Cockroach Extermination

Cockroaches are one of the most hated household pests and for good reason.  Not only can they be creepy they spread over 33 different kinds of bacteria including E. coli and Salmonella. Cockroaches are also responsible for causing allergic reactions and triggering asthma attacks, especially in children. They are not welcome visitors in our homes and businesses.

Cockroach Facts

Cockroaches have been around for over 350 million years and there are approximately 3,500 different species worldwide.  They can eat almost anything and don’t need much to survive.  Since most roaches that trespass and live with humans come from tropical and subtropical climates we normally find roaches living in damp, humid, warm conditions like kitchens, bathrooms, and sewers. They are mostly nocturnal unless populations are high or some kind of stress has moved them out during the day and since they love to hide in cracks and crevices, they can sometimes be challenging to find and eliminate.

German Cockroaches

The German cockroach is the most common species of the cockroach that human run into on a daily basis. It is the most economically important urban pest and has been infesting our homes and dwellings for thousands of years.   Adults measure in at ½-5/8 inches long and both males and females are winged but don’t fly.

They are prolific breeders and can have up to six generations per year.  Like all our pest cockroaches, German Cockroaches are nocturnal and love to hide in cracks and crevices where they are protected.  The adults readily forage and move around for food so multiunit dwellings are particularly susceptible to spread from a highly infested unit to surrounding units.

We also see them in restaurant kitchens, bars, break-rooms and anyplace where there is food, water, and protection.  We need to be vigilant and proactive in our spaces against German Cockroaches.

American Cockroaches

American cockroaches are the largest of the domestic invaders measuring in at 1-1.5inches in length.  This roach originated in Africa and was transported to the U.S. during the 1600s.  This is one of the true structural roaches and can been seen coming out of sewer systems and steam tunnels and pushing their way into commercial buildings using pipe chases and gas pipes to move through a building.  These roaches are winged as adults but rarely are seen flying.  Although this roach is mostly associated with structures we do see it walking around outside and coming in by accident or when conditions are unfavorable outside.

Oriental Cockroaches

This group is similar in many behaviors and patterns to the American Cockroach and is usually called a “water bug”.  It is rarely more than an inch length and the adult females are wingless with a dark brown/black sheen.  This roach is more commonly found wandering outside and making its way inside when conditions are right.

Cockroach Management

Although management will depend on the type of cockroach you are dealing with, some elements will remain constant.

1. First identifying it correctly is vital in moving forward with any strategy or inspection.  You have to know who your enemy is before you go into battle.
2. Removing food and water available to roaches will not only help in managing a current infestation but also proactively help reduce chances of one successfully establishing.
3. Ensure that a structure is sealed to prevent pest entry.  Just keeping them on the outside can be over half the battle.
4. Call a pest control company if you persist to have roaches inside your home or business.  Elimination will be based on an integrated approach that may include a variety of different kinds of pest control products from dusts, baits, or liquid residual materials.  All products are applied in a targeted manner to reduce any human or pet exposure.