Aug 25, 2023 | Pest Control
Roaches are common household pests that are highly resilient and difficult to eliminate. They reproduce quickly, making them hard to keep under control once an infestation has been established. Cockroaches will infest anywhere they can find an available supply of food, water, and shelter. They are commonly found in areas near food and moisture (kitchens and bathrooms). They are also prevalent in multiunit housing (apartments, condos, etc.). Once established in your home, roaches can cause serious health risks for you and your family. Here are some of the reasons roaches are dangerous to your health.
Carriers of Diseases
Roaches are known to carry at least 30 different types of bacteria including typhoid fever, cholera, dysentery, and poliomyelitis. They spread these diseases to humans by contaminating food and surfaces in our home. We can also inhale bacteria from the air near a cockroach infestation.
Allergy and Asthma Triggers
The allergens roaches carry can trigger asthma in those who are already afflicted with it. They are also known to cause asthma in those who didn’t previously have it. The incidence of allergic reactions can increase when roaches are present in the home. They are triggered by cockroach debris, including discarded shells, saliva, body parts, and feces. Their saliva is also known to cause skin rashes and sneezing.
Surface Contamination
Roaches can be found scavenging through the trash, dumpsters, on spoiled food, and even feces. They pick up contaminants from these surfaces as they crawl through them which stick to their legs and bodies and are then left behind as they crawl across our food and clean surfaces. When we eat food or touch surfaces that have been contaminated by roaches, it can cause sickness for us, as well.
Cockroach Prevention
Making your home less inviting to roaches is the first step in preventing them. Here are some cockroach prevention tips you can utilize in your home.
- Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink.
- Take the trash out when the can is full.
- Clean toilets, tubs, and sinks regularly.
- Clean countertops with a cleaning solution.
- Keep floors swept, mopped, and vacuumed.
- Clean up pet feces from your yard.
- Keep food sealed tight.
- Throw out old or rotted food into an outdoor trashcan.
- Wipe off stovetops, tables, and counters after meals and food prep.
- Clean up spills immediately.
- Fix leaky pipes, faucets, toilets, and roofs.
- Use bathroom fans when bathing or showering to help reduce humidity.
- Remove any cardboard, newspapers, boxes, or other clutter.
- Caulk cracks and crevices throughout your home.
If you have a problem with roaches or other household pests, contact your local pest control company for an inspection.
Mar 9, 2023 | Pest Control
Laurens Pest Control: Eliminating Cockroaches
A lot of homeowners believe that a tidy home will keep cockroaches away, but that’s not always the case. Cockroaches can find themselves in the tidiest of homes and it’s due to the availability of food, water, and shelter. The sight of even just one roach in your home should raise some alarms. These pests can multiply quickly and seeing just one typically means more are hiding nearby.
The main reason you should be wary about cockroaches in your home is that they can carry bacteria on their bodies and feet. They tend to walk across various surfaces and can pick up many unwanted germs. They are also known to bring on allergic reactions and asthmas attacks.
Signs of Cockroaches:
- Dead cockroach bodies
- Small, brown, oval-shaped eggs or eggshells
- Dark, powdery droppings that resemble coffee grounds
- Musty odor
If you begin noticing these signs of roaches, then it might be time to call your local pest control company. In the meantime, here are some simple cockroach prevention tips that will help lessen the chances of a roach infestation:
- Clean thoroughly. After each meal, clean the dishes and put them away. Get rid of the crumbs and mop up the spills right away. Throw all trash away in a bin with a lid.
- Declutter: Keep rooms decluttered and maintain a regular dusting schedule. When storing items, use plastic bins instead of cardboard, which is a major attractant for roaches.
- Eliminate Moisture. Roaches thrive in moist areas and need water to survive, like most pests. Regularly check for any leaks or standing water in or around your home.
- Call the Professionals. If you have done everything you possibly can but are still experiencing roaches, give your local pest control company a call today. An experienced technician will be able to determine the best plan perfect for you and your home.
Feb 8, 2023 | Florida Pest Control
South Florida Pest Control: Cockroaches
Spotting a roach inside your home is always alarming! These creatures are known to be resilient and adaptable, surviving in the harshest temperatures and conditions. While we don’t often see temperatures drop too much, we still experience colder weather in Golden Gate, Florida. Your home can provide a warm environment for roaches, food sources, and moisture for survival. We break down three easy preventative measures you can place to avoid a roach infestation below.
Avoid Leaving Dirty Dishes
The kitchen is a paradise for roaches! These pests will often utilize your dish rack, sink, trash can, and countertops to find a food source. Often, what attracts them to this area are the items left overnight. Leaving dirty dishes and food scraps will attract these pests to various kitchen areas. When dirty dishes are left out, it’s an invitation for roaches to go into the sink, roam on the countertops, and eat food not properly stored. This can all lead to contamination and pose a health threat to your family. Wash your dishes and put them away after each meal. Likewise, check underneath your dining table and cooking area for leftover food crumbs and spills, and clean them up as soon as possible.
Properly Store Food
Cockroaches will go to great lengths to find food, often raiding your pantries and cabinets if they have a chance. Once they’ve gained access and food is available, they’ll eat and contaminate it. It’s important to properly seal all the food in your home to prevent them from accessing it. Look to store grains, cereals, and sweets in plastic or glass containers with a tightly sealed lid. If you have bags of chips and other snacks, secure them with a chip clip or utilize plastic bags for the leftovers.
Seal Window, Doors, & Entry Points
Roaches can fit into the smallest hole or opening to get inside a home. A great way to spot any opening from inside is by seeing daylight around a door or window. Don’t forget to inspect the outside of your home for any entry points roaches could enter through, such as the foundation, roof, attic, and crawlspace. If you spot these openings, seal them with caulk, steel wool, or foam, depending on the size of the gap or hole.
If you’ve placed DIY roach preventative measures and you’re still dealing with these pests, it could be time to call in some extra help. Consider contacting your local South Florida pest control company to provide you with a thorough inspection of your home. These professionals will be able to recommend prevention and treatment options customized to your home.
Dec 26, 2022 | Pest Control
Cockroaches have a negative connotation in the minds of the general public, but this is not always the case. Cockroaches are attracted to a tidy home because of the availability of food, water, and shelter. Although the sight of even a single cockroach in your home is likely to cause some level of alarm, it is unlikely that this lone insect is indicative of a widespread problem. Roaches are social pests that can quickly multiply. It’s likely that if you see one, there are others hiding in the shadows or in some crevices, and the situation could quickly escalate into a full-blown infestation.
Humans should avoid coming into contact with cockroaches because the bacteria they carry on their bodies and feet can spread to any surface they walk across. They also have the potential to bring on allergic reactions and asthma attacks. A cockroach infestation might exist even if you don’t spot any of the insects yourself. Signs of cockroaches include dead bodies, small, brown, oval-shaped eggs or eggshells, dark, powdery droppings that resemble ground coffee, and a persistent musty odor.
Preventative measures are the most effective means of cockroach control. Cockroach prevention can be accomplished by:
Cleaning Thoroughly
The crumbs and dirt that humans leave behind are a magnet for roaches. After each meal, clean the dishes and put them away. Get rid of the crumbs and mop up the spills right away. Get rid of the trash every night. Remove all grease from cooking surfaces. Put perishables in containers that can’t be opened easily. Make regular use of a broom, mop, and vacuum. Do not leave pet supplies out overnight.
Declutter
Remove potential hiding spots for roaches by clearing away any clutter. Keep rooms decluttered, especially those that aren’t used frequently, and maintain a regular dusting schedule. Skip the cardboard boxes and opt instead for plastic containers with secure lids. Roaches thrive in cardboard and newspaper, so get rid of it.
Seal Them Out
Roaches can enter homes through crevices and under doors. By locating these entry points and sealing them, you can prevent cockroaches and other pests from entering your home. The areas around the windows and doors, the foundation and the roof, the attic and the crawlspace vents, and the openings for the utility and plumbing lines should all be thoroughly inspected. Caulk can be used to fill in tiny cracks and holes. Use steel wool and foam to seal larger holes, especially those near pipes. It is possible to use fine mesh wire to create a seal around roof vents and chimneys.
Eliminate Moisture
Moisture is essential for the survival of roaches and most other pests. For this reason, roaches can be lured into your home by the presence of standing water or an abundance of moisture. Make it a habit to routinely check for leaks in the plumbing system and to fix any you find. Inspect for leaks and excess moisture around the faucets, sinks, refrigerator, and other appliances in the home. Extra moisture in homes often originates in the crawl space. If you’re worried about moisture under your house, an enclosed crawlspace may be the answer.
Call The Professionals
It can be very challenging to get rid of a cockroach infestation. In the fight against roaches, prevention can only go so far. Get in touch with a professional pest control company if you think you have an infestation so they can help you figure out what kind of roaches you have, where they are getting in, and what they are eating, and then create a customized plan for cockroach control and elimination in the future.
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Oct 28, 2022 | Pest Control
Roaches are one of the most common household pests. These pests are resilient, adapting to just about any environment. When you spot one cockroach, there are usually several more hidden out of sight. Cockroaches carry diseases, contaminate surfaces they come into contact with, and can trigger allergies and asthma. They are extremely difficult to get rid of once an infestation is established, both due to their resiliency and their ability to reproduce quickly and often. So what do you do if you see roaches in your home?
The first step is to identify what type of roach you are dealing with. Some of the most common cockroaches found in homes in the United States are American roaches, German roaches, and Oriental roaches. The type of roach you have and the size of the infestation are both determining factors in the course of treatment.
The second step is to contact the professionals. Because roaches are so difficult to get rid of, the services of a professional pest control company are beneficial. A technician will come out and give your home a thorough inspection to help determine the type and size of the infestation to set up a custom treatment plan that targets only the intended pests. They will also set you up with ongoing pest control in the future.
The final step is ongoing prevention to keep the roaches from coming back. Cockroaches come into your home in search of food and water. They usually thrive in warm, moist environments. Help keep them out by:
- Repairing leaky faucets
- Sealing pipes
- Wiping down countertops and appliances
- Storing food in containers
- Emptying garbage
- Sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming regularly
- Carefully inspecting boxes, bags, appliances, and furniture before bringing it indoors
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