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Plano pest control professionals come across an abundant array of pests in Texas. One of the more common pest problems is the cockroach. Roaches are gross and make terrible houseguests for a few reasons.
They defecate everywhere, spread disease, shed skin, and can be hard to eliminate. Although there are home remedies for cockroaches, they simply do not work.
Here in Plano we mostly deal with German cockroaches, American cockroaches, and Oriental Cockroaches. German cockroaches are the insects most people think about when they hear about the pest. They like humidity and warmth and can often be found in the kitchen, laundry room, and bathroom.
Oriental cockroaches are slightly larger than the German cockroach species. They can handle cooler weather and like damp places. Lastly, the American cockroach is the largest of the roaches you may have in your home.
However difficult to get rid of and gross to live with, the pest control professionals in Plano are more than prepared to handle any infestation. So how do you know if you've got roaches?
Sure Signs You Have A Cockroach Infestation
If you think you may have a cockroach infestation, it is important to take action as quickly as possible. Cockroaches spread disease and can cause illness. You'll want to get rid of them quickly to reduce all the health risks associated with cockroaches. So, how do you know if you need cockroach pest control?
Signs of cockroaches in your home include the following:
- Odor – Cockroaches produce an unusual, musty, foul odor that magnifies as an infestation grows. The odor you'd smell in the case of a roach infestation is a pheromone that attracts more cockroaches. They defecate everywhere and contaminate the items and surfaces they encounter inside and outside your home.
- Live cockroaches – Cockroaches are generally nocturnal, so they are most active at night. They have sticky pads on their feet to scale smooth surfaces like glass.
- Cockroach Droppings – Cockroach droppings in your home will look like coffee grounds. You may see this evidence on the walls, counter surfaces, and anywhere else a cockroach has traveled over.
- Smear Marks – If you are concerned about roaches in a damp area, you may be able to see evidence of their presence as brown squiggly shaped smear marks. Yuck. Look for marks on horizontal surfaces and wall-to-floor junctions.
- Skin Shedding- A cockroach has three stages of life. It starts as an egg, hatches into a nymph, and matures into an adult. While it is in the nymph stage, it will molt its skin at least eight times in the span of one year. Some people will see these shells and assume the roach is dead. Make no mistake; a cockroach exoskeleton is a sign of a current pest problem.
- Egg Capsules (ootheca) – Cockroaches lay large egg capsules that contain multiple eggs. These capsules are called ootheca and are nearly half the size of the cockroach itself. Most species drop their ootheca and leave, but the German cockroach carries theirs just before their babies hatch. Each capsule contains around 30 nymphs that will eventually grow into adults, mate, and lay more oothecae.
If you start to see signs of cockroaches, it's time to contact your local pest professional. If you see one cockroach, there are likely many more hidden throughout your home—fortunately, the experts at All-Safe Pest & Termite for help.
How Roaches Spread Around Dangerous Pathogens
Roaches can spread diseases and pass them onto humans through their feces and saliva. Since they defecate where they live and sleep, they can easily spread these pathogens to humans through direct contact. Cockroach droppings in your home must be cleaned up even if there are no signs of the bug.
Roaches themselves are not inherently diseased. They often travel through sewer pipes and eat decaying food. In their travels, they come into contact and ingest harmful bacteria and pathogens that they then spread throughout your home as they contact surfaces and release fecal matter.
Why DIY Cockroach Control Is A Waste Of Time And Money
There are many DIY home remedies for cockroaches out there, but most of them prove ineffective at eliminating an infestation. However, cockroaches are predicted to survive a nuclear fallout, so baking soda, boric acid, and lemon peels have little to no effect on these creatures. Furthermore, cockroaches have developed an immunity to some insecticides, which adds to their resiliency. If you find a cockroach in your house, it is important to partner with a professional pest control company.
How To Get Rid Of The Roaches In Your House For Good!
Call your local Plano, Texas pest control professional for the best results in treating your home, rentals, or office for roaches. At All-Safe Pest & Termite, our team of professionals inspects your property and comes up with a customized treatment plan that's best for your unique pest control problem.
With our professional pest control technicians on your side, you can protect your home against cockroaches, spiders, ants, cricket, rodents, wasps, and more! To learn more about our cockroach control options, reach out to our team of experts at All-Safe Pest & Termite today.
