Cockroach Identification & Prevention
What are cockroaches?
Cockroaches are unsightly, unpleasant pests that have come to view our Idaho homes and businesses as their personal feeding and breeding grounds. Adaptable creatures, many cockroaches have learned to survive by learning how to live with people. A type of insect, most species of roaches have wings, but very few are actually good at flying. Instead, these pests use their six legs to quickly scurry out of the way of danger and back to their dark hiding spots. Their flat, oval-shaped body allows them to hide in our structures well out of our sight.
Two of the most common cockroaches to invade our Idaho Falls homes are the German cockroach and brown-banded cockroach.
German cockroaches are small brown roaches with two black stripes running between the head and thorax. Brown-banded cockroaches are yellowish-brown to dark brown, and as their name suggests, have two darker brown bands that go across their backs!
Are cockroaches dangerous?
The reason people have such an adverse reaction to cockroaches is because they are dangerous to have in our homes and businesses!
Cockroaches will quickly grow to large, difficult to control populations inside whatever structure they invade. Their shed skins and excrement build up and cause allergic reactions and other health problems, including triggering asthma attacks in young children.
These scavengers hang out in less than sanitary areas and carry on their bodies various bacteria and disease-causing pathogens. As they crawl around your home, they will contaminate food, counters, tables, utensils, dishes, and more with things that can make you and your family ill.
Why do I have a cockroach problem?
Cockroaches are in your home because either they were accidentally brought in inside something like a cardboard box or delivery, or because they found a way inside on their own. As long as your home can provide cockroaches with food, water, and shelter, they will want to stay. Cockroaches are prolific breeders, and all it takes is a few of these insects entering your home to create an infestation.
Where will I find cockroaches?
German cockroaches do best in areas with heat and humidity. Homes with underlying moisture issues often provide an environment where German cockroaches can thrive. Kitchens, laundry rooms, and bathrooms are common gathering places for cockroaches. They hide in wall voids, drawers, and behind cabinets, sinks, and tubs.
In contrast, brown-banded cockroaches prefer dry areas and can survive both hot and cold living conditions. These roaches thrive in dry or new homes without underlying moisture problems. Some of their favorite daytime hideouts include above cabinets, behind wood trim, attics, and in the corrugated creases of cardboard boxes.
These nocturnal pests are most active at night, crawling all over your home’s surfaces to search for food. Roaches feed on uneaten pet food, food debris on dirty dishes, crumbs on the floor, food scraps in trash cans, or even your family’s toothpaste.
How do I get rid of cockroaches?
Getting rid of cockroaches that have found a way into your home as quickly as possible is vital to your family’s health. At Falls Pest Services, we strive to provide our customers with peace of mind in knowing that their home has become and will stay free of cockroaches. Using our customized cockroach control services, we will meet all your pest control needs, and cockroaches will be a bad memory.
It is important to understand that cockroaches can pop up anywhere; if your home or business ever becomes home to these pests, immediately reach out to Falls Pest Services. Learn more about our commercial or residential pest control services in Idaho Falls by calling today!
How can I prevent cockroaches in the future?
The single best way to get rid of or prevent future problems with cockroaches and other pests is to put in place a year-round pest control program. In conjunction with professional home pest control and commercial pest control services, the following tips can help you avoid problems with cockroaches in your Idaho Falls home.
- Reduce moisture levels in your home by utilizing dehumidifiers.
- Inspect areas under sinks regularly for leaking pipes, and make repairs as necessary.
- Make sure attics and crawl spaces are well ventilated.
- Inspect cardboard boxes, furniture, and other things that have been outside for roaches before bringing them into your home.
- Limit crumbs in your home by vacuuming regularly, wiping down counters, and only eating in certain areas of your home.
- Keep lids on trash cans whether they are inside and outside of your home.
- Keep outdoor eating areas both inside and outside your home free of food debris.
- Roaches feed at night, so before going to bed, always pick up uneaten pet food, wash dirty dishes, and put any leftover food in the fridge.
