Roaches 101: The Basics Huntsville Homeowners Need To Know
January 15, 2020
If there’s one pest that homeowners in the Huntsville area need to know about, it’s roaches. Cockroaches are some of the toughest insects that exist anywhere. Not only are they hard to kill, but they're also able to colonize nearly everywhere. That’s why it’s important to understand the basics of cockroaches so that you know how to detect an infestation before it gets out of hand
Let’s start with identification. A cockroach is an oval-shaped insect that varies in size and color based on the species. In Huntsville, if you see a cockroach in your home, you are likely dealing with one of the following types of roaches:
- German Cockroach: This species is light brown to tan in color with two dark, parallel stripes extending down its back. German cockroaches are smaller in size than other roaches. At its largest, it will reach about 2/3 inch long. They are typically found in areas where there is moisture such as kitchens, bathrooms, or basements.
- American Cockroach: This species of roach is reddish-brown with a lighter figure-eight pattern on its head. It is much larger than the German roach, reaching up to two inches in length. If they find their way into your home, they will most likely live in pipes or drains.
- Oriental Cockroach: Oriental cockroaches are darker in color when compared with the other common species. They appear almost black and reach a length of one inch. Like the other species, they prefer to live in cool, damp places in the home.
As a rule, all three types thrive best in warm conditions especially when the temperature is over 70° Fahrenheit. In addition, they like dark and humid places, which can make it difficult to track them down unless you know to look for them. Now that you have an idea of what cockroaches are and how they work, let’s look into why they can be one of the worst things for homeowners to see in their homes.
Diseases And Other Problems
Without question, the biggest concern cockroaches bring to humans is their ability to spread a wide range of diseases. Because of their propensity to travel through dirty places and eat rotting material, cockroaches are dirty, disgusting creatures. Most commonly, they spread disease through direct contact, their droppings, and their shed skins. They do not bite. Some of the most common diseases spread by cockroaches include salmonella, typhoid fever, cholera, gastroenteritis, dysentery, giardia, and others.
However, if you detect a cockroach problem, you have to watch out for more than just disease. People prone to allergies or asthma are much likely to experience flare-ups when cockroaches are present within the home. If you’re noticing more allergic reactions, that could be a sign of a roach infestation.
Tips To Keep Roaches Out Of Your Huntsville Home
The best way to avoid a roach infestation is to utilize some proven tips for prevention. After all, a problem prevented is a problem that doesn’t exist. The top tips to remember are:
- Stay clean: Sanitation and cleaning is the best way to prevent an invasion.
- Prioritize the kitchen: This is the most popular room for roaches because it’s where the food and organic waste exist. To that end, pack away food after each meal. Also, it’s important to wipe away crumbs and do the dishes every day. If the roaches can’t feed, they won’t stay.
- Eat-in limited areas: Crumbs are the single biggest reason why roaches invade multiple rooms. Limiting the number of rooms used for eating can make cleanup easier along with improved roach prevention.
- Take out the trash: Just because everything’s in the trashcan that doesn’t mean roaches won’t find their way into your trash bag. Take out the trash regularly to prevent roaches from finding their next meal.
- Vacuum the floor: Roaches leave a trail everywhere including the floor. This also means egg sacs get left behind. Fortunately, prevention is easy when you vacuum the floor every night.
- Lock it down: Roaches love to slip through the cracks of pipes and crawl spaces among other sources. That’s why it’s important to secure the windows, doors, and other gaps to prevent this from happening.
- Consider pest control: If you have a roach infestation, contact a professional immediately. They can help eliminate a current infestation and prevent a future one through regular treatment plans.
Cockroach Prevention With Custom Pest Control
The team at Custom Pest Control has proudly serviced our customers in the Huntsville area for over 25 years. We will work with you to ensure that our pest control services make your pest problem a thing of the past.
We offer both monthly and quarterly services tailored to the pest problem you’re experiencing. Our monthly plan is perfect for roaches of all types, which means our customers can relax knowing that roaches will no longer be a problem. Best of all, there’s no commitment or contract needed to secure your home.
Are you ready to explore your pest control options? Contact us today to speak with one of our friendly representatives.