Have you ever wondered how cockroaches get into homes, or what diseases they might be carrying on their small bodies? You wouldn’t be the first. For years people have wondered about roaches. Scientists have studied them, homeowners have crushed them--but some have run in terror. Today we are here to set the record straight about cockroaches and to provide a quick and effective guide for stopping them.
Cockroaches In Your Area
Surprisingly there are quite a variety of cockroaches in the area. Here are the top three you need to know about.
The American Roach: Known for being the biggest pest roach in North America, the American cockroach can be identified by its reddish-brown body and its yellowish figure eight. Able to bite, but unlikely to do so, this roach prefers to live outdoors but can be commonly found within human structures.
The German Roach: Much smaller than the American roach, the German cockroach is best known for being the most common cockroach pest, worldwide. To identify these roaches, look for their yellowish-brown bodies and the two distinct black lines running from their head to the top of their back. These pernicious pests are most commonly found in the warmest most humid areas around homes.
The Oriental Roach: Sleek and black in color, the Oriental cockroach prefers living around moist gutters, around landscaping beds, and near, or in, sewers. You are most likely to find these pests inside your trash or around your basement area.
Problems Cockroaches Cause
One thing all cockroaches have in common is their ability to cause trouble. Cockroaches have been known to carry and spread over 33 kinds of bacteria, 6 parasitic pests, and 7 dangerous human pathogens. Also, cockroaches can trigger asthma attacks with the skin they shed from their bodies. We don’t know about you, but most folks don't want these disease-ridden creatures roaming around their home.
Where To Start To Keep Cockroaches Away
Although cockroaches can live in a clean environment, the fewer scraps of food and trash there are around your home, the less food cockroaches will have to eat. For this reason, we recommend starting with a deep and thorough cleaning of your home. When doing so, do not neglect to clean beneath appliances as this is one place cockroaches love to hide.
Once your home is clean, try to focus on exclusion. This involves finding entry points cockroaches might use to get inside and sealing them off. Here are some great ways to do this.
- Use a caulking gun to seal cracks and openings in your home’s exterior foundation and gaps around window and door frames as well as utility piping.
- Fix or replace any broken screens.
- Install door sweeps on all exterior doors.
To go above and beyond with your cockroach prevention, here are some other great tips we recommend.
- Store leftover food inside airtight containers.
- Address moisture issues around your home by fixing leaks and using dehumidifiers.
- Reduce clutter around your home and organize storage areas.
The Best Way To Keep Cockroaches Away
At the end of the day, DIY cockroach prevention can only go so far. Cockroaches are agile and sneaky creatures that might surprise you by getting inside despite your best efforts to keep them out.
Your best chance to keep cockroaches out of your home is with professional pest control services courtesy of Parkway Pest Services. We know how cockroaches think and we have the treatments needed to safeguard your property against them. With over 85 years of pest control experience, you can trust that no-one is better suited for the job than we are.
Give us a call today to find out what superior pest control from Parkway Pest Services looks like for your Long Island home. We promise you won’t be disappointed.