Cockroaches enter homes when they’re looking for food, water, and shelter. Once cockroaches move in, homeowners struggle to get them out. A roach infestation is also dangerous because they bring diseases and trigger serious allergic reactions.
You might have a cockroach problem but never see the actual insects. Instead, the first signs of a cockroach infestation could be a musty odor, pepper-like droppings, or shed skins.
Common Cockroaches in Houston
Entomologists have recorded 55 cockroach species around the United States. However, in Houston, the four common species that show up in homes include:
German Cockroaches
German cockroaches are the most common species found in homes. They are about ½-inch long and brown with two black stripes behind their heads. They scurry around, despite having wings.
American Cockroaches
American cockroaches are also called palmetto bugs or water bugs. They can be as long as three inches. The dark reddish-brown roaches can fly, and they often live in sewers and on trees.
Brown-banded Cockroaches
Brown-banded cockroaches get their name from the bands on their useless wings. They are light brown, and they prefer to live in dry places, like under appliances, in cabinets, and attics. This species is smaller than the German cockroach.
Oriental Cockroaches
Oriental cockroaches measure about an inch long. They do not fly, but they do have wings. They are dark black or dark reddish-brown and shiny. Unlike brown-banded cockroaches, these brown cockroaches prefer cool and damp locations. They often make sewers and plumbing pipes home.
Regardless of the type of roach that infests your home, it’s difficult to get rid of them without the help of a professional. Roaches have evolved to be resilient to pesticides, baits, and traps.
Where to Find Cockroaches
Because cockroaches are small and thin, they can fit into tiny holes and cracks. While most don’t build actual nests, they gather in warm and moist areas. If they’ve moved into your home, you’ll find them in common hideouts like these:
- Near electrical appliances
- Near bathroom sinks and tubs
- Around kitchen sinks
- Under cardboard boxes
- In overgrown landscaping bushes
- In basements and crawl spaces
- In attics.
Problems Caused by Cockroaches
Sadly, cockroaches are more than pests. They spread diseases and damage property.
Cockroaches Ruin Household Items
Because roaches eat anything organic, they can ruin several household items. They will eat everything from rotting food to human hair, glue, carpet, paper, soap, curtains, and more.
Cockroaches Carry Disease-Causing Germs
Cockroaches carry bacteria and pathogens, including E.coli, salmonella, and staphylococcus. They also spread diseases like typhoid fever, dysentery, cholera, and intestinal problems that cause diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, and wheezing.
Cockroach Allergens
According to research, cockroaches are a common source of indoor allergies. The allergies come from their droppings, saliva, and shed skins. Sadly, more than 60% of homes in the United States have cockroach allergens.
Cockroach Smell
If you’ve noticed a pungent smell in your home, you could have cockroaches. The strength of the smell correlates to the amount of time they’ve been in your home. A strong smell means that roaches have lived in your home for a while. The odor comes from their droppings and shed body parts.
Tips for Getting Rid of Cockroaches
The best way to reduce the chance of a cockroach infestation is to keep your home clean and clutter-free. Roaches hide in unclean areas, so always dispose of waste and take care of your trash cans. To keep roaches out of your home, clean behind, under, and around your appliances.
If you have any problems with your foundation, plumbing, or electrical system, fix them. It removes access to your home and food and water sources for roaches and other pests like rodents and mosquitoes. Seal holes in your foundation with caulk, and install weatherstripping and door sweeps under your entry doors.
Property owners with pets need to clean the pet food bowl every night and store food in airtight containers.
Got Cockroach Problems? Call Stampede Pest Control!
Because cockroaches are resilient and dangerous pests, it’s imperative to remove them from your home as soon as possible. Roaches spread diseases, leave a pungent aroma, and trigger allergies. To remove them from your home for good, contact the professional and experienced pest control company, Stampede Pest Control!