Cockroach Identification
What Are Cockroaches?
Cockroaches are hearty insects that can live and thrive in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments. These scavengers feed on a variety of food and non-food items and are common invaders into homes and businesses. Cockroaches are oval shaped with long antennae and, while most are winged, most are also poor fliers. The cockroach’s best defense is their ability to run quickly and retreat to dark, hard to reach spots.
Cockroaches living in Northwestern Arkansas that have become accustomed to living near us include:
- German cockroaches
- Oriental cockroaches
- American cockroaches
- Brown-banded cockroaches
- Wood cockroaches
Are Cockroaches Dangerous?
Before finding a way into your home, cockroaches were feeding in and traveling through places like bathrooms, sewers, dumpsters, compost piles, and excrement. On their bodies and legs, cockroaches carry a wide variety of bacteria, pathogens, and viruses they contaminate surfaces and your family’s food sources with. Cockroaches are also a source of allergens that trigger allergies in many people, and in young kids, and can cause asthma attacks.
Though many species of cockroaches have learned the benefits of living with people, they provide us with no benefits and should never be in our homes and businesses.
Why Do I have a Cockroach Problem?
Cockroaches in our area have learned to survive the test of time by understanding that people and our properties offer them things that make their life more comfortable like shelter, food, and sources of moisture.
Though cockroaches present the stigma of having a cluttered or dirty structure, the truth is cockroaches can find their way into any home or business. They will find a way inside on their own through openings they discover while foraging for food, or they are introduced by us unknowingly in things like bags, boxes, potted plants, deliveries, or used appliances. Cockroaches will view any small crumb as an open invitation to make themselves at home on your property!
Where Will I Find Cockroaches?
Unpleasant odors, pepper-like droppings, dead cockroaches, and shed skins are signs that cockroaches have found a way into your home. Cockroaches are nocturnal, so until an infestation is large enough for you to notice their presence, it is common not to realize you have them in your home. During the day, cockroaches hide in dark spots that keep them well out of our sight in places like cracks in walls, behind door or window frames, drawers, cardboard boxes, behind appliances, and under sinks.
Most roaches, such as American cockroaches, Oriental cockroaches, and German cockroaches, prefer to live indoors in humid areas; the exception to this is the brown-banded cockroach. They prefer dry, hot areas and are found under furniture and in attics and the tops of cabinets in our homes.
Wood cockroaches sometimes find a way into our homes, attracted by our lights. But, they prefer to live outside in wooded areas. They are often discovered in woodpiles, under decaying trees, or behind loose tree bark.
How Do I Get Rid of Cockroaches?
Cockroaches are never welcome in our homes or businesses. Call for professional help as soon as you notice these pests are around. Get cockroaches out of your home and keep them out with the help of the experts at Rumble Pest Solutions of Arkansas. Our modern and effective pest control solutions will rid your home of pests and protect your family and home from their dangers and damages.
We want to give you peace of mind in knowing your most important assets are being protected! To learn more about our effective residential and commercial pest control solutions, reach out to Rumble Pest Solutions of Arkansas today!
How Can I Prevent Cockroaches In The Future?
The following tips will help you prevent cockroaches from taking over your yard and home:
- Take the time to make sure your kitchen is neat and tidy each evening. Do the dishes, wipe down counters, and sweep floors.
- Regularly pull out and clean behind appliances like refrigerators and ovens.
- Store food in containers with lids or in the fridge, not out on counters or tables.
- Keep roaches out of your home by sealing spaces in the foundation, exterior walls, and around windows and doors.
- Keep lids on trash cans that are located both inside and outside of your home.
- Place all trash in outdoor trash cans and store them away from the exterior walls of your home.
- Place woodpiles away from the outside perimeter of your house.
- Remove leaf piles, brush piles, and other debris from your yard.
- Be wary when introducing used items like furniture or appliance into your home; always inspect them for cockroaches before bringing them inside.
Learn more about our home pest control and commercial pest control solutions.
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Donna D.“The technicians are always timely and professional. They are thorough and pleasant to deal with. They do a good job with treating the yard, eaves, and the inside of the house.”