The American cockroach is one of the largest and most prevalent species of house-infesting cockroaches in the United States. They are, unfortunately, quite common in San Diego, CA, as the warm climate suits them well. If you are dealing with American cockroaches, you may be wondering if there is any way to get rid of them. These pests can be absurdly resilient; they can withstand many natural pesticides and survive freezing temperatures. They can even function for a week without a head!
It can be easy to feel hopeless when faced with a cockroach problem, but you don’t need to despair. Green Flash Pest Control is here to provide expert, effective pest control in San Diego. This article will cover the basics – first, we’ll talk about how to identify American cockroaches, then about what makes these pests a threat to your family’s health and safety, and then about what you can do to make them less likely to invade your home. Lastly, we’ll let you know how professional pest control can help keep your house safe from cockroaches now and in the future.
What Do American Cockroaches Look Like?
Before we talk about American cockroach control, let’s first learn how to identify them. American cockroaches are actually not native to North America. Some scientists think they may have been introduced to the United States in the 1600s via ships traveling from Africa. Regardless of their actual origin, you can easily identify American cockroaches once you know what to look for.
They are large, six-legged insects with two antennae. Their bodies are oval-shaped and usually range from one and a quarter inches to just over two inches long. They have a distinctive yellow pattern on the backs of their heads that resembles a band or a figure eight, and the rest of their bodies are usually a reddish-brown color. Cockroaches are nocturnal, meaning that they are most active at night and then hide during the day. For this reason, you may not see them unless you are paying close attention, but you should keep an eye out for signs of cockroaches in your home.
Some of these signs include cockroach feces, which look similar to mouse droppings, egg capsules, which you will usually find near the cockroaches’ food source and the musty, unpleasant smell that large numbers of cockroaches sometimes give off.
Why American Cockroaches Are Considered Dangerous
What is it that makes the American cockroach especially dangerous? You might think it’s their uncanny survivability and resilience, but in truth, it’s their potential to spread disease that makes them truly frightening. The diseases cockroaches carry include E.coli and salmonella, as well as over 30 other kinds of bacterial diseases. They are also known to carry seven other human pathogens and six parasitic worms.
They come in contact with these germs as they crawl through sewage, dead animals, and other gross, decaying matter. They can then easily transfer these germs to food, cooking surfaces, or living areas. American cockroaches can cause allergic reactions via their saliva, feces, and urine. They can also trigger asthma attacks, to which children are especially vulnerable. This is why it’s so important to make sure that you deal with any cockroaches in your home as quickly as possible before an infestation has a chance to get out of hand.
Five Tips To Prevent American Cockroach Infestations
Now that you know what makes American cockroaches especially dangerous to have around, let’s take a look at what you can do to mitigate the chances that these pests will invade your home. Despite the infuriating adaptability of the American cockroach, there are a few things that homeowners can do to keep them away. Here are five simple tips:
- Look for any openings in the exterior of your home and seal them.
- Keep your kitchen, dining area, and anywhere else you eat regularly free of food scraps.
- Store food in sealed containers.
- Take out the trash frequently.
- Reduce excess moisture in and around your home.
The tips above should help you keep these pests out of your house. To get rid of American cockroaches entirely, however, you’ll need some help from the pros like Green Flash Pest Control.
The Trick To Getting Rid Of American Cockroaches In Your Home
When you need a cockroach exterminator in San Diego, you can rest assured that Green Flash Pest Control is the best option available. We are a family-owned, locally operated company that takes pride in providing outstanding customer service to all of our clients.
We offer guaranteed, child and pet-friendly pest solutions backed by over 25 years of combined industry experience. Contact Green Flash Pest Control today and experience the Green Flash difference!