Cockroaches

cockroach

Four Types of This Common Household Pest

Cockroaches are pests that are found throughout the United States. They are a difficult and dangerous pest to deal with in any structure they invade. Cockroaches are dirty, unsightly, and carry a number of unwanted bacteria and diseases that they spread wherever they go. Furthermore, they are difficult to eliminate completely.

American Cockroaches

American cockroaches are the largest of the home-infesting roaches found in homes and businesses across the United States, typically measuring between 1-1/2 to 2 inches in length. Unlike German cockroaches, American cockroaches have wings and are capable of flight, although they rarely do so. They are reddish-brown in appearance with a small section of brown or yellow behind their head.

Where Will I Find American Cockroaches?

American cockroaches are one of the most common household insect invaders in the country, often found in kitchens, pantries, and bathrooms.

In commercial settings, they are commonly found in restaurants, grocery stores, bakeries, breweries, and other establishments where food is prepared or stored. American cockroaches like moist environments and can be found in sewers and basements, especially those with moisture problems.

Are American Cockroaches Dangerous?

While they don't bite and they can't physically harm you directly, American cockroaches have spines on their legs that can pick up and spread bacteria, leading to food contamination and diseases in homes or businesses they infest. They are also known to aggravate asthma symptoms in certain individuals. American cockroaches are also known to destroy wallpaper and personal belongings like books, papers, and clothing.

Why Do I Have an American Cockroach Problem?

These pests are attracted to moist environments, so if you have areas of dampness or moisture in your structure, you may be inviting an infestation inside. If you have a recurring American roach problem, there may be moisture problems on the property that need to be addressed.

Cracks in your foundation or gaps in the exterior of your home can serve as entry points and will need to be sealed in order to stop future infestations. American cockroaches may also be transported inside your property in infested packages or belongings.

How Do I Get Rid of American Cockroaches?

Like any other roach, American cockroaches’ small size, nocturnal nature, and quick breeding habits make them a difficult pest to eliminate using DIY methods. Furthermore, like other roaches, these pests can develop an immunity to over-the-counter chemicals used to bait these unwanted invaders. Therefore, with the dangers cockroaches pose and the challenges associated with extermination, your only safe bet is to bring a professional on board to help. Our experts at Pestmaster® have the experience and tools needed to rid your home of unwanted cockroaches.

Brown-Banded Cockroaches

Brown-banded cockroaches are named for the tan bands formed across their wings. This banding is found on these roaches regardless of their age and is thus noticeable on adults, young cockroaches, and even nymphs. Female and male adult brown-banded cockroaches have slightly different appearances. Males grow to be about 1/2 of an inch in length, are brown, and have fully developed wings that allow them to fly. Females are shorter with a stockier body shape. Females have wings, but they are not fully developed for flight.

brown banded cockroach

Are Brown-Banded Cockroaches Dangerous?

Like their cousins, brown-banded cockroaches are a dangerous species of pest that carry and spread a variety of harmful diseases and bacteria that can make people ill. Examples of pathogens they spread include E. coli and Salmonella.

They can also cause gastroenteritis and diarrhea in humans. Biological elements they leave behind such as shed skin and feces can trigger serious asthma and allergy attacks in some people.

Why Do I Have a Brown-Banded Cockroach Problem?

Brown-banded cockroaches can be found across the United States but are most common in the Northeastern, Southern, and Midwest regions of the country. They often enter homes and other structures while in search of food and shelter. Brown-banded cockroaches prefer dry, warm environments to live and nest, and can get pushed indoors due to the humidity of summer or the cold temperatures of winter.

Inside buildings, these cockroaches can be found living above ceilings, in attics, behind walls, and near large appliances with motors. Brown-banded cockroaches are mainly nocturnal and prefer foods high in starch. They often feed on wallpaper, book bindings, stamps, and other items that contain glue.

How Do I Get Rid of Brown-Banded Cockroaches?

Brown-banded cockroaches are difficult to treat and dangerous to any home they infest. If you know or think you have a brown-banded cockroach infestation, don’t hesitate to contact the professional roach killers at Pestmaster® for help. Reach out to us today for more information on how we can eliminate brown-banded cockroaches from your home or business.

German Cockroaches?

Also known as waterbugs, German cockroaches are one of the most common species of cockroaches found in the United States. These roaches grow to 1/2 to 5/8 inches in length. A German cockroach is tan to light brown in color with dark parallel lines running from the back of its head to its wings. Despite the fact that German cockroaches have wings, they are flightless. However, they are still adept climbers and can get onto tables, counters, and pantries by climbing on walls and ceilings.

german cockroach

Are German Cockroaches Dangerous?

German cockroaches can cause numerous health problems for humans that share living spaces with them. Their feces and saliva trigger asthma attacks in some people, and they can also carry salmonella and E. Coli.

These factors put them at risk of contaminating your food, food prep area, and utensils. The pathogens they carry can cause severe vomiting as well as diarrhea in humans.

Why Do I Have a German Cockroach Problem?

German cockroaches prefer warm, humid areas in close proximity to food and water. For this reason, they are most often found inside kitchens, pantries, and bathrooms in both residential and commercial environments.

German cockroaches can either enter your home while foraging for food or accidentally carried into your house while inside boxes, bags, and luggage. Once they are in your home, these roaches will look for a warm, dark, moist environment to hide.

Inside residential homes, German roaches are often found in basements, crawlspaces, kitchens, and bathrooms. They prefer moist areas with lots of cracks, crevices, and other hiding spots that they can retreat to when potential dangers such as humans or pets are in the area.

How Do I Get Rid of German Cockroaches?

Like other species of cockroaches, German cockroaches are a difficult pest to treat for the average home or business owner for a number of reasons. They are small, allowing them to get into the hard-to-reach areas of properties they infest, and they breed quickly, making it difficult to completely eliminate the entire infestation.

German cockroaches are also nocturnal, making it difficult to track down the source of the infestation. For these reasons, the best solution to a roach infestation is always to call a professional pest control service for help. Pestmaster® has decades of experience keeping homes across America cockroach-free. If you’re looking for a professional solution to your cockroach problem, contact us today for more information about how we can help.

What Are Oriental Cockroaches?

The Oriental cockroach is a large cockroach species that is commonly found across many parts of the country. Oriental roaches are an occasional invader and will enter homes and businesses from the outside in search of food and water.

Like other roach species, they are often found in areas with moisture problems such as inside damp basements, under sinks, in washing machines, in utility rooms, and in bathrooms. Adult Oriental cockroaches grow up to one inch in length and are shiny with a dark brown color. Females have a wide body and short wings, while males have a narrow body and longer wings. Despite their wings, neither the male nor female can fly.

Oriental Cockroaches Dangerous

While Oriental cockroaches do not harm humans directly through bites, they can cause indirect harm through the diseases and pathogens they spread.

Like American cockroaches, their legs contain spines that can pick up bacteria, so when they crawl through sewers, garbage disposals, bathrooms, and dumpsters, they pick up harmful materials from these areas and spread them to other areas throughout the home.

The areas that become contaminated include food preparation surfaces, pantry items, and any other area that the cockroaches come into contact with.

The bacteria that Oriental cockroaches carry can induce vomiting, fever, and diarrhea. Many people also have allergies to the cockroaches’ excrement and to the skin that they shed, and for some, these allergens can cause severe asthma attacks.

oriental cockroach on wood

Why Do I Have an Oriental Cockroach Problem?

Oriental cockroaches are typically found outdoors during warmer months of the year. They have to be near water to survive, so colder months force them to move inside to find resources and a warm place to make a nest. Due to their need for moisture, Oriental cockroaches are almost always found on the lower levels and basements of the buildings they infest where moisture problems are more common. Like other cockroaches, the Oriental cockroach can also be carried into your home in bags, boxes, or inside laundry.

How Do I Get Rid of Oriental Cockroaches?

Oriental cockroaches are a dangerous invasive pest. Most homeowners are not equipped to handle them on their own. Don’t leave the safety of your home or business to chance; contact the roach professionals at Pestmaster® for help and stop Oriental cockroaches from taking over your property.

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