Fall is in the air, giving us a much-needed break from the hot temperatures of summer. But this is the time of year when cockroaches tend to break into homes and other buildings as the weather cools down. Typically, you will find American, German, and Oriental cockroaches invading homes and businesses across North Texas.
American cockroaches are the largest cockroaches in the United States. They prefer to live outdoors in piles of wood, decaying logs, and dead trees. They are capable of handling extremely cold temperatures below-freezing, for short periods of time. However, they prefer temperatures around 70°F. The warmth of your home throughout the fall and winter months will suffice. A small infestation of American cockroaches can explode rapidly into a huge problem. The female cockroach can produce 16 eggs every six days. And if a large population of creepy insects isn't’ bad enough, they also can carry pathogens, which they can leave on your sinks, counters and other surfaces, which can make you and your family sick.
German cockroaches prefer temperatures a little warmer than American cockroaches and will set up camp inside cracks and crevices inside your home all year long. They are also prolific reproducers. German cockroach egg sacs can hold up to 40 eggs at a time. If you see a few of these in your home, you probably have many more hidden away. These cockroaches are dangerous as their presence can lead to dysentery, diarrhea, and food poisoning.
Oriental cockroaches prefer warm, dark, moist areas located inside crawl spaces and wall voids. They won’t hesitate to climb through sewers, garbage, rotting organic debris, and storm drains. They are dangerous because they can easily go from unsanitary places to areas in your kitchen or pantry, carrying bacteria and parasites that can cause disease.
All cockroaches want is warmth, moisture, food, and shelter. In order to make your home less attractive to them you can follow these basic tips:
- Keep moisture at bay by fixing leaky or dripping pipes and faucets
- Use dehumidifiers in damp rooms
- Clean up food and drink spills immediately
- Do not leave a sink full of water
- Sweep and vacuum on a regular basis
- Take out the trash regularly
- Seal off all entry points in your foundation and exterior walls
- Remove junk, wood, and debris piles from your yard
These tips can help prevent some cockroaches from inhabiting your home, but the best solution to a cockroach infestation is to contact the professionals at Adams Exterminating Company in Lewisville, Texas. Our highly-trained technicians can remove all of the roaches in your home and help you to prevent cockroach problems in the future. Give us a call today to learn more about our residential pest control options.