There are far fewer annoyances than dealing with pests in your Houston home. If you’ve been unfortunate enough to have to deal with one of the worst pests, cockroaches, you know how bad it can get. Roaches invading your home can lead to a myriad of problems. From health risks to sanitary issues, cockroaches multiply quickly and spread like wildfire.
But how do we get rid of cockroaches forever? What does that look like? And where do they live? In this blog, we explore these questions and why calling professional pest control in Houston is the best solution to a cockroach invasion.
Common Types Of Roaches Found In Houston
Many folks are unaware that several types of cockroaches exist in the United States alone. In Houston, there are a few names to look out for, such as:
- The American Cockroach - This cockroach is the typical cockroach you see depicted in most general photos of cockroaches. You can find them all over the U.S. They are between 1 ¼ and 2 ⅛ inches in length, reddish-brown in color, and oval-shaped. Their distinguishing feature is a figure-eight pattern on the back of their head, which is usually slightly yellow.
- The Brown-Banded Cockroach - The brown-banded cockroach is about a ½ an inch long and has two lighter brown bands across its brownish body.
- The German Cockroach - Similar to the brown-banded cockroach, the German cockroach also has two stripes on its body; however, they are darker in color and located just behind the head.
- The Smokybrown Cockroach - Smokybrown cockroaches are massive cockroaches commonly found in the southeastern portion of the U.S. This cockroach is a similar size to the American cockroach, ranging from 1 ¼ to 1 ½ inches. It’s dark brown to black, and its wings are longer than its body.
If you find any of these cockroaches in your home, it’s important to take the matter seriously. Finding one cockroach usually means there are several more.
Can Roaches In My Home Really Make Me Sick?
When people think of living with a cockroach infestation, they mostly think of the discomfort they would feel living amongst bugs. Cockroaches, however, pose a much more serious health risk. Cockroaches can contaminate surfaces with bacteria and diseases. Some illnesses they can spread include:
- Salmonellosis
- Typhoid fever
- Cholera
- Dysentery
- E. coli
- And more
Beyond spreading disease and bacteria, cockroach droppings, urine, and saliva can cause asthma attacks and other allergic reactions. Common symptoms of a cockroach infestation include sneezing, coughing, wheezing, and a runny nose. You need to take these health risks seriously, especially in children, the elderly, or anyone with a history of asthma living in the home.
Why It Is So Hard To Get Rid Of Roaches On Your Own
Getting rid of roaches on your own can be challenging because they’re very good at hiding. The best way to kill cockroaches is to hire a professional pest control company. There are some preventative tips you can practice, but if you already have an infestation, it won’t be much help. Some ways to prevent further cockroach infestations are to seal up any gaps or cracks on the interior and exterior of your home, maintain cleanliness, ventilate any humid areas, and store food in tightly lidded containers.
Call The Professionals At The First Sign Of Roaches In Your Home
If you’ve found a cockroach exoskeleton, cockroach legs, or even a cockroach or two, you must call a professional to help eliminate your problem. Calling a pest control company like All-Safe Pest & Termite can save you a lot of time and energy in getting your home back to normal. At All-Safe Pest & Termite, we know how to get rid of cockroaches quickly and effectively.