Cockroaches are cringe-worthy year-round, though these warm-weather pests are most prevalent in the summer months. No one wants to stumble across one, whether it be in the kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room. These creepy crawlers like to hide in secluded areas behind appliances, under cabinets, in pantries, and inside garbage containers and other bacteria-laden spaces.
The following four species of cockroaches most commonly invade Philadelphia area homes and businesses:
German Cockroach
These small, oval-shaped roaches are yellowish-brown with two short black stripes running horizontally from the back of their heads down to the base of their wings.
American Cockroach
These are larger roaches that are reddish-brown with a distinct yellow-colored figure-eight pattern behind their heads.
Oriental Cockroach
These are very dark brown roaches with smooth, shiny bodies that give off a musty odor. They usually live at or below ground level.
Brown-Banded Cockroach
These roaches are brown with distinctive broad bands across their wings. They live nearer to the ceiling than the floor and often require their own treatment plan.
Are Cockroaches Harmful?
Not only do cockroaches cause unbearable anxiety, but they are also some of the most unsanitary pests out there. They feed on garbage, breed in sewage, and travel through drains, picking up all kinds of pathogens that can lead to serious disease. In fact, a study found there are a total of 30 different species of human bacteria associated with cockroach infestations. They contaminate surfaces by shedding skin and leaving excrement and saliva wherever they go leading to a slew of adverse health effects including:
- Asthma attacks
- Cholera
- Diarrhea
- Dysentery
- Food poisoning
- Leprosy
- Plague
- Poliomyelitis
- Salmonella
- Skin rashes
- Typhoid fever
- Viral diseases
While they may not be poisonous and may not sting, they’re still extremely dangerous in their ability to spread germs and carry diseases.
How Do Cockroaches Get Into My House?
When cockroaches infest your Norristown area home, they are in search of humidity, a place to hide, and a source of food. They manage to sneak into small cracks and crevices and through entry points in the foundation, exterior walls, spaces under doors, around windows, vents, and torn screens. They can also be brought inside in deliveries, used furniture, cardboard boxes, potted plants, or appliances. It’s important to seal spaces around wires, cables, pipes, and other utilities that enter from the outdoors, and to thoroughly inspect any items before bringing them into your home.
To rid your home of cockroaches, you’ll need to pay close attention to three things in your house: cleanliness, moisture build-up, and food sources. These are the three most common culprits that create an environment conducive to an infestation.
- Cleanliness – The cleaner the home, the less attractive it is to cockroaches. Regularly sweep beneath the stove and the refrigerator, vacuum the floor and keep household appliances clean. Reduce clutter so they can’t find shelter in protected areas crowded with junk.
- Moisture build-up – Cockroaches need water to survive. Reduce sources of humidity by fixing leaky pipes and installing dehumidifiers in moisture-rich areas like the basement, kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry room. Install weatherstripping around the windows and doors.
- Food sources – Cockroaches need food to survive, so never leave food out! Quickly wipe up spills and store food in airtight containers. Properly seal the trash and take it out regularly.
You can implement all the DIY methods you want, including at-home roach sprays, bombs, and traps, but the truth is they’re not entirely effective. The smartest and most efficient way to rid your property of a cockroach infestation is to call in the professionals at M.A.D. Exterminators, Inc. We offer year-round residential and commercial pest control services utilizing modern treatments that guarantee customer satisfaction. Call us today. We’ve been serving the greater communities of Montgomery Country, Chester Country, and Delaware Country, PA, for over 35 years, and we look forward to adding you to our long list of happy customers.