When it comes to talking about cockroaches, filth, dirt, and disease come to mind. No other insect is as universally loathed as these creepy creatures. They incite fear, anxiety, and screams from household owners just with their presence alone.
Cockroaches are nocturnal, so it is no wonder that you are probably watching your favorite primetime tv show or just simply relaxing by the couch after a long day’s work when these pests show up to bug you.
Cockroach Overview
One interesting fact about cockroaches is that only a few species of cockroaches are pests. There are 3,500 species. Of these, there are 4 very common species in the United States: American cockroach, German cockroach, oriental cockroach, and the brown-banded cockroach.
Cockroaches have flat bodies that are oval-shaped. They have six legs that make them fast enough to run away from danger. They have long antennae, and though they have wings, they are clumsy fliers.
Cockroaches Are Dangerous Pests To Have Around
Cockroach, for one, is a nuisance to have around. They are always on the lookout for food and they are not choosy as to what they eat. They eat trash, rotten food, feces, vomit, dead insects, and even their own as they are seen to practice cannibalism. Unfortunately for us, since they are not picky eaters, they also target our food. Once they contaminate our food, throw it away.
Cockroaches are known to transmit diseases too. They thrive in filth and dirty places, like the sewers, or garbage bins, or any dirty places you could think of. They are there. Imagine all the bacteria they pick up with their legs. Then imagine them getting into your homes. They contaminate our food with their droppings, saliva, or vomit. This is either through direct contact with the food or just by crawling on surfaces that come into contact with food.
The diseases they are known to transmit include salmonella, streptococcus, staphylococcus, and also allergies. They can also carry viruses such as the poliovirus.
What is so special with these cockroaches - and ultimately what makes them so deadly - is that they do not get sick with all the bacteria and viruses they ingest by eating filth. They just carry these with them in their digestive system, ready to be spewed out with their vomit or droppings to infect humans.
Where Do Cockroaches Hide?
Cockroaches are creatures of the night. They show up during the dark to forage for food. So where do they hide during the day? Mostly they prefer to find a spot in the kitchen where they can be near the food source. Food spills coming from us are enough for them to survive.
Here are some of the hiding places that cockroaches prefer:
- Under the kitchen sinks, where they find enough moisture and they are undisturbed.
- In between cracks and crevices. Cockroaches love the sensation of being touched or being in tight places. They are thin enough to fit into these cracks.
- In the drains and grease traps.
- Inside the cupboards where it is near dry foods.
- In furniture that is mostly unused.
Most Common Types Of Cockroaches In The United States
Not all cockroaches are pests. Some are peacefully living in the forests and being helpful to the environment. A very few are pests. When we say a few, that is relative to the number of cockroaches throughout the world. There are probably millions of them in North Carolina alone. Here are the four common types of cockroaches in America.
- American cockroach - The name American cockroach is actually a misnomer; this species came from the Middle East, coming over to America through the seas. This is the largest of all the common types of cockroaches, and are the most plentiful. They are also the largest, being 2 inches long. They are oval in shape and have wings that are well developed, though they are not good flyers. They are actually clumsy flyers. They live in moist, dark, and dirty places like the sewers, pipes, and of course in the garbage bins. They contaminate our food either through direct contact or by crawling on surfaces that are in contact with food. They are pests indeed.
- German cockroach - The German cockroach is small, only about 1.1 in to 1.5 inch long. They are commonly found in restaurant, hotels, warehouses, and offices. They prefer sweet tasting, fatty, and starchy food. This is the most troublesome species of all.
- Oriental cockroach - They are the filthiest of all the cockroaches. Oriental cockroaches are larger and darker compared to other cockroach species. They thrive in dirty, cooler places. You would know they are around because they create a strong smell. They eat garbage and organic material.
- Brown-banded cockroach - A brown-banded cockroach is 10 to 14 mm long. They are almost the same as the German cockroach, only smaller. They like to live in warm dry places, and they hide their eggs under the furniture, clothes, cracks on the floor, or wood. The adult life span is about 200 days.
A Few Interesting Facts
Cockroaches have survived for millions of years. They would not be that way if not for special survival skills. In fact, cockroaches can go without food for one month, and without water for one week. You can even cut off its head, and it would not mind. They can live without their heads for a week. They breathe through small holes in their bodies. The only reason they would die is, well, they can only live for one week without water, and they would not have the mouth-parts that would enable them to drink. Cockroaches can also hold their breath for 40 minutes, part of the reason why they are so successful. They have been around since the dinosaur era, which tells us a lot about their survival skills.
So When Is The Time To Kill Cockroaches With Pest Control?
Once you see at least one cockroach in your home, you can be very sure there are more somewhere. They may be solitary when foraging, but there are many more where they are hiding. Killing off one would not mean you have gotten rid of roaches at all. You may probably have an infestation already; it is time to put on all the stops to get rid of them.
How To Control The Cockroach Population
Before you secure the services of a pest control expert in North Carolina, here are some suggestions on how to get rid of the roaches:
- Seal off cracks, crevices, and holes by caulking. These are possible entry points for the roaches. Seal off gaps between the interior and the exterior of the house.
- We now know that cockroaches thrive in filth. Cleaning up around the house will help diminish their numbers. Wipe off food and drink spills which they enjoy lapping up. Clean stove-tops and kitchen sinks.
- Do not leave the dishes and kitchen utensils unwashed overnight.
- Regularly throw away your garbage. Put a tight cover on your trash cans. The trash offers a lot of food source for cockroach.
- Put your food in sealed containers. This way, you keep the cockroaches from contaminating the food you eat.
- Remove clutter in your home. Take away clutter which they can use as hiding places. Do not keep old and useless boxes, cardboard, newspapers, or magazines around the house.
- Cockroach baits can be effective. Put these in places you know are frequented by cockroaches. This works in a way in which they do not die at once but carry the poison back to their nests. This would greatly affect all the other roaches in the nest and kill them too.
- You may use traps too, like a greased margarine tub smeared with honey for bait. The cockroach would think it is a food source and climb into it. The grease would not allow them to go back out, thus entrapping them.
- Try using commercial insecticides bought from the store. Just remember to read the instructions carefully.
If you are overwhelmed by the number of cockroaches and the extent of damages they cause, you may get help from a licensed professional.
Call In The Best Pest Control Expert In North Carolina
When it comes to getting pest control you can trust, people from North Carolina all agree: they would rather get only Go-Forth Home Services.
Go-Forth Home Services is a family-owned business that has earned the trust of residents and businesses of North Carolina for more than 50 years. They have expert experience in exterminating pests, like cockroaches, mosquitoes, mice, spiders, flies, and many other pests. They have a team of expert technicians that use only the latest and most advanced equipment in the business, so you can say goodbye to these pests. You may Google us or check us on Facebook to know what our satisfied customers have to say about us.
For more information or to set an appointment, just click here or dial (877) 274-1475.