Jun 26, 2019 | Pest Control
Cockroaches carry many diseases and can cause several health issues in humans including food poisoning and can trigger allergies and asthma attacks. So where do roaches come from?
If you have a roach infestation in your home, there could be several reasons why. Roaches may have already been in your home before you moved in. Roaches are also very good hitchhikers and are easily transported from one place to another. They can get into your home in grocery bags, cardboard boxes, luggage, furniture, or appliances. They can also get in through the plumbing, sewers or drains. They can travel over from your neighbor’s home into yours, too.
But what attracts cockroaches if your house is clean? Like most pests, roaches are looking for three main things: food, shelter, and water. They are year-round pests and are incredibly resilient – making them difficult to control. Different species of cockroaches are attracted to and thrive in different environments.
German cockroaches are the most common indoor roaches. They prefer dark, warm, humid places near food and water, preferably in a temperature range of 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. You can usually find German roaches in kitchens, in cracks and crevices of cabinets, near sinks or appliances, and in food prep and storage areas. They can also be found in bathrooms when the roach infestation is heavy. Early detection and control of german roaches is extremely important as they can be very hard to get rid of.
Oriental roaches prefer dark, damp, cool habitats. Outdoors you can usually find them where there is an abundant supply of organic matter like mulch or wood chips, under patio bricks, or between the soil and your foundation. Once inside your home, they are often found in drains, basements, and crawlspaces. They can also be found near leaky water pipes, under sinks, refrigerators, floors, and washing machines.
Brown-banded roaches prefer warmer, drier places (greater than 80 degrees Fahrenheit). They live in higher areas, usually at eye level or above, like your cabinets, pantries, closet shelves, behind pictures, in books, or under kitchen tables and chairs. They can also be found in warm areas such as near clocks, timers, TVs, and refrigerator motors.
American cockroaches are found in homes, restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores – anywhere food is prepped and stored. They prefer warm, moist environments and can often be found in boiler rooms, basements, around pipes and water heaters, and in drains and sewers.
Here are some tips to prevent roaches from infesting your home:
Food
Clean up spilled crumbs and food immediately. Don’t leave dirty dishes out overnight. Throw away any food that is left out on the counter. Wipe down the surface of all food prep areas every night. Clean under your appliances and wipe down any that are on your counter. Make sure to clean underneath the refrigerator and stove, also. Rinse out milk jugs, juice cartons, and cans before throwing them away. Empty your garbage can every night and use garbage cans with tight fitting lids. Check kitchen drawers for any food debris and crumbs. Store food in airtight containers. Store pet food in airtight containers and elevate them off the floor. Don’t leave your pet’s food and water bowls out overnight. Roaches communicate through chemical pheromones they secrete as they move. Cardboard and paper are excellent absorbers of these pheromones. Replace cardboard boxes with plastic containers if possible. Don’t bring any cardboard boxes used for storage inside the home. Don’t store piles of newspapers – recycle them instead.
Shelter
Carefully inspect the interior and exterior of your home. Seal any gaps or crevices you find, even the smallest ones. Roaches can squeeze through the tiniest openings to get into your home. Use weatherstripping around all entryways including doors and windows. Declutter as much as possible. Roaches can also get into your home through drainpipes. Use stoppers or metal baskets on all the drains in your sink and shower and make sure to keep your drains clean. Roaches will also hitch rides on firewood. Make sure to only bring in enough wood for one fire and don’t store any extra wood inside.
Water
Most species of roaches prefer moist areas so eliminating water is key to helping prevent them. Remove any standing water in and around your home. Check for leaks and repair them promptly. Use caulk to seal gaps around your sink and tubs to keep water out of the walls. Don’t let water stand for long periods of time in plants and flowerbeds. Don’t leave your pet’s water bowls out overnight. Hang any wet towels and mats up to dry after using them. Keep your kitchen sponges dry and don’t store them on the counter.
Call The Professionals
Roaches can be incredibly difficult to control and eliminate. If you have a roach problem, contact a professional pest control company or schedule a free pest inspection now. A pest control technician can thoroughly inspect your home to identify not only where and how roaches are getting into your home, but also the specific type of roaches to better treat and eliminate them.
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Aug 9, 2018 | Pest Control
Any type of pest infestation is cause for a headache and panic, but no infestation is more difficult and stress-inducing than that of a German cockroach. They amass inside homes in large numbers, making them difficult to contain.
There are plenty of questions homeowners have when dealing with a possible invasion: “How do I know if this is a German roach?”; “Why are they in my home?”; and “What can I do to get rid of them?” Let’s take a moment to answer these questions.
How do I know if this is a German roach?
Adult German Cockroach Nymph German Cockroach
German cockroaches are among the smaller of the cockroach species, measuring anywhere between ½” – 5/8” in length. Oval-shaped and light brownish, almost tan, German cockroaches have two identifying, almost parallel, dark lines that run down their back just behind their head.
Why are they in my home?
German cockroaches are very good at hitchhiking and can make their way in to your home by way of grocery bags and cardboard boxes. They prefer dark, warm places where they can hide. While they can be found anywhere in a home, they are primarily found in bathrooms and kitchens.
What can I do to prevent or get rid of them?
Practicing good sanitation is the best prevention to a German roach infestation. Vacuuming often and looking throughout the home for possible entry points to seal are great preventative measures. A properly ventilated crawl space will help prevent the moisture that German roaches seek out. As always, if you suspect you have a German roach problem, contact your licensed pest professional to set up an inspection as soon as possible.
Nov 1, 2013 | Uncategorized
10 Fascinating Facts about Cockroaches
It’s no secret that cockroaches are thought to be one of the most disgusting pests. They are known to carry up to 33 different kinds of bacteria that they spread around and contaminate food and surfaces. Roaches are also responsible for causing allergies and triggering asthma attacks, especially in children. Studies say that up to 5 million children are sensitive to cockroaches.
Behind the undesirable cockroach are many unique features. Here are 10 Fascinating Facts about Cockroaches:
- There are 5,000 species of cockroaches in the world.
- It is believed roaches originated more than 280 million years ago.
- Allergies and asthma can be brought on by breathing in pieces of broken down cockroaches.
- Germans call the German cockroach the Prussian cockroach.
- The American cockroach likes alcoholic drinks, especially beer.
- Cockroaches can run up to 3 mph.
- A roach can live 1 week without it’s head. It only dies because it can’t eat without it’s mouth.
- According to historical accounts, roaches have been used as medicines by grinding up and boiling them.
- Cockroaches like glue.
- Some females mate only once and remain pregnant for the rest of their lives.
For more fascinating facts on cockroaches visit our sources at NPMA and Hubpages.
Jan 2, 2013 | Uncategorized
The German cockroach is the most common cockroach found in structures. They can invade your home at anytime of the year and once they do, they can increase in population very quickly. A cockroach can produce 30-48 eggs at a time and those eggs can go on to reproduce in 30-45 days.
At first, German cockroaches will find food, water, and warmth in the home which is usually found in the kitchen and bathroom. But once an infestation occurs they can be found anywhere in the structure and can be difficult to get under control.
Cockroaches can bring about many health and safety concerns. When they invade your home they leave fecal matter and other debris on food and food preparation surfaces. Roaches are also known to cause allergies in children. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences reports “one-in-five children in the United States have severe sensitivities to cockroach allergens, which increase the severity of asthma symptoms.”
If you have a roach infestation call a professional pest control company immediately. The quicker you can get the infestation under control, the better for the health of your home and your peace of mind. Call Northwest Exterminating to get rid of roaches in your home or business.
Oct 22, 2012 | Pest Control
The German cockroach is the most common species of cockroach and can be found all around the world. They are most often found in kitchens and bathrooms due to their preference for warm, humid places that are near food and water sources. But you won’t always see them out in the open because they like to live in the cracks and crevices around homes and commercial buildings. In fact, they spend 75% of their time in the cracks and crevices.
Environment of German cockroaches:
- Cosmopolitan in distribution and will live anywhere humans build heated structures
- Usually found in kitchens in secluded areas
- Behind and under appliances
- In cracks and crevices behind backsplashes
- At counter edges
- Behind and under cabinets
- In void areas around plumbing
- Backs of drawer wells
- Will infest warm areas around appliance motors such as refrigerators and dishwashers
Not only are German cockroaches a nuisance pest but they are also a health risk. Studies have shown that German cockroaches have been linked to illness and allergic reaction in humans, especially children. They can spread at least 33 kinds of bacteria, six parasitic worms, and at least seven other kinds of human pathogens. They pick up germs while crawling around and transfer them as they crawl on our food and surfaces. They spread allergens as they crawl, and deposit droppings, secretions, cast skins, and dead bodies.
Health threats of German cockroaches:
- Will invade your home and leave fecal matter and other debris in and around food and food preparation areas
- Can enter homes when boxes or products are shipped moved from one location to another
- Reproduces at a high rate, completing a life cycle in 30 to 45 days
- Produces 30-48 eggs at a time
- Can generate 3 to 4 egg cases in a lifetime
- Difficult to eradicate because they can infest so many areas and can be very difficult to contact with an insecticide
Contact a professional pest control company if you think German cockroaches have taken up residence in your home. Trained personnel know where to look for harborage sites and what products to apply to achieve fast and effective results. It is much easier to eliminate a German cockroach problem when it is newly established and small, rather than when the population has time to build.
