Cockroaches are one of the most common pest infestations across the country. They're also one of the most feared – both for the dangers they bring and how difficult they are to eliminate. Fortunately, pest control in Plano can help you combat cockroach infestations. Here's what you need to know about local roaches, the dangers they bring into your home, why DIY cockroach control often fails, and how experts like All-Safe Pest & Termite can help.
Types Of Roaches That Commonly Invade Plano Homes
Roaches are common pests, but there are different types of cockroaches that you are likely to come across in Plano homes, including:
- American Cockroaches: These are the largest species of roach you're likely to find in Texas homes growing between one and three inches long. American cockroaches are reddish-brown in color with a figure eight pattern behind their heads. They seek out moist areas with high temperatures such as sewer systems, basements, and kitchens.
- German Cockroaches: Much smaller than American roaches at just over half an inch in length, German cockroaches are the most common type of roach in Texas. They're tan to brown in color with two dark stripes behind their head. They specifically target human dwellings and look for easy access to food and water.
- Smoky brown Cockroaches: These dark brown roaches grow to be over an inch in length and are strong fliers. They also look for warm areas and high humidity and often live in wooded areas, beneath mulch, or inside gutters.
- Brown-banded Cockroaches: The smallest of Texas home invading roaches, brown-banded roaches have two prominent bands that give them their names. They often spend their entire life indoors, seeking out the warmest parts of a building and nesting up high.
- Oriental Cockroaches: Medium-sized at around an inch in length, oriental cockroaches are glossy dark brown or black, which often gets them confused with beetles. They are drawn to dark and damp areas like basements, sewer pipes, and drains.
Regardless of the species, it's important to keep cockroaches out of your home for a number of reasons.
Why It Is So Dangerous To Have Roaches In Your House
When faced with an infestation, a common question to ask is, can cockroaches hurt you? The answer is yes, but not the way you might expect. Cockroaches don't bite or sting, they're not venomous like spiders, and they won't swarm to attack. In fact, many people have infestations of cockroaches in their homes and don't even realize it. Cockroaches are stealthy and experts at eluding detection.
But just because they're out of sight doesn't mean they're safe to have in your home. Cockroaches spread a variety of dangerous bacteria and pathogens. They contaminate food and meal preparation areas and can make you and your family sick. Additionally, the shed skins and droppings of roaches trigger allergies and asthma attacks for many people. So just because they aren't clambering to bite you doesn't make these insects safe to have in your house.
Why Do-It-Yourself Cockroach Control Often Fails
The first response to cockroach infestations is often to run to the nearest big box store for a quick cockroach control solution. Unfortunately, this is seldom the best choice. Cockroaches are resistant to many over-the-counter pesticides. Even if you are able to find a product that works, it can be challenging to track down cockroach nests to apply the treatment. And if any individual cockroaches survive, they will simply begin repopulating. And given how prolific cockroaches are at breeding, you'll be back to square one in a matter of weeks.
Call The Professionals At The First Sign Of Roaches In Your Home
Instead of wasting time and money on DIY solutions with limited results, call the professionals at All-Safe Pest & Termite. Our certified technicians have years of experience keeping homes in Plano and the surrounding areas free of cockroaches and other pests. No matter the size of your cockroach infestation, we'll make sure it's gone and won't come back. Call today to learn more about our cockroach pest control services.