Cockroach Identification & Prevention

Cockroaches are insects in the order Blattodea. Though there are around 4,500 species of cockroach worldwide, these insects all have the same basic look. They are oval in shape, with flat bodies, small heads, and long antennae. Many cockroach species have long wings that cover the entirety of their backs. Some cockroaches have no wings at all or short wings that are not capable of flying. The most common species of cockroach throughout the United States are German cockroaches (small and tan with stripes on their heads), oriental cockroaches (medium-sized with segmented bodies), and American cockroaches (massive cockroaches that can grow over two inches long).

Cockroaches are dangerous because of the diseases that they spread. Cockroaches are known or suspected to spread almost four dozen different pathogens, many of which are very harmful. Cockroaches can spread disease in a variety of ways. They have no compunction about leaving contaminated feces in the things you eat. They can and will contaminate food stores and food preparation surfaces with their filthy feet and bodies. They may also die inside ventilation or water sources and contaminate those as well. Even a single cockroach can expose you to pathogens, but a cockroach infestation has the potential to make you very ill.

You often wind up with a cockroach problem because your home contains one or more things that cockroaches need. Roaches need moisture, predator-free shelter, hiding places, and food. Your home has all these things in abundance. If you make it easy to access these basic needs, you're all the more likely to wind up with an infestation. This means a large part of cockroach prevention is reducing or eliminating their ability to meet their needs in your home.

The thing about having a cockroach infestation is that you might not actually find cockroaches even if you look for them because cockroaches are very good at staying out of the way of people. They're also nocturnal, meaning you may not see live roaches even if they're around. This means you'll need to look for other signs of a cockroach infestation: 

• Smear marks from roaches crawling in the water 
• A foul or musty smell
• Cockroach egg capsules 
• Cockroach feces or shed exoskeletons 
• Live roaches 

Even though roaches are very good at hiding, you may occasionally run into a live one, especially at night. If this happens, it's essential to get on it right away. For every roach you see, there are typically dozens you don't see.

Getting rid of cockroaches is a huge hassle once you already have an infestation. Unfortunately, store-bought cockroach control products are quite ineffective due to cockroaches' infamous resilience. It doesn't take them many generations to develop high resistance to common pesticides. Not to mention the fact that these pesticides can be dangerous to pets and people alike.

The best thing you can do when you wind up with a cockroach problem is to get professional pest control in Pasadena here at Accutech Pest Management. We have cockroach management products and techniques that can overpower their resistance and help drive them out of your home.

The good news is that cockroach prevention is much easier than cockroach elimination if you know how to keep cockroaches away. To prevent roaches:

• Cover all indoor and outdoor garbage cans at all times. 
• Store all pantry foods in airtight containers to mask smells.
• Fix moisture issues like leaky pipes or clogged plumbing.
• Seal up cracks and holes that can provide entry into your home.
• Declutter to eliminate roach hiding spots.

Taking these measures can go a long way toward making your home a less attractive place for roaches to set up shop. But if you get a cockroach infestation despite your best efforts, don't wait until it takes over your whole house. Contact us here at Accutech Pest Management today for home pest control.