Warning Signs That Your Woodlands Home Has Termites
September 28, 2023
What early warning signs of termites do you need to know? Find out today how to identify these pests before they take over your Woodlands property.
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Was it a regular occurrence to see cockroaches inside your home growing up? Were you afraid to use the restroom at night in fear that these pests would be hiding in the bathtub or behind the toilet? If so, what is your opinion of these pests now that you own your own home? Most people, regardless of their upbringing, would do just about anything to make sure cockroaches stay out of their living areas. If this is true for you, here is an ultimate roach control guide to use around your Houston home.
What Cockroaches Live In Houston?
Houston is home to a few different species of cockroaches. The three most common in our area are German roaches, Oriental roaches, and American roaches. Here is how to tell each of these invading pests apart:
German Roaches
The German cockroach is light brown to tan, ½ to ⅝” long, and has two dark almost parallel lines located on its back just behind its head.
Oriental Roaches
The Oriental cockroach is jet black, roughly an inch long, and has no discernable markings.
American Roaches
The American cockroach is reddish-brown, 1 ¼ to 2 ⅛” long, and has a yellow figure-eight pattern on the back of its head.
Prevention Tip #1: Keep Your Living Areas Clean
One of the best ways to deter cockroaches from invading your living areas is to keep things as clean and tidy as possible. We recommend starting with surfaces around your home. Wipe down countertops, vacuum carpets, mop floors, and dust as needed. In addition to this, organize storage areas, making sure everything is in sealed plastic totes and tucked away neatly. Finally and most importantly, do your best to clean up food messes and drink spills as they occur.
Prevention Tip #2: Seal Your Home’s Exterior
Cockroaches invade homes through exterior cracks, crevices, and other openings. To prevent these pests from getting inside, we recommend sealing off these entry points. Here are some practical ways to do this:
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Use a caulking gun to fill in holes, gaps, and cracks in your home’s exterior foundation.
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Address damage to window/door screens, weather stripping, and door sweeps.
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Keep unscreened windows and doors closed as much as possible.
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Repair damage to your home’s siding, shingles, and window/door frames.
Prevention Tip #3: Store Food Away Properly
One of a cockroach’s main goals is to find food. To prevent them from doing this inside your living areas, store opened boxes of food and leftovers inside airtight containers. Another answer is to store food on pest-resistant shelving.
Prevention Tip #4: Address Moisture Problems
Cockroaches love moisture. For this reason, you should be actively reducing factors that contribute to moisture issues around your home and property. Here are five ways to do this:
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Fix leaky piping.
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Repair broken or improperly sealed fixtures like water spouts and faucets.
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Make sure your gutters are in good working condition and properly channeling water away from your home.
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Eliminate sources of water build-up around your property.
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Use a dehumidifier to keep humidity down around your living areas.
A Guaranteed Way To Prevent Cockroaches
The only way to make sure cockroaches stay out of your Houston home is to get a professional involved. For top-tier pest control at an affordable price, hire the experts at All-Safe Pest & Termite. We specialize in cockroach control and have the industrial-grade tools and treatments that are needed to keep these pests out of your living areas, year-round. Contact our team today to discuss your options and find one that fits your Houston home’s pest control needs.
