Cockroaches will put many homeowners on guard. They are both a nuisance and a pest, carrying diseases and allergens. In this article, we’re going to answer some frequently asked questions about roaches.
What are the signs of a cockroach infestation?
If you suspect that you have a roach infestation, there are several signs that you can look for in order to confirm it. First you have cockroach droppings, eggs, and shed skin. You then have an unusual odor in the home, which you might be able to tell right away that it comes from cockroaches. Cockroaches will also leave smear marks where they travel, and you may notice damaged packaging that is the result of roaches chewing through it in order to get to food. You can also check common roach infestation areas which include the kitchen, bathroom, and pretty much any damp area of the home.
Can roaches fly?
Almost all cockroach species have wings but few of them actually fly. Instead they use their wings to glide. Of the four common pests roaches in the US (American, German, Oriental and brown-banded cockroaches), the Oriental and German roaches do not fly, the American roach will glide over short distances, and the brown-banded roach will fly.
Do cockroaches bite?
Cockroaches have strong jaws for their size, being able to chew through leather, and they are opportunistic feeders, known to eat meat, cardboard, glue and many other tough materials. This means that they have the jaw strength for painful bites. However, they are not an aggressive species. At most, they will bite humans who are sleeping.
What are some prevention measures that can be used against cockroaches?
Cockroaches look for three things in a building: shelter, food and water. This means that if you want to prevent a roach infestation, you need to make sure that these three things are not available to the roaches. Remove liquids, food and garbage from open areas, and try to keep them sealed as much as possible. Make sure that your kitchen is clean at all times, and that you do not have clutter throughout the home, as it provides a place to hide for the cockroaches. Finally, make sure that you fix any leaky pipes and that you seal any cracks in the exterior of the home.
How do you get rid of a cockroach infestation?
If you want to get rid of the roaches yourself, there are several commercial options out there, including insecticidal sprays, powders and stick traps. Most of these products act either as repellents or as a way to create a “death zone” which kills any cockroaches that travel through it. However, these methods do not really work against large infestations, because the roaches will learn to avoid poisoned areas. A professional pest control specialist will deal with these kinds of infestations by finding the main nest and taking it out. If you need any help dealing with a roach infestation, contact us today.
