Cockroach Identification and Prevention

Cockroach Identification and Prevention

Seeing cockroaches in your home is never ideal. Certain roaches can mean there is an infestation, instead of just one. Failing to remove these pests can lead to unpleasant outcomes and more sightings.

We have broken down the most common cockroaches found in North Carolina and how to keep them away; let’s check it out!

German Cockroach

These roaches are generally light to dark brown and have two stripes near the back of their head. This species does have wings but rarely uses them. They prefer dark, moist places, such as basements and crawl spaces. They don’t do well in the cold, so they thrive better here in the South.

American Cockroach

Larger than the German cockroach, these roaches can get up to four centimeters in length. They develop wings towards the end of their lifecycle, with males having some longer than their bodies. They can be identified easily with a yellow band behind their head. They are typically found where there is an abundance of food, so restaurants see more infestations than homeowners would. They prefer dark or damp wood piles in the wild.

Here are some ways to prevent cockroaches and keep them away from your home.

  • Eliminate food sources: store food in airtight containers and do not leave food out on counters
  • Clean up food debris: make sure crumbs are not left on the counters and vacuum often to keep food off the floors
  • Declutter your home: clutter provides free hiding places for roaches; be sure to keep clutter minimal
  • Seal all entry points: key risks are windows, doors, pipes, and drains. Be sure to seal all open areas to keep them out of your home.

If you think you have a roach infestation, be sure to reach out to your local pest control company. These professionals will provide the best plan of action to keep roaches out of your home.

Keep Roaches Out of Your Home with These 3 Tips

Keep Roaches Out of Your Home with These 3 Tips

Cockroaches are attracted to food, water, and warm shelter, all of which can be found in your home. They can multiply quickly and adapt to just about any environment, which makes them extremely difficult to get rid of. Cockroaches are dangerous to humans as they’re known to carry and transmit serious diseases, trigger allergies and asthma, and contaminate food and surfaces in your home. In order to keep roaches out of your home, the goal is to make it as unattractive to them as possible. Below are 3 tips to help prevent roaches.

Keep it clean

Roaches are attracted to dirt and filth because they provide a source of food for them. Keeping your home clean helps eliminate these food sources by making them go elsewhere in search of something to eat. Wash your dishes and put them away after meals, clean up any crumbs and spills, empty the garbage before going to bed, clean grease from your stovetop, and sweep, mop, and vacuum on a regular basis. Also, make sure you seal any leftover food in containers and don’t leave pet food out overnight.

Clear it out

The less clutter in your home, the less places roaches have to hide. Besides that, cockroaches love to breed in newspaper and cardboard. Keep your home as clutter free as possible. Make sure you dust regularly and use plastic storage bins instead of cardboard boxes when possible.

Seal it up

Roaches are able to squeeze through the tiniest of holes. They tend to get in through cracks around windows, doors, roofs, foundations, in attics and crawlspaces, and through vents and holes used for electric and plumbing. Inspect your home for any possible entry points and seal them up. For smaller holes you can seal with caulk, and with larger holes you can seal with steel wool or foam.

If you are overwhelmed and can’t get roaches away from your home, call your local pest control company. They can provide you with a thorough inspection to help identify what type of pest you’re dealing with, the most likely points of entry they’re using, and the most up-to-date treatment and prevention options available.

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