The Key To Keeping Roaches Out Of Your Home Year-Round

Cockroaches scale walls, run across ceilings, and disappear into gaps that are less than half their height. How on earth do you keep them out of your home?! It isn't easy. They are versatile insects and highly mobile. Some cockroaches even have the ability to fly on a hot summer day. It's hard to keep them out of Collin County homes. The key is to understand what attracts cockroaches to your home, how they get in, and what works to manage them. Join us today as we look at three steps to detect cockroaches, track them, and alter conditions that lead to infestations. We'll cover all the important bits you need to know and zero in on a few cockroach facts that might surprise you. If you're wondering, "How do I get rid of cockroaches in my home?" skip to the end and find out, or jump to our contact page and reach out for industry-leading cockroach pest control in Collin County. Our service team is happy to help!

Are These Cockroaches In My House?

It is important to determine whether or not you have cockroaches in your home currently. If you're fortunate enough to actually see cockroaches, there are a few physical characteristics that will help you identify it as a roach.

• Cockroaches tend to be a seed shape, though some are more of an oval and others look like a question mark without the dot.
• Most roaches have wings. However, some species of roach (and baby roaches) don't have wings.
• If you see an insect with wings, keep in mind that cockroach wings stack on their backs almost like a shield.
• Roaches have long antennae.
• Cockroaches are insects. That means they have six legs. On these legs are tiny spines.
• You may notice two small appendages on the abdomen of a roach. They're called cerci.

In our area, we have three cockroach species that are most common. Each of these roaches is unique in its appearance, while still sharing the traits above.

• German cockroaches are tan with a black equal sign on the back between the head and wings.
• American cockroaches are chestnut colored with a yellow marking on the back between the head and thorax that looks a little like a figure eight.
• Oriental cockroaches are entirely black and have an armored appearance. The armored appearance is due to shortened wings. Males have wings that only cover ¾ of the abdomen. Females have rudimentary wing pads.

Most of the time, you won't see cockroaches in your home—and actually seeing roaches is a bad sign. It means your home is filled with cockroaches you aren't seeing. If you don't see them, here are a few ways to tell that you have a cockroach infestation.

• Look for tiny black specks. Cockroaches leave their black fecal droppings in the places they explore.
• Look for shed cockroach exoskeletons. Roaches shed their skins several times as they develop.
• Look for oothecae. These are eggs sacks. They are typically rusty brown. German cockroaches have oothecae that have orange coloration but they carry their eggs with them. You won't find their oothecae lying on the floor.
• Use your nose to detect cockroach pheromones or the scent of garbage that is often associated with roaches.

Use a flashlight and a probing tool to look in tight spaces, dark voids, nooks, and crannies. Check stored furniture, boxes, and other secluded spaces. Cockroaches are exceptionally good at hiding.

Cockroaches In Your Home Is A Major Risk To Your Health

The second step is to consider the connection between sanitation, health risks and cockroach prevention. Cockroaches spread many diseases, human pathogens, and parasitic worms. They're also linked to increases in asthma symptoms. It isn't good to have roaches in your home. But the reason roaches are a health risk is linked to sanitation. Understanding this link can help you guard your health and manage cockroaches.

• Certain cockroaches lay their eggs in rotting organic matter found in trash receptacles and dumpsters. They will also lay eggs in fecal matter. Many cockroaches begin life by feeding on dirty things that humans don't touch.
• When cockroaches get into homes, they find rotting organic matter you don't even know you have. They'll feed on grease and food matter on the sides of your oven. They feed on juice spots under your refrigerator. They'll explore your sinks, garbage disposal, and drains.
• Some roaches go in and out of homes. They may feed on dog droppings in the yard and create a serious source of contamination when they come indoors.
• Cockroaches feed on dead skin, toothpaste, and feces, making them a health risk when they explore bathrooms. Bathrooms are not only a food-rich environment for cockroaches, it is also a humid space, and roaches need moisture.

We could go on, but you see the issue. Cockroaches are unsanitary insects that will make you sick if they continue to infest your home. That is why it is critical to roll your sleeves up and do what is necessary to keep them out, or hire a licensed professional to handle your pest control for you.

Eliminate Factors That Attract Cockroaches Into Your Home

The third step is to apply what we've discussed so far to help you keep cockroaches out of your home year-round. The obvious place to start is sanitation. Let's look at what you can do around your home that will keep roaches at bay.

Sanitation: Anything that stinks should be cleaned or managed. Clean trash receptacles, get trash to the curb weekly, and keep your trash covered. Pick up any pet waste. Deter wildlife from coming near your home. Put clutter and trash piles into a bin, or remove it. Store fertilizer in a shed or well away form your exterior. If you have compost, make sure it is properly mixed to reduce the stinky smell that is sure to attract roaches.

Hiding Places: Cockroach hide under objects to protect them from the drying effects of the sun. Any object will do, but they have a particular attraction to organic materials such as wood, leaves, and stone. Move piles and stacks away from your home. As for man-made objects, pizza boxes are one to keep in the front of your mind. Cockroaches don't just eat the decaying organic matter left inside, they also eat cardboard. A stack of pizza boxes is a beacon for roaches.

Moisture Control: Cockroaches need moisture to stay hydrated. Have you ever heard of a palmetto bug or a water bug? Both are terms for American cockroaches, but they aren't the only roaches drawn to moist habitats. If you want to deter the cockroaches in your yard, clean your gutters, fix damaged plumbing, fix sprinklers, set sprinklers on a timer, trim vegetation in your landscaping, and take other steps to reduce perimeter moisture.

Exclusion Work: Cockroaches enter homes through cracks in foundations, gaps around pipes, damaged door sweeps, and other entry points. Examine your exterior and find the smallest of openings. Use expanding foam, silicon caulk, and concrete to seal these entry points. Replace or fix damaged screens, apply screen material over vents, replace weatherstripping, and make other repairs to seal routes roaches may use.

Pest Control: There are materials that can reduce cockroaches and keep them from entering your home. It is best to have a licensed pest control professional select and apply these. A professional will follow strict protocols to guard your health and the health of your children and pets.

If you take these steps, you can keep your home roach-free, but what do you do if you already have a cockroach infestation? It depends on the cockroaches you're seeing in your home. Some are easier to control than others. If you have German cockroaches, it is best to contact a service provider and get a German cockroach treatment. These roaches are nearly impossible to eliminate if you don't have training and experience. If you see wood roaches or oriental cockroaches, you may control them with sanitation, moisture control, and exclusions, outdoors and indoors. American cockroaches fall in the middle. It is sometimes possible to control them with these methods. It depends on the conditions inside your home. For advice or a cockroach inspection in Collin County, contact Adams Exterminating Company. We'll help you find an effective cockroach pest control solution.

The Pros To Call To Get Rid Of Cockroaches For Good

If you already have a cockroach infestation and need treatment, contact a licensed pest management professional with the experience required to provide you with the highest level of service and results you can count on. If you're in Collin County, Adams Exterminating Company is the right choice. We are a locally owned and operated pest control service provider with over 70 years of experience. 

We've been at this a long time and we've learned a thing or two along the way. Let our experience work for you! Reach out to us and get a free home estimate. We'll guide you toward the best solution to deal with those roaches.