Roaches
Roaches are everywhere, and they're among the hardest
household pests to eliminate. There are several varieties, but they all
have a lot in common. Cockroaches will eat just about anything people
do, and a lot of things we won't. They all thrive in warm, damp environments
like sewers, steam tunnels, basements, crawlspaces, and boiler rooms.
And all cockroaches spoil food, contaminate areas with their feces, and
spread disease. The entomologists at Terminix
who have studied roaches for decades offer some insights and tips for
helping keep these nasty creatures away.
Types of Cockroaches
There are five types of cockroaches found in the U.S.
American Roaches: The American cockroach is the largest, at
up to two inches long, and features a distinctive figure-eight pattern
on the shield at the front of its body. It is also referred to as the
palmetto bug and the water bug.
Australian Roaches: The Australian cockroach is reddish brown
with yellow markings covering the head. It is about an inch long, and
lives along the Gulf Coast from Florida to Texas. It is most likely to
infest attics and crawlspaces.
German Roaches: The German cockroach is the most prolific
breeder, and is about 1/2 inch long. German cockroaches tend to invade
bathrooms and kitchens first.
Oriental Roaches: Oriental cockroaches are about one inch
long. Females are all black, while males have two brown wings. They are
common throughout the country except in the Southeast. They live outdoors
during the summer, but will frequently invade homes during cooler weather.
Smoky Brown Roaches: Smoky Brown roaches are 1½ inches long
and dark brown in color. This breed is a ready flier, and is attracted
to improperly maintained garbage cans and pet food stored on patios and
decks. They are common throughout the Gulf states and in parts of California.
Pest Prevention
Eliminating or minimizing potential breeding areas is critical to reducing the cockroach population in and around your home. Here are some preventive measures you can take:
- Seal cracks and screen vents to prevent roaches from entering.
- Install screens over floor drains in basements.
- Make sure attics and crawlspaces are well ventilated (this has the added value of improving heating and cooling efficiency).
- Keep firewood piles stored off the ground, covered, and away from the home.
- Eliminate piles of leaves, lumber, bricks, or other items.
- Reduce ground cover next to or near the foundation.
- Use properly placed granular baits for short-term control.
Ridding Your Home of Roaches
A pest control service professional can help
you attack roaches where they live and breed – in your walls, your
attic, crawlspaces, behind appliances, under sinks, and more. See
our pest
control services from Terminix.
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To control roaches in your home, schedule a free pest evaluation from Terminix.
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