What are cockroaches?
Cockroaches are an ancient species of insect. Their desire to survive, prolific breeding habits, and ability to live almost anywhere are why these pests are so challenging to control and eliminate.
A common household pest, cockroaches can find their way into any of our homes. In Sacramento, there are five species of cockroaches that we need to guard our properties against:
- American cockroaches
- Brown-banded cockroaches
- German cockroaches
- Oriental cockroaches
- Smokey brown cockroaches
Common characteristics of cockroaches include having a flat oval body, six spine-covered legs, and a long antennae. Cockroaches have wings, but not all species are capable of flying. Each cockroach species will vary slightly in appearance, behavior, and preferred habitats; therefore, correctly identifying the species that has found its way to your property is essential. Professionals are the best resource for accurately identifying and treating a cockroach infestation.
Are cockroaches dangerous?
Cockroaches are scavengers and spend their lives in decaying organic debris. Their unsanitary living conditions mean they are in constant contact with bacteria, parasites, and human pathogens.
When cockroaches find their way into your home, they will track in bacteria and diseases that can make you and your family ill. Cockroaches can contaminate food, surfaces, dishes, utensils, and anything else they crawl over. Diseases cockroaches carry include dysentery, gastroenteritis, giardia, and salmonellosis.
Additionally, when cockroaches live in your home, their shed skins and excrement emit large amounts of allergens into the air- triggering allergies and asthma attacks.
Why do I have a cockroach problem?
There are two main ways that cockroaches become a problem in our Sacramento homes. Cockroaches are excellent hitchhikers and will move from structure to structure inside things like secondhand items (appliances and furniture), potted plants, and deliveries. These unwanted houseguests can also find their way indoors on their own, moving inside through cracks in the foundation, vents, drains, or spaces around utilities. Moisture and food odors are the biggest attractants and are what typically attract cockroaches to our homes.
Where will I find cockroaches?
Where exactly cockroaches prefer to live depends on their species. In most cases, cockroaches like to live in warm, dark, damp places. Outside, cockroaches gather behind tree bark, under mulch or woodpiles, in garbage, and near sewers or drains. In our homes, they hang out in naturally warm and humid areas like kitchens, bathrooms, wall voids near pipes, and utility rooms.
Cockroaches are nocturnal, which means that during the day, they hide out of sight in dark cracks and crevices. Being nocturnal means an infestation can initially go unnoticed, allowing cockroaches to build their populations. Know that if you spot cockroaches out during the day, there is likely a large infestation present. Cockroaches usually only become active in the daytime when they need to compete for food sources or their nests are overcrowded.
How do I get rid of cockroaches?
Investing in professional home pest control is the best way to get rid of cockroaches and other household pests and ensure they won’t return. Here at Explorer Pest Management, we offer ongoing residential pest control services that are customizable to meet the needs of each of our customers. Our licensed professionals work closely with our customers to meet their pest control expectations. Please call today to learn more about our effective cockroach control services and other pest management offerings.
How can I prevent cockroaches in the future?
Use our easy-to-follow list of tips to keep cockroaches from feeling welcome inside your home.
- If you own pets, ensure their food is stored in canisters with locking lids.
- Eliminate stacks of paper or cardboard from your home that cockroaches like to gather under.
- Make sure your home is adequately ventilated to help control moisture levels.
- Avoid leaving leftover food or dirty dishes out overnight.
- Regularly vacuum to remove crumbs that can get kicked around our homes and provide reliable food sources for cockroaches.
The best tip we have to avoid problems with cockroaches is to partner with Explorer Pest Management and invest in ongoing pest control services in Sacramento.
