Roach Problem
No homeowner wants to deal with the nightmare that is roach removal. The fact is, roaches are an unpleasant and destructive pest, and as a responsible homeowner you are probably very anxious to ensure that your home remains roach free. Unfortunately, there are several popular misconceptions about roaches, especially when it comes to how and why they enter your home. The truth is, any structure, regardless of how new or clean it is, can be at risk for roach infestation.
So the question is, how do you keep roaches out of YOUR home?
While there are a large number of roach species, the primary species infesting homes here in Georgia is the German roach. German roaches are a species of light brown, winged insects that can be identified by the characteristic black stripes running horizontally down their back. These roaches have a preference for indoor environments and can be very difficult to remove from a home once they are well established.
German roaches have a preference for warm, high moisture environments that can be difficult to find outdoors. As such, they are often attracted to homes due to the large variety of food and artificial warmth. They are typically found indoors in areas such as kitchens, laundry rooms, and bathrooms. While large numbers of roaches may be present in these areas, it is unlikely that you will see them out during the day due to their reclusive nature.
Roaches have a wide and varied diet. Most species are skilled scavengers and can consume a variety of different human foods, pet foods, other insects, and even atypical food sources such as book bindings. Due to this wide diet, almost any environment can sustain a roach population, and the only way to discourage their feeding is to keep any food sources sealed and clean up any messes promptly. If you have roach activity in a kitchen or pantry, you should carefully inspect any unsealed food as it may have been exposed to contaminants from roaches.
At this point you may be wondering, how exactly can you tell if roaches are active in your home?
Contrary to popular belief, it is rare to discover an infestation by spotting the actual roaches themselves. Typically, homeowners will notice signs of their activity initially. Roaches are nocturnal creatures, and they only emerge from their hiding places to feed during the night. If you are concerned about roach activity, look for common sign such as small, dark stains near corners, cracks, and wall openings. You may also notice the characteristic musty odor that roaches create in areas that they inhabit. If you notice some of these signs, you may want to call in a licensed pest professional to inspect the home.
German roaches in the home are able to reproduce rapidly. Within their ideal environments, these pests can quickly establish a population numbering in the thousands. Naturally, it can be shocking and gross to find a large group of roaches in your home, and you may be tempted to treat the pests as soon as possible. However, you should be cautious when working with DIY treatment products.
Many of these products are what are termed Kill-On-Contact treatment, and thus they only impact pests that directly touch them. Since most of the population is often hidden out of site, these products will do nothing to remove the majority of the pests. Beyond this, it can also cause the roaches to scatter deeper into the home and can make the infestation more difficult to remove.
Removing German roaches is a multi-step process. There are a few steps that homeowners can take to eliminate conducive conditions that are allowing the roaches to thrive. Sealing any cracks and gaps as well as other avenues into the home will help to prevent the pests from entering initially. Beyond this, you should carefully inspect any boxes or bags that you bring into the home, as these are some of the most common ways that roaches are able to enter the home. If you live in an apartment complex, you should bear in mind that roaches can spread throughout a building through pipe systems, and this can expose you to risk if another unit has a roach infestation.
Beyond these steps, treatment is almost always required to remove roaches. A licensed pest professional is your best option to ensure that treatment is applied sufficiently to eradicate the entire infestation.
At Canton Termite and Pest Control, we have proudly served as a leading pest provider for the greater Cherokee County area for the past few decades. We offer a wide range of treatment options designed to deal with any pest problem you may face quickly, safely, and effectively!
So if you are dealing with roaches, or simply have a pest related question, call us today at 770-479-1598!
By: Tim
