Cockroaches are cold-blooded pests that thrive in warm, humid conditions. Although there are hundreds of cockroach species, they all have one goal in common: finding food, water, and shelter. Roaches can invade even the cleanest of homes, making them extremely difficult to get rid of. Roaches are resilient and can find ways in through cracks in foundations, under doors without weather stripping, through open windows, or even catching a ride in on a used piece of furniture, an old appliance, or a shopping bag. Roaches are dangerous to humans as they are known to get into garbage, contaminate food and other surfaces, carry and transmit diseases, and trigger allergies and asthma.
Is there a cockroach season? Are they more prevalent during some seasons of the year versus others? The answer to that depends on geography. States with colder climates will see a decline in roach activity in the winter as many species will either hibernate or die off and then pick back up in spring and summer when the warmer weather returns. In states with warmer climates (like the southern US and southern California), roaches are active year-round.
German cockroaches are not tolerant of the cold and depend on a temperate environment for survival. They will often nest in the walls of homes, apartments, restaurants, and supermarkets. They will also hide behind baseboards, in drawers, in cracks around cabinets, and under sinks, stoves, refrigerators and other appliances. American cockroaches usually stay outdoors although they will come inside to escape both the freezing cold and the extreme heat. Most roaches cannot tolerate temperatures below 50 degrees. Once this colder weather sets in, roaches (like other overwintering pests) can become more common inside your home as they will escape the cold and continue to thrive and reproduce indoors.
Regardless of where you live, a cockroach infestation can wreak havoc on the health of your family and your home. Help prevent cockroaches regardless of the season by:
- Thoroughly cleaning your home weekly.
- Cleaning under the fridge, stove, toaster, oven, and other appliances.
- Empty the trash regularly and seal the lids.
- Don’t leave spills and crumbs.
- Store food in sealed containers.
- Fix leaks immediately.
- Clear out old newspapers and cardboard.
- Clean up yard debris.
- Don’t let shrubs, trees, or wood piles touch your home.
Roaches are resilient and extremely hard to get rid of once they have established themselves in your home. As long as the temperature indoors is above 50 degrees, roaches can remain active year-round, although they are more prevalent in the spring and summer months. If you have a problem with roaches or any other pests, contact your local pest control company who can help identify what type of roach you are dealing with, help eliminate them and keep them from coming back in.
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