Can cockroaches bite? Do cockroaches carry disease? These are all questions that homeowners want the answers to when they’re faced with a cockroach infestation in their Durham home. Fortunately, we’ve got a complete guide to cockroaches and the info you need to know.
Here’s what Durham residents should know about the different types of cockroaches that may invade homes, how dangerous they are, some useful prevention tips, and the most effective form of cockroach pest control in Durham.
The Different Types Of Cockroaches To Invade Homes
Not sure if you’ve got American cockroaches flying in your home or brown-banded cockroach babies in your living room? Here’s what you need to know about the different types of cockroaches you can encounter in Durham:
- American cockroach: American cockroaches can be easier to identify because they are the largest house-infesting roach in the U.S., measuring as much as three inches in length. Their other identifying feature is the yellowish, figure-eight marking on the back of their heads.
- German cockroach: German cockroaches are the most common type of roach you’ll find in Durham homes. They only grow to about half an inch in length and have two distinct, dark stripes behind their heads.
- Brown-banded cockroach: Also only growing up to ½-inch, brown-banded cockroaches prefer to live outdoors but can still sometimes invade homes. They have light brown coloring and distinct, dark bands running across their bodies.
- Oriental cockroach: Oriental cockroaches grow slightly larger at around an inch in length and have a darker, glossier coloring that can make them look almost shiny in the light. They love infesting areas in homes with lots of moisture.
Although German roaches are most common in North Carolina, you could be at risk of an infestation from any of these roaches.
How Are Cockroaches Dangerous?
Besides their unsettling appearance, there’s even more reason to steer clear of cockroaches – these pests can be dangerous, and here’s how:
- They produce an enzyme in their saliva, skin, and droppings that can trigger severe asthmatic symptoms or allergic reactions in some people, especially small children.
- Roaches can carry bacteria and pathogens, like salmonella, streptococcus, and staphylococcus, which they can contaminate your home with (and make you or a family member sick).
- Cockroaches breed at high rates and are difficult to eliminate. Even small populations can quickly turn into full infestations.
The longer you’ve got a cockroach infestation in your home, the easier it becomes for these pests to make you or a family member sick.
Useful Cockroach Prevention Tips
Cockroaches can end up in your home by accident, but you can also attract these critters without even knowing. Here are some handy cockroach prevention tips to help you keep dangerous roaches away:
- Deal with leftover food in a sanitary manner. Cockroaches love easy access to food, so leaving out leftovers or letting dirty dishes sit in the sink can draw these pests in. Make sure you’re sealing and storing leftovers in containers and dealing with dirty dishes in a timely fashion.
- Don’t let your garbage can overflow. Cockroaches aren’t picky about their food source, and an open garbage can or compost pile can just as easily draw them in. It’s always a good idea to keep a tight lid on your trash and regularly empty it.
- Don’t let excess clutter build up. Cockroaches, like many pests, love to hide in cluttered storage areas, boxes, or clothing. Regularly clearing out clutter can help prevent these hiding spaces.
- Get rid of their entrances. Cockroaches can slip through tiny cracks and crevices to get inside your house. Filling these gaps and cracks with caulk or foam can make it much harder for them to gain access.
In addition to the tips we’ve listed above, regularly working with a professional pest control company can help ensure you’re doing everything possible to prevent cockroaches.
The Most Effective Cockroach Control
Nobody should have to deal with dangerous cockroaches in their home, and that includes Durham residents. With several different types of cockroaches in the area, it’s important to keep up with cockroach control, and that means giving us a call at The Eco Man Pest Solutions. We’ve got more than twenty-five years of experience in the pest control industry, and that includes dealing with cockroaches of every type.
Whether you suspect a cockroach infestation in your Durham home or just want to make sure you’re doing everything you can to protect yourself from these dangerous pests, we’re only a phone call away. Contact us today at The Eco Man Pest Solutions for an estimate of our services or to learn more about how our effective cockroach control program works.
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