Dec 1, 2021 | Pest Control
Your home provides warmth, shelter, and food – three things roaches are in search of this winter season. These pests will easily sneak in and infest your home if there are no preventative measures in place. Check out our top 3 ways to prevent cockroaches from entering your home.
Declutter Your Home
During the day, roaches tend to hide in dark secluded areas until nightfall arrives. By decluttering your home, you eliminate the chance of these pests from hiding out inside and finding items to use for shelter, such as cardboard or newspapers. Instead of using cardboard boxes for storage, switch them out for plastic storage containers. Always recycle and get rid of any old newspapers and unused cardboard boxes.
Seal Up Your Home
If you can see daylight coming through the outside of a door or window, chances are that cockroaches can get in. Roaches can fit into the smallest cracks or crevices leading inside the home. It’s important to inspect the exterior of your home frequently, always looking along the foundation, roof, attic, or crawlspace vents. If a smaller gap or hole is found, seal them using caulk. For larger holes, use steel wool or foam and for chimneys and attic vents use fine wire mesh.
Dry Out Your Home
Moisture will always attract roaches since they need water to survive. It’s important to check your home for leaking faucets, sinks, pipes, and even your refrigerators and appliances. If you notice a leak, make sure you get it fixed immediately.
While prevention can help keep these pests away, sometimes it’s best to call a professional. A pest control company will be able to thoroughly inspect your home, identify the type of cockroach you have, and provide you with the best treatment and prevention plan moving forward.
Nov 9, 2021 | Pest Control
German roaches are one of the most common household pests and also one of the most difficult to get rid of. It is important to understand how to identify these cockroaches live and what they are attracted to in order to understand how to get rid of them.
These roaches are light brown to tan in color with 2 black horizontal stripes behind their heads. They are smaller in size (adults usually grow to about 1/2″ in length) and although they have wings, they rarely fly and prefer to run instead. They are most often found indoors, preferring warm humid environments like the ones found in your kitchen or bathroom. They will eat almost anything but prefer crumbs, spills, pet food, book bindings, soap, and toothpaste. German cockroaches are often brought into your home on dry goods, such as bags, boxes, cardboard, used appliances, and furniture.
German roaches are dangerous to humans because they can spread bacteria and contaminate surfaces with salmonella and E. coli. Their feces, cast skins, and saliva can cause allergic reactions which can subsequently trigger asthma.
Common signs of German cockroaches include droppings which are small and black and look like pepper, commonly found in drawers and cabinets and on the tops of doors; egg cases left behind by females; and a mild, musty odor that gets stronger as their populations grow.
These pests are nocturnal and usually only scavenge at night, making it difficult to know you have a cockroach infestation until it is already established. Once inside, German roaches can reproduce quickly, making them very difficult to eradicate. Each female is capable of producing 4 to 6 egg cases per life cycle and can live anywhere from 100 to 200 days.
Because they can be so hard to get rid of, the best way to eliminate German roaches is to prevent them in the first place. Here are some German roach prevention tips you can use in your home.
- Empty your trashcans often and keep them clean.
- Clean up crumbs from counters and floors daily, including spilled pet food.
- Sweep daily.
- Vacuum frequently.
- Make sure food is not left in sink strainers.
- Run the garbage disposal frequently.
- Keep food (including pet food) sealed in airtight containers.
- Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight.
- Keep appliances clean of food and grease.
- Clean out clutter in your garage and attic, especially cardboard.
- Use plastic storage boxes rather than cardboard when possible.
- Seal entrances around utility pipes.
- Ventilate crawlspaces to prevent moisture.
- Store soap out of reach.
- Don’t leave pet food out in bowls overnight.
- Dry all sinks, tubs, and showers before bed each night.
- Use a dehumidifier in your home.
If you have a problem with roaches or any other pests, contact your local pest control company to properly identify the type of pest you are dealing with and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan going forward.
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Oct 20, 2021 | Pest Control
When a cockroach is seen inside your house, the first reaction is to figure out how to get it out; and the second is how to prevent it from coming back inside in the future! Understanding the difference between and identifying common roach species can help ensure proper treatment and prevention for your home, keeping your family and property safe and healthy. Here we break down the three most common roaches that could be infesting your home.
American Cockroaches
The American cockroach is the largest species in the U.S. These pests are reddish-brown with a shield-like structure that covers their head. Both males and females have wings and can fly short distances. They are also considered the fastest running insects, as they will quickly scamper out of sight when someone enters the room! While these roaches prefer warmer temperatures, they can survive the cold, often looking indoors for warmth. Common places American cockroaches are found are in basements, woodpiles, attics, and crawlspaces.
German Cockroaches
A very recognizable cockroach, the German cockroach is tan with dark brown parallel stripes on the back of its upper thorax. Smaller than the American roach, German roaches measure about ½” to 5/8”. They produce more eggs than any other roach species. While they do have wings, they rarely fly and prefer to run instead. German cockroaches prefer warmer environments, such as bathrooms or basements, but typically can be found in areas where people eat, such as the kitchen.
Smokybrown Cockroaches
Smokybrown cockroaches are dark cherry or red with a long body length of around 1.5 inches. These roaches prefer areas of humidity and will shelter in neighborhoods with mature hardwood trees to protect them from the winds. Usually active at night, these cockroaches can be found in warm habitats such as tree holes, under mulch, and in sheds.
To avoid any type of cockroach, every homeowner should take preventative measures to keep them out of your home. Some roach prevention tips include:
- Avoiding clutter in basements and attics
- Cleaning up any spills or leftover food crumbs
- Fixing any leaks to eliminate moisture
- Sealing all cracks and crevices throughout the home’s interior and exterior
If you have an issue with roaches, call your local pest control provider who can help properly identify the type of roach(es), locate points of entry, place preventative measures, and effectively eliminate them.
Oct 20, 2021 | Commercial
We know your business, customers, and team are at the top of your mind; so when you spot a pest problem, you will likely ask two questions: How can you get rid of them, and where did they come from? Every business owner must be aware of what is attracting and drawing pests inside. Here we break down certain factors that could make your business vulnerable to pest invasions and some commercial pest control tips you can utilize.
Garbage & Trash
Pests need a food source to survive and trash is the perfect way for them to get it! Common pests like rodents and roaches will often seek these areas. It’s extremely important to empty the trash multiple times a day, along with keeping your business’s dumpster cleaned and maintained throughout the week. Place your trash receptacles and dumpster far away from your business building. Always make sure that the container lids are tightly sealed and always kept closed.
Irregular Cleaning
A clean business is not only appealing to customers but will also help to avoid a pest infestation. Throughout each week, regularly sweep and vacuum up food crumbs and debris from the dining areas, kitchens, break rooms, and entryways. Make sure to pay attention to areas behind furniture and appliances, as well.
Deliveries & Shipments
Packages, boxes, and containers will often host hitchhiking pests! Pests like roaches or spiders will latch onto these deliveries and easily make their way inside your business. If you can, dedicate a space inside, away from your customers, to inspect these deliveries. Some great ways to tell if there is a pest infestation, besides seeing the actual pest, is noticing any rips, tears, or holes, or seeing droppings. If you notice any of these signs of pests, take the packages outside immediately and make sure to discard the boxes away from your business.
Oct 5, 2021 | Pest Control
Cockroaches are one of the most common household pests that homeowners have to deal with. These pests are resilient and are known to survive under the harshest conditions. So why do these pests seem so hard to get rid of? What are the best methods to eliminate them from making their way inside your home?
Cockroaches are built to be almost indestructible. Roaches have exoskeletons made up of overlapping plates connected by a stretchy membrane. This membrane is so flexible that it can allow them to fit through small cracks and crevices. Along with their stretchy membrane, they also have a thick outer layer that can protect them and shift when needed.
Since roaches can use their bodies to fit through small areas, they are great at surviving in harsh conditions. Cockroaches will find shelter to avoid harsh temperatures and other predatory pests that threaten them.
While cockroaches are durably built and sneaky, it doesn’t mean that they are impossible to keep from getting inside your home. Consider utilizing these roach prevention tips:
- Seal all cracks and crevices around the exterior of your home.
- Close any open gaps under windows and doors.
- Take out the garbage daily and store the trashcans away from the home.
- Clean up any clutter in rooms and areas that are less utilized, such as attics, garages, storage rooms, and closets.
- Call a professional pest control company. They will inspect, provide treatment, and implement a prevention plan to help avoid and eliminate these pests.
