Cockroach Pest Control Services
Oriental Cockroach
Color: Dark brown to nearly black
Characteristics: Oriental roaches appear shiny. Males have wings that cover 75% of their abdomen, while the female of the species don’t have any.
Size: Adult Oriental cockroaches tend to be about 1 inch long and the females are about 1 ¼ inch long.
Potentially dangerous: Yes
Description: Outdoors they can be found under stones, in leaf litter and other debris. Indoors, they can be found in within walls, crawl spaces, basements and in floor drains and wherever there is decaying matter. They are also known to crawl up along water pipes to the second floor of a building. They feed on all different kinds of food, but prefer starch.
Nesting Sites: Oriental cockroaches are primarily found living outdoors; they will hide under mulch in flower gardens, under piles of leaves, under stones or rocks, under garbage cans, and under porches; they also commonly invade storm drains and sewers. They will make their way inside of homes and other buildings if the weather becomes too hot or dry in order to find moisture; they will hide behind walls and inside of crawl spaces.
Signs of Infestation
You can see them scurrying through garden beds in the mulch, and gathering around moist areas like under outdoor faucets and at the bottom of gutters. If they are inside your home you may see their feces or egg capsules in your home. Like other types of cockroaches if there is a large infestation you will notice a “musty” odor in the air.
Dangers
Cockroaches are known to spread many different types of pathogens, as well as different types of bacteria and parasitic worms that are dangerous to humans. These pests can pick up germs on the spines of their legs and bodies as they wander through rubbish piles, sewers and drains and then can transfer these germs onto foods and food preparation surfaces. They can cause allergic reactions in humans as well as asthma in children.
American Cockroaches
Color: Reddish brown with a pale brown figure eight band on the back of their heads.
Characteristics: American roaches are oval shaped. Adults are fully winged.
Size: Adult roaches are approximately 1 1/2 inches long.
Potentially Dangerous: Yes
Description: They are active in and around homes and business when the temperature is 70 degrees or higher. They prefer warm and humid spaces and can be found in food processing and food storage areas, basements and steam tunnels of large commercial buildings like restaurants, markets, hospitals and food processing plants.
Nesting Sites: Outside American Cockroaches like to live and hide in warm, damp, dark areas like in flowerbeds, under mulch, and under landscaping ties. Inside of homes they can be found hiding in the dark secluded areas of bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, or basements.
Signs of Infestation
Signs that roaches can be seen from adults scurrying around your kitchen, bathroom or basement areas. Another sign may be finding their droppings around your kitchen or other areas of your home, they look very similar to mouse droppings but are blunt at each end instead of tapered. If there is a large infestation you may notice a “musty” smell from pheromones that they give off.
Danger
Cockroaches can spread many kinds of pathogens that are dangerous to humans, as well as different types of bacteria and parasitic worms. Cockroaches can pick up germs on the spines of their legs and bodies as they crawl through garbage cans, sewers and drains and can transfer these germs to food surfaces. There are recent medical studies that have indicated that cockroach allergens can cause allergic reactions as well as cause asthma in children.
German Cockroach
Color: Light brown to tan, usually with two almost parallel dark stripes on their shield.
Characteristics: Female roaches are darker than the male, with a broader abdomen.
Size: Approximately 1/2 to 5/8 of an inch long.
Potentially dangerous: Yes
Description: These cockroaches are especially attracted to warm and humid rooms, including: kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms. They are attracted to all different kinds of food sources, as well as things like soap, glue and toothpaste.
Nesting Sites: German cockroaches mostly nest inside. They are the most common type of roach to infest homes, multi-family dwellings, restaurants and other commercial facilities. They are often found hiding in humid, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms and have a tendency to lurk behind appliances and in or under cardboard boxes.
Signs of Infestation
You may see them scurrying on your counter tops or inside of drawers or cabinets. You will also find their droppings in those same areas; their droppings look very similar to ground pepper. You may also notice piles of empty egg cases that the females drop after laying their eggs.
Dangers
German cockroaches are the most common cockroach in Texas and have the most impact as a nuisance pest. They may transmit disease organisms and cause allergic reactions in some people.
Roach prevention
- Reducing moisture in and around your home
- Making sure to seal the areas around pipes
- Regularly vacuuming and sweeping your home, and routinely wiping down the counters in your kitchen
- Not keeping food out in the open
- Regularly remove garbage from your home