homes and specifically parts of the house that offer the two elements they love.
  • They reproduce faster in hot weather
    Although cockroaches can reproduce all year round, hot summer weather can accelerate their reproductive cycle, resulting in a population surge during the summer months across Des Moines and other parts of the Midwest.
  • Cockroaches are more active when it’s warm outside
    During the summer months, cockroaches are more active, searching for food, water, and shelter. As a result, they often find a way inside homes through cracks, gaps, and other openings on the exterior.
  • There’s plenty of food available
    Cockroaches are not picky eaters and in fact are rampant scavengers that consume anything they find including fruits and veggies, grease, starches, hair, trash, and a wide variety of organic matter. Since Midwesterners spend more time in their outdoor living spaces and there tends to be more food inside and out during this season, the easy access to food attracts cockroaches.

4 ways to prevent cockroach infestations this summer

  • #1: Control moisture levels in your home
    As we mentioned above, cockroaches love moisture and thrive in warm and humid areas. Controlling moisture levels is key to making your home less inviting to cockroaches and other pests that love moisture. To accomplish this task, we suggest addressing water leaks and moisture issues.
  • #2: Keep a clean kitchen & home
    Raiding dirty dishes left out overnight or feeding on unattended pet food sounds like an ideal night out… that is if you’re a cockroach. To avoid a situation where you have cockroaches taking over your kitchen in search of food, you should clean dirty dishes after every meal, do not leave pet food out overnight, store food in glass containers with lids, and take the trash out regularly. We also recommend disinfecting counters, cabinets, and floors often.
  • #3: Make your outdoor living space & yard less attractive to cockroaches
    Since cockroaches are just as likely to show up in and around your home, it’s wise to take steps to make those areas less appealing to these pests. Trimming branches, shrubs, plants, and other vegetation that are too close to your home will help accomplish that as will covering outdoor trash cans with durable, tight-fitting lids, and picking up food crumbs wiping up spills that occur in your outdoor living space.
  • #4: Don't let them get inside
    In order to make your home impenetrable to cockroaches, you should seal every potential entry point on the outside of the home, keep doors and windows closed when not in use, and inspect anything you bring inside to make sure cockroaches are not carried in.

What to do if you find cockroaches infesting your home this summer

If you’re struggling with a cockroach infestation this summer, contact Miller Pest & Termite for help. Offering effective pest control services in Des Moines and throughout our multi-state service area, you can rely on our team of pest control specialists to exterminate cockroaches.

Sign up for a home pest control plan and we’ll make sure roaches don't have the opportunity to infest

To protect your family and home from cockroaches this summer and all year long, consider signing up for one of Miller’s home pest control plans. With service every other month and treatments backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee, Miller Pest & Termite is the company to call when you need help with roaches and other pests. Check out our plans and pricing below or simply give us a call!

 

  • interior pest treatment in the basement
  • pest control service in bathroom
  • exterior rodent control
  • interior pest treatment in the basement
  • pest control service in bathroom
  • exterior rodent control

Ongoing Home Pest Control Recommendation

Miller Guard

Our signature Miller Guard pest control plan stands out in the industry by giving you Full Pest Coverage and Zero hidden fees. It is designed to eliminate and prevent insect and rodent problems by targeting pest entry and exit points for maximum effectiveness. It includes an initial premium interior application, exterior applications, web removal, and wasp nest removal.

  • Ongoing Preventive Services 
  • 29 Pests & Services Covered
  • Initial Premium Interior Application
  • Exterior Applications
  • Rodent Control
  • Wasp Nest Removal
  • Cob-Web Removal 
  • 1-Year Service Agreement

Starting at:
$4999A Month

 

Free Quote Or Call (515) 518-8864

miller guard shield icon

Additional Miller Guard Details

Pests Covered: Asian Beetles, Boxelder Bugs, Carpenter Ants, Carpet Beetles, Centipedes, Clothes Moths, Drain Flies, Earwigs, Fleas, Fruit Flies, Grain Beetles, Hornets, House Ants, Indian Meal Moths, Mice, Millipedes, Pill Bugs, Rats, Roaches**, Silverfish, Spiders***, Stink Bugs, Wasps, Weevils, Yellow Jackets

Service frequency will vary based on geography. The Miller Guard program does not include the following pests: honey bees, flies, lice, dust mites, mosquitoes, exterior ticks, ornamental/turf pests, slugs, snails, termites, wildlife, birds, and brown recluse spiders. 

  • Pricing does not include initial fee
  • Must have credit card on file

**American, German & Oriental
*** Venomous & Non-venomous

  • interior pest treatment
  • exterior pest treatment
  • termite protection
  • interior pest treatment
  • exterior pest treatment
  • termite protection

Ongoing Home Pest & Termite Control Recommendation 

Miller GuardPlus

This program includes everything from the Miller Guard - PLUS termite control. When you choose this service, Miller will install HexPro® bait stations around the perimeter of your home to keep wood-destroying termites away.  

  • Ongoing Preventive Services
  • 32 Pests & Services Covered
  • Initial Premium Interior Application
  • Exterior Applications
  • Rodent Control 
  • Termite Coverage
  • Wasp Nest Removal
  • Cob-Web Removal
  • 1-Year Service Agreement

Starting at:
$6999A Month

Free Quote Or Call (515) 518-8864

miller guard plus icon

Additional Miller GuardPlus Details

Pests Covered: Asian Beetles, Boxelder Bugs, Carpenter Ants, Carpet Beetles, Centipedes, Clothes Moths, Drain Flies, Earwigs, Fleas, Fruit Flies, Grain Beetles, Hornets, House Ants, Indian Meal Moths, Mice, Millipedes, Pill Bugs, Rats, Roaches**, Silverfish, Spiders***, Stink Bugs, Wasps, Weevils, Yellow Jackets PLUS Termites

  • Pricing does not include initial fee
  • Must have credit card on file

**American, German & Oriental
*** Venomous & Non-venomous

Get Help Now!

Request Your Free Quote

There was a problem with your submission. Please correct the issues below

Phone should be formatted like (111) 111-1111

By submitting this form I agree to receive marketing messaging from Miller Pest & Termite at the phone number provided above. I understand I may receive at least 2 messages a month and data rates may apply. Sending STOP will opt me out of receiving future messages. 

Please wait…
miller pest control specialist

Call us today for quality pest control

A full-service pest control company serving IA, KS, MO & NE since 2001, you can count on us to eliminate insects & rodents!