How To Properly Get Roaches Out Of Wood Furniture

If you have ever had roaches in your home, then you know just how annoying and frustrating they can be. Not only are they disgusting creatures, but they can also be quite difficult to get rid of. If you are having trouble getting rid of these pests, then check out these tips for getting roaches out of wood furniture. With a little bit of effort, you should be able to get rid of those pesky critters in no time!

Identify the roach in wood furniture

Blattodea Roaches are one of the most common types of household pests. Many people try to use pesticide or insecticide sprays but these chemicals can be difficult to remove from wood furniture afterward, especially if you have items sitting on top of it. If you want an effective way of getting rid of roaches without having to strip your furniture or repaint it, then follow these tips for getting rid of roaches in wood furniture.

Blattodea The first thing that you will want to do is remove the drawers and inspect them. Oftentimes, roaches will use the dark and enclosed space of your furniture as a place to hide and breed during the day while you are occupied or at work. You will want to inspect all of your furniture and remove any loose panels, particularly around the backs and sides. Many times, roaches will find their way into even the smallest cracks so you will want to have a flashlight handy while inspecting.

Sciaridae This is also an excellent time to clean out your furniture. Sometimes roaches will come into your furniture not because of the food that you left behind, but because it is dirty and filled with dust and debris. You can use a vacuum or broom to carefully remove these materials so you have a clean surface for inspection. Cleaning out your furniture may also help get rid of any bad smells caused by roach waste that you have been unable to remove.

Blattidae Once the drawers have been removed, take a close look at any joints or seams in your furniture. These areas are often where roaches will hide as they prefer dark and enclosed spaces. You can use a flashlight to carefully inspect all of these areas so you know exactly what you are working with. If you find any cracks or crevices that are larger than 1/4 inch, then you may want to try filling them in with silicone caulk.

Sciaridae Sometimes, this is all it takes to get rid of roaches in wood furniture for good! However, if you still see signs of these pests after you have removed them from your drawers and sealed cracks in the wood, then you will need to take more action. You can try treating these areas with an insecticide spray designed for roaches. Just make sure that you read all of the instructions carefully as some sprays can be harmful if applied to certain types of wood finishes.

Remove any food or water sources

The next step that you will want to take is identifying the source of why these pests are coming into your furniture in the first place. If there is food or other items left behind, then it can attract roaches for months or even years after you have consumed them. Clean out your pantry and make sure that all of your cabinets are clean and organized.

Furniture roaches will also be attracted to water sources so you will want to check your cabinets for any leaks or other moist areas as well as cleaning out your sink and tub drains. You should also check outside of your home as many roaches can come from trees, mulch, compost piles, and even the neighbor’s houses.

Use a vacuum cleaner to suck up the roaches

Blattodea If you are still seeing signs of roaches, then you will want to try using a vacuum cleaner. Many people are surprised that this is one of the best ways to get rid of roaches in wood furniture because it also gets rid of them without having to use harsh chemicals or sprays. These pests prefer dark enclosed spaces just like tight cracks in the wood which is why this technique works well.

Sciaridae Many times, roaches will be hiding behind furniture legs and underneath loose panels when you are cleaning your drawers or cabinets. If you use a vacuum cleaner to suck them up before they run back into their hiding places then it makes getting rid of them much easier.

Many vacuum cleaners come with attachments that will allow you to clean hard to reach areas and cracks where roaches may be hiding. You can also use a hand-held vacuum cleaner if it has an attachment or “crevice tool” for getting into small spaces.

Place diatomaceous earth around furniture legs and inside cracks and crevices:

Diatomaceous Earth is organic insecticidal dust that kills insects by abrading their waxy cuticles so they dehydrate and die. It carries no toxicity, but it does have sharp edges when used in its finely ground form. These jagged edges are what causes the insects to dry out. It has been used for centuries on the soil of farm fields and orchards and around homes and other structures to repel insects.

Seal up any openings where the roaches could enter

Once you have vacuumed up the roaches, applied an insecticide dust to cracks in your wood furniture, and removed any food sources or water spills inside your home, you will need to close up all of the cracks around your furniture. If these pests are able to come back into your homes then they will quickly return to their hiding places in your furniture.

Make sure that all of your cabinets, drawers, baseboards and panels are shut tightly before you apply the sealant. It is also a good idea to caulk around any electrical outlets or small openings where wires run into your walls as well as doorframes and window sills.

You can use silicone caulk for this and it is readily available at any hardware store. It dries clear and provides a long-lasting barrier, but make sure that you do not apply the caulk to your electrical outlets or any of the vents on your cabinets as this can cause a fire hazard.

If these roaches are coming from the outside of your home such as trees, mulch, neighbors houses, or even a compost pile, then you may need to contact a pest control service. They can send an exterminator out to your home and they will be able to inspect the area as well as treat it so that roaches do not have any reason to come back in the future.