Cockroaches are common household pests that are particularly good at hiding around your home. These oval-shaped insects can grow to around 2 inches in length, have six legs, two antennae and some species have wings. You may find these pests frequenting your home if food isn’t cleaned and stored correctly or if sanitary measures are lacking. Cockroaches pose serious health risks by contaminating food or any household item they scuttle across. They transfer bacteria, pathogens and parasitic worms. They’re even known to trigger asthma and allergy attacks, especially in small children.
HOW TO IDENTIFY A COCKROACH INFESTATION:
With approximately 4,000 species of cockroaches in the world and around 70 of those species in the United States, it’s only a matter of time before they find their way inside your home or business. As a result, it’s important to know common cockroach habits so you can prevent and reduce the risk of an infestation.
Unlike ants or bees, cockroaches do not live together in centralized nests. These insects gather in common areas, like kitchens and bathrooms. You may notice pepper-like specs around dark, moist areas in those areas which are indicative of cockroach feces. Besides seeing the bug itself, this can be an early indicator you have a cockroach infestation.
Cockroaches are nocturnal insects, so they come out at night to crawl around your home, spreading their feces and germs in search of food. If you do see one during the day you can bet that you’ve got a serious cockroach infestation on your hands. Cockroaches are not picky eaters either, they will eat almost anything. From human food scraps to other items like paper, hair, feces and garbage these bugs don’t discriminate when it comes to their supper. Additionally, cockroaches can live for as long as a month without eating, so if you think a good deep clean will rid you of your infestation, think again.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT A COCKROACH INFESTATION:
While deep cleaning won’t necessarily rid you of your cockroach problem it will help prevent the unwelcome houseguest from making a return. Cockroaches flourish in filth so cleanliness is an important step in preventing and correcting the pest problem.
Food waste, trash, unwashed dishes and countertops need to be cleaned up with a disinfectant and trash should be removed and stored in a bin outside. Food should be stored in air-tight containers and there should never be opened and unsealed food items in any part of the house.
Cracks in the home’s foundation, windows, screens and entryways should be sealed tight to discourage roaches from slipping through and entering your home.
While preventative measures are key you should contact a licensed pest control professional to properly identify the roach intruder and thoroughly eliminate the infestation.
Don’t let cockroaches congregate in your home. If your home has a cockroach infestation it’s best to call a professional immediately. Effective and efficient pest control is what Madsen Pest does best! Give us a call at (715) 791-4777. Our expert technicians are productive and thorough, allowing you to be cockroach free in no time!
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