If you’ve ever had flying cockroaches in your home, you know how desperate you become for pest control. Unfortunately, American cockroaches, some of the most common home and business invading cockroaches in the United States, can fly. It may seem demoralizing if you’re finding cockroaches indoors, but keep in mind that cockroaches are built for survival.
Even if you have a well-maintained living environment, cockroaches can find a way to survive, sometimes living up to a month without food. Keep reading for more about American cockroaches, how to keep cockroaches away, and what to do if you find a cockroach in your house.
What Do American Cockroaches Look Like?
The American cockroach is one of the larger species in the US, sometimes reaching over 2 inches in length. They are usually reddish-brown with a yellow figure-eight pattern behind their heads. Cockroaches, in large enough numbers, leave plenty of signs as to their presence. From dark egg sacks to exoskeletons to blunt-edged feces.
If you see flying cockroaches in your home, it may be an American cockroach. While they are not very good at flying, these insects will often glide from high places. As carriers of over 30 different kinds of bacteria, 7 parasitic worms, and several pathogens transmittable to humans, cockroaches are one of the dirtiest pests to come into homes. They often travel through sewers and under decaying matter on their way to your kitchen. For some, the presence of cockroaches can not only spread diseases but also worsen allergies and asthma.
What Attracts Cockroaches?
To learn how to keep cockroaches away, you must first learn the conditions that attract them. Most cockroaches are attracted to high-moisture areas in close proximity to food. Some, like the American cockroach, prefer warm environments between 70 and 80 degrees. These conditions make kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, and basements likely targets for cockroaches.
With that being said, there are a few prevention techniques that can make your home a less likely target for cockroaches:
- Control any source of excess moisture inside and out of your home.
- Keep mulch, debris, and woodpiles away from the home.
- Trim your yard and position flower pots away from windows and foundation.
- Seal holes and cracks around the home’s exterior with silicone-based caulk.
- Make sure doors and windows properly seal and have hole-free screens.
- Store outdoor trash in a covered container away from the home.
- Don’t leave dishes in the sink, sanitize surfaces, and vacuum regularly.
Though these methods can keep your home relatively pest-free, cockroaches are resilient pests that can survive on as little as toothpaste and book bindings. If you find a cockroach in your house, then you need to assume you have an infestation and call the professionals right away.
How To Get Rid Of American Cockroaches: Pro Active Pest Control
Cockroaches are not easy to get rid of, not only because they exist in large numbers but because they are resistant to pesticides and starvation, can live for a week without water, and can survive forty-five minutes without oxygen. Rather than relying on ineffective over-the-counter pest control methods, you can trust Pro Active Pest Control for cockroach pest control in Elk Grove. Our safe, environmentally friendly methods can give you a 100% satisfaction guarantee that you won’t damage the environment or jeopardize your health. For cockroach pest control in Elk Grove, call Pro Active Pest Control today.