Have roaches? Learn all about these pests, including the many different species of cockroaches you may find in your home or business and your options to eradicate and prevent them.
QUICK FACTS
TYPES OF SPECIES
PEST CONTROL SOLUTIONS
ROACH FACTS
Wherever man can survive, so can cockroaches. Cockroaches are born scavengers. The worldwide estimate of the number of cockroaches is given as 3,500 species, but that number is likely far greater.
PEST TIPS
Many pest management professionals consider trapping to be the most effective means of physical removal of cockroaches.
What Do They Eat?
Indoors, cockroaches are fond of starchy materials, such as cereals, sweetened or sugary substances and meat products. A few of the substances upon which they feed include cheese, beer, leather, hair, wallpaper, artwork, paper documents, postage stamps, draperies, paper currency, and dead or rotting organic matter. They eat books and book bindings.
Why Get Rid of Roaches?
Cockroaches acquire pathogenic bacteria simply by walking over cultures and these pathogens are subsequently transferred to foodstuffs during the normal foraging behavior of the infested roach.
The phrase "cockroach asthma" has been used to describe instances of bronco-spasm brought on by inhalation of cockroach allergens.
How Do Infestations Occur?
Many homes and business establishments become infested with German cockroaches when they are introduced by infested cartons, foodstuffs and other materials.
American cockroaches are commonly found in sewers and basements, particularly around pipes.
COCKROACH CONTROL
Find the Infestation
Proper identification of the infesting species is important in controlling the infestation.
Cockroaches are secretive and often go unnoticed until populations are so large that evidence of contamination or potential health problems is readily apparent.
Inspection for cockroaches usually involves a visual search. A thorough knowledge of preferred habitats of cockroach species helps determine potential harborage sites.
Getting Rid of Roaches
The reduction of clutter is one of the keys to effective long-term control of cockroaches.
Like all animals, cockroaches need food and water to survive in and around structures. By reducing access to food and water, cockroach populations become stressed to survive in urban environments. Conversely, poor sanitation, inadequate maintenance and overcrowding in apartments can create chronic cockroach infestations. Once German cockroach populations are established, it can be impossible to reduce the population by sanitation alone.
Keeping away indoor cockroaches often entails removal of materials such as paper bags and boxes, newspapers, excessive household goods, litter and any other items that produce clutter. To get rid of any roach problem, use the Kness Stick-All Glue Trap!
The worldwide estimate of the number of cockroaches is around 3,500 species, but that number is likely far greater. Cockroaches are some of the hardiest animals on Earth, capable of surviving in harsh environments with little food. They can be found worldwide, but only a handful are considered to be pests.
American Cockroach
The American cockroach is the largest species of the roach family known to infest homes and businesses.
What You Need To Know About American Cockroaches
What do blow American cockroaches look like?
29-53 mm in length
Glossy red-brown coloring
Wings (males have wings that extend past the body)
Can fly
Long antennae
Six legs
What do American cockroaches eat?
Insects, leaves, tiny wood particles, fungi, and algae
Food Scraps and pet food
Where do American cockroaches live?
Live in trees and indoor structures
Prefer dark places such as basements, cupboards, bathrooms, etc.
What You Need To Know About American Cockroach Infestations
What are the signs of an American cockroach infestation?
See cockroaches out in the open during daylight
Droppings in dark places such as cupboards, pantries, and behind appliances
Why do American cockroaches invade my home or business?
There’s an abundance of food and water sources
Plenty of dark places to hide and look for shelter
Why do acrobat ants invade my home or business?
Contact a pest professional
Use the Kness Stick-All Glue Trap
Tips To Prevent American Cockroach Infestations
Remove all exposed food and unnecessary water sources, seal cracks and crevices, and vacuum and remove shelter sites such as cardboard and paper
Remove dead leaves or rake mulch away from the foundation
Don’t leave food out overnight, wash dirty dishes daily, and wipe up crumbs and spilled food, even in cabinets and pantries.
Clean kitchen counters with a disinfectant spray every night (don’t forget the appliances)
Restrict food consumption to one room to limit crumbs and eating areas for the pest
Oriental Cockroach
As they forage for food in homes, the pests may transfer disease-causing bacteria to pantry goods and countertops.
What You Need To Know About Oriental Cockroaches
What do oriental cockroaches look like?
20-25mm in length
Dark brown or black coloring
Have wings (can’t fly though)
What do oriental cockroaches eat?
Prefer garbage and decaying organic material
Where do oriental cockroaches live?
Live in damp and cool places such as basements, where water fixtures are located, and beneath porches and decks
What are the signs of an oriental cockroach infestation?
A musty odor present (cockroach’s secreted chemicals)
Why do oriental cockroaches invade my home or business?
How do I get rid of oriental cockroaches?
Tips To Prevent Oriental Cockroach Infestations
Use a dehumidifier indoors
German Cockroach
This is the most common cockroach in homes and businesses across the United States. These nocturnal pests can cause a lot of health issues for humans as a disease-carrying insect.
What You Need To Know About German Cockroaches
What do German cockroaches look like?
12-15mm in length
Light brown or tan coloration
Have two dark longitudinal stripes on their back half
Have wings (can barely fly)
What do German cockroaches eat?
Will eat just about anything, from book bindings to toothpaste
Where do German cockroaches live?
Love warm, dark, and humid conditions (bathrooms, under sinks, and cupboards)
Commonly found indoors
What You Need To Know About German Cockroach Infestations
What are the signs of a German cockroach infestation?
Why do German cockroaches invade my home or business?
How do I get rid of German cockroaches?
Restrict food consumption to one room to limit crumbs and eating areas for the pest Use the Kness Stick-All Glue Trap
Tips To Prevent German Cockroach Infestations
Cockroaches are secretive and often go unnoticed until populations are so large that contamination or potential health problems are readily apparent.
Inspection for cockroaches usually involves a visual search. Thorough knowledge of preferred habitats of cockroach species helps determine potential harborage sites.
Like all animals, cockroaches need food and water to survive in and around structures. By reducing access to food and water, cockroach populations become stressed to survive in urban environments. Conversely, poor sanitation, inadequate maintenance, and overcrowding in apartments can create chronic cockroach infestations. Once German cockroach populations are established, it can be impossible to reduce the population by sanitation alone.
Keeping away indoor cockroaches often entails removing materials such as paper bags and boxes, newspapers, excessive household goods, litter, and any other items that produce clutter. To get rid of any roach problem, use the Kness Stick-All Glue Trap!
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