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Cockroaches

Cockroach Control Overview

Cockroaches are a common pest and are often found in the kitchen where there is food or in moist areas. Cockroaches can be harmful because they carry various types of bacteria that they pick up from sewages and other uncleanly areas

Cockroaches tend to breed quickly, give off bad odour, and can worsen symptoms of asthma and eczema. If you have a cockroach infestation, you may also suffer from dysentery, gastroenteritis, salmonella and typhoid.

Thankfully, treatments are available to exterminate and protect your home from cockroaches.

What Do Cockroaches Look Like?

Cockroaches have bodies that are flat and oval-shaped. The color of a cockroach may range from reddish-brown to black. These pests are approximately 2 inches in length, however, in tropical areas you may find larger cockroaches. Male cockroaches tend to be smaller than females. While cockroaches have wings, they are not well versed in flying.

Cockroaches have six legs that are used for running across surfaces with speed. They also have special pads that are used to scale surfaces and walk along walls and even on the ceiling.

While cockroaches are generally reddish-brown or black in color, nymphs are not. Nymphs are pale in color and do not have wings.

How Serious Are Cockroaches?

Cockroaches are a common pest that can often be found lurking around in the kitchen near food and water. These pests can become a serious issue because they tend to hide, and can reproduce quickly in large numbers.

Cockroaches like to stay in damp areas and may carry bacteria that is picked up from sewages and similar areas. By carrying such bacteria, they can transfer E. coli or salmonella to food which can be dangerous for humans.

Getting rid of cockroaches immediately is important in order to avoid other causes of concern such as asthma and eczema in humans. If you do develop such symptoms, it can lead to illnesses such as dysentery, gastroenteritis, salmonella and typhoid.

Signs of Cockroaches

While spotting a cockroach can be difficult due to their nocturnal nature, identifying a cockroach infestation is easier. Cockroaches may eat almost anything from human food, paper, plastic, fabric and even animal droppings. As a result, you may find many damaged goods in your home such as books.

Aside from damaged goods, you may begin to notice an unusual odour. This smell can be due to a cockroach infestation. Cockroaches leave an unpleasant smell that can even taint the smell of belongings that are crawled over.

Cockroach droppings are another sign of an infestation. These pests produce droppings that are brown or black in color and cylindrical in shape.

If there is a large supply of water available for cockroaches, you will notice brown smear marks. These marks can be found on any surface or along areas where the wall meets the floor.

Lastly, cockroaches shed skin about 5 to 8 times when maturing from nymph to adults. Skin sheddings can be found close to areas where cockroaches are keeping shelter within the property itself.

How Did I Get Cockroaches?

Cockroaches can survive on very little but enter the home in search for water or food. It is a common misconception that cockroaches only infest dirty homes. In fact, cockroaches are known to infest even the cleanest homes.

Cockroaches could either be pre-existing in the home or they can be transported from one infested area to another. These pests are small and can pass under door cracks and other small spaces such as windows and garages. Cockroaches can also get in the house by hitchhiking on a grocery bag, cardboard boxes, luggage and even furniture. To avoid bringing cockroaches into the house, get rid of empty boxes and check any bags prior to entering the house.

Plumbing is another way for cockroaches to enter houses. Oriental cockroaches are known to do this and can travel along plumbing to get indoors. To prevent cockroaches to get in through plumbing, seal any openings that may allow entry.

Identifying Cockroaches

There are many different types of cockroaches but some of the most common are German cockroaches, Oriental cockroaches and brown-banded cockroaches.

The German cockroach is one of the most common cockroaches found indoors in family residences. These cockroaches enjoy living in dark, warm and humid areas where they have access to food and water. Kitchens, bathrooms, cracks and crevices, cabinets, sinks, appliances and storage areas in the home are some of their favourite places to hide. To keep German cockroaches away, clean up any dirty dishes, ensure that the garbage can is sealed tight and keep any food in containers.

Oriental cockroaches on the other hand can be commonly found outdoors and indoors. If indoors, Oriental cockroaches hide in sewer drains, basements and crawl spaces, leaky pipes, sinks, refrigerators, washing machines and floors. If outdoors, these cockroaches hide near woodchips, patio bricks, sidewalks, between soil and near other organic matter.

Lastly, brown-banded cockroaches hide in warm areas that are dry. These cockroaches like to stay in high areas like cabinets and pantries, shelves, bookshelves and in the shower. They also seek warmth near items like televisions, electric motors and clocks.

How Can I Prevent Cockroaches?

Cockroaches can be a nuisance and it can be difficult to determine where to start when it comes to the prevention of cockroaches. To prevent cockroach infestations you can start by ensuring that you do not leave liquids in accessible areas, store foods in containers, remove food waste and compost, and do not leave pet food in the bowl overnight.