Cockroaches have established themselves just about everywhere on Earth, and here in Mesa, AZ we’re no exception. In fact, roaches are one of the most common and persistent pests Mesa home and business owners have to deal with. Roaches are attracted to just about everything about humans, from our food to our trash to our running water and even our sewage. That means keeping them at bay can often seem nearly impossible. Fortunately, there are some measures you can take to ensure these disease-ridden pests go spread their germs somewhere else.
Common Area Roaches
While there are over 4,500 cockroach species around the world, we have just a handful of species in our area. Just three of these species cause the majority of problems for residents:
- American Cockroaches: These large, dark brown roaches are often called palmetto bugs, but don’t let that sugarcoated moniker fool you. A roach by any other name is still a roach. American cockroaches are the largest of the roach species in our area, sometimes clocking in at almost two inches in length.
- Oriental Cockroaches: This fat, black roach is sometimes mistaken for a beetle because of its sectional, hard-looking body. These are one of the grossest roaches in our area because they can’t seem to stay out of the garbage dump or the sewage plant.
- German Cockroaches: These small yellowish, tan, or light brown roaches are perhaps the worst roach to get in your home or business because of their prolific breeding habits. For every German cockroach, that you see, there are probably 50 you don’t see. This makes German cockroaches a particularly difficult species to exterminate.
Cockroach Fast Facts
Though cockroaches are disgusting vermin that you don’t want in your home, they’re still interesting creatures that have a place in the ecosystem. One of the most fascinating things about roaches is their legendary toughness. They can survive much higher levels of nuclear fallout than humans. They can also go up to 40 minutes without air, a month without food, and a week without their heads! No wonder these tough bugs have been around for up to 280 million years.
Cockroach Prevention
No matter how interesting they are, you still don’t want these disgusting pests in your home. Roaches hang out in truly horrifying places, spread dozens of diseases, and contaminate virtually everything they touch. They’re also almost impossible to get rid of once they’re established in your home, both because they breed so prolifically and because their toughness extends to a lot of common household pesticides. Roaches are virtually immune to many over-the-counter chemical treatments. That means prevention is vital. You can keep roaches out by taking measures like:
- Keep all trash cans covered with well-fitting kids
- Store foods either in the fridge or in airtight, hard plastic containers
- Don’t leave pet foods, pet bowls, or dirty dishes sitting out
- Inspect your home’s exterior and seal up potential entry points
- Fix moisture problems like plumbing leaks and clogged drainage
- Use dehumidifiers to dry out moist areas like crawlspaces and cellars
- Clean and declutter frequently to reduce crumbs and potential hiding spots
- Seek professional assistance
Here at Pro Active Pest Control, we think the best approach to beat roach infestations is to be proactive! Our trained and licensed technicians will take a holistic approach to deal with your infestation, focusing not just on initial treatment but also on prevention measures and recurring treatments so your roach problem is eliminated and stays that way. So give us a call at (888) 335-4008 or visit our contact page to schedule your service today!