Cockroaches are disgusting pests that crawl through filthy places sewers and trash and as if having these disgusting pests scurrying around your home wasn’t bad enough, they can also carry dangerous diseases and even cause allergic reactions; to sum things up, cockroaches are definitely not a pest that you want to have living in your home! American cockroaches are one of the most common types of cockroaches and are typically the most problematic for Denton residents; in order to prevent an American cockroach infestation, it is important that you know how to properly identify this roach as well as what steps you can take to deter these pests from invading your home.
Identifying an American Cockroach
While there are thousands of species of cockroaches, in this blog we will focus on identifying and understanding the American cockroach. American cockroaches like to live in wet environments like sewers and drains, which is why they are often referred to as “water bugs”. They are a reddish-brown color and are often distinguished from other roaches by the yellow banding behind their head. Unlike some species of roaches, American cockroaches are large; in fact, the females can grow to be about 3” long! These roaches like to lay their eggs in moist, well-protected areas, which makes sewers and trash bins ideal places for these pests to live; however, they can also be found living under yard debris, behind rocks, and in damp basements.
American Cockroach Issues
These cockroaches can cause many different problems. Due to the environments they live in, cockroaches are prone to picking up bacteria that can transmit disease like Salmonella, food poisoning, dysentery, and more — as these pests scurry through trash bins full of rotted food, sewer lines, or piles of feces, they pick up viruses, bacteria, and human pathogens on their legs and bodies and they then carry wherever they go. When these pests enter your Denton home, they will scurry across your counters and tables while foraging for food; as they crawl over the surfaces in your home, they spread these harmful pathogens and bacteria that can make you and your family members become very sick.
Additionally, many people are allergic to cockroaches; their bodily fluids like saliva, urine, and feces can trigger both allergic reactions and asthma attacks.
Preventing American Cockroach Infestations
Like with most pests, keeping your home clean and tidy can help reduce the risk of a cockroach infestation — if the cockroaches don’t have a food source or a place to hide and breed inside your home, they will likely move on. Utilizing exclusion techniques can also help keep cockroaches out. One of the most helpful cockroach prevention tips is to make sure your home is in good repair and that any cracks, crevices, or gaps that cockroaches could use to gain access to your home are sealed up.
If you do find yourself dealing with an American cockroach infestation, you will need to enlist the help of a pest control professional immediately. The expert technicians at Adams Exterminating Company provide pest solutions that will both eliminate cockroaches in your Texas home and meet your needs and your budget! Contact us today to learn more about our home pest control options.