Cockroach Pest Control

Cockroaches are beetle-like insects with relatively small heads and broad, flattened bodies. Most species are reddish-brown to dark brown. They have large compound eyes, two ocelli, and long, flexible antennae. They are hardy insects and can tolerate a wide range of environments. Cockroaches are generalized insects, with few special adaptations, and may be among the most primitive living neopteran insects. Roaches run fast, and they scurry into dark areas. If they are startled, American cockroaches can even fly. About 30 different cockroach species are associated with human habitats. The most common include American Cockroaches, brown-banded Cockroaches, German Cockroaches, Madagascar hissing Cockroaches, Oriental Cockroaches, and smoky-brown Cockroaches. Cockroaches breed continuously, and they saturate areas while spreading disease and infection. They carry bacteria, contaminate food, destroy living environments, and cause allergies including severe cases of asthma.

Cockroaches like to live in dark, moist areas. Inside, the rooms they tend to gather in are bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and basements. Specific places include food prep areas, porous surfaces like cardboard, cabinets and cupboards, garbage cans, and underneath or behind appliances like stoves and refrigerators. Outside, they will live in or around brush piles, dumpsters, logs, leaves, mulch, and sheds. It is common to find cockroaches in areas that have sewage or plumbing leaks, and some even live in sewers themselves.

Cockroaches may look larger than many insects but they can pass under doors and through cracks and crevices easily. Basement windows, garages, drains, and sewer pipes are also common entryways, and some species can fly in when attracted to a light source. They can also be brought in on infested items like cardboard. Cockroaches are drawn to areas that are dark and have a source of food and water. They will usually go where there are other cockroaches. Things like crumbs and pet food that is left out overnight are potential food sources for cockroaches and therefore may attract them.

In the Northern parts of the United States, some cockroaches will begin activity when spring arrives and remain active through fall. When cold weather arrives, they will enter diapause, which is similar to hibernation. However, if cockroaches are in a warm environment with food and water, such as a home or business, they may continue their activity through the winter. This means that a cockroach problem will not cease when cold weather arrives. In warmer climates like Florida, temperatures typically do not get cold enough to cause a halt in cockroach activity, and therefore they are active year-round. Cockroaches are nocturnal and do all of their foraging and mating at night.

Since Cockroaches can live almost anywhere, it is important to cut off their food supply and keep areas as clean as possible. This means not leaving out dirty dishes or food scraps, keeping all foods in sealed containers, and emptying garbage cans often. If possible, pet food should not be left out overnight. It is a good idea to minimize mulch, raked leaves, and other piles. In order to solve a cockroach problem, it is necessary to know what type of cockroach is causing the infestation. Our professionals at EXCEL Termite and Pest Control will quickly get rid of cockroaches in your home or business.