How To Tell If It's Silverfish In Your Fort Worth Home
September 15, 2023
Do you know how to identify silverfish inside your Fort Worth home? We do. Let us share our knowledge with you so that you can spot these pests fast.
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Do you know that all cockroaches are not created equal? It's true. Some roaches are worse than others. This is because they have different behavior patterns. Some are more prone to getting into homes and staying inside. Some are able to tolerate dry conditions. Some are downright gross. It matters what cockroaches have gotten into your home. In our Dallas service area, we have four cockroach species that are common structure-invading pests. Here's what you should know about them.
The Oriental Cockroach
This is probably one of the most disgusting cockroaches that can get into your home. Oriental cockroaches are large, dark-colored insects that live in the sewer system and can get into your home through pipes and drains. The only upside to these roaches is that they don't prefer to stay in your home. They prefer to be in damp areas. If you don't have a damp cellar or some kind of plumbing problem, these cockroaches may go back outside on their own. But not before they make you sick by exposing your food, dishes, silverware and food-prep areas to harmful organisms they carry on their bodies.
Identification: At about 1 inch long, these roaches are hard to miss when you flick a light on and send them running for the dark crevices of your home. They are mostly black with some dark red, and they have a shiny exoskeleton.
The American Cockroach
An American cockroach is at home on the damp ground under a pile of brush. It prefers to be outdoors. But, as you're probably aware, they do make themselves household pests. While they are certainly drawn to damp areas, and can live in the sewer system as Oriental cockroaches do, they can tolerate being in man-made structures that have areas of high humidity. You'll find these insects living in the voids of your bathroom or in your basement.
Identification: At 1 ¼ to 2 ⅛ inches long, these are the largest cockroaches you'll find inside your Dallas home. They are a sickly chestnut color and have a yellowish-orange 8 on their back, just below the head.
The Brown-Banded Cockroach
These little insects are permanent guests. When they get inside, they are happy to stay. One reason they do so well inside man-made structures is that they are able to live in dry conditions. These cockroaches can be found harboring in any location within your home that is dark and secluded.
Identification: These are brown cockroaches with light bands of color that run across their wings. They're the smallest cockroach on our list. An adult brown-banded cockroach is only about ½ an inch long.
The German Cockroach
We saved the worst for last. The German cockroach is the most successful structure-infesting insect in the world. Like its cousin, the brown-banded cockroach, this roach is in your home for the long haul. Its claim to fame as the worst structure-infesting insect is connected to its ability to live with scarcity. It is nearly impossible to remove these roaches by removing food and water sources.
Identification: At between ½ and ⅝ inches, German cockroaches are slightly larger than brown-banded cockroaches. They are tan with a dark brown equal sign on its back, just below its head.
Cockroach Control
No matter what kind of cockroach you find in your Dallas home, they are a health concern. Cockroaches are linked to the spread of at least 33 kinds of harmful bacteria, 6 uniquely identified parasitic worms, and more than 7 human pathogens. Reach out to All-Safe Pest & Termite for help determining the level of this threat and to establish a roach-free home. Believe us when we say, life is better without cockroaches.
To eliminate cockroaches, get started with one of our ongoing pest control plans including coverage for cockroaches and many other pests!
