One of the most common pests (and to most, one of the grossest!) is the cockroach. If you shudder at the thought of hundreds of roaches scurrying at the flip of a light switch, then this week’s foray into roach control is right up your alley!
About Roaches
Most people just think “roaches are roaches.” Like most animals, however, there are a variety of breeds. The two most common in houses are the American cockroach (which, ironically, is found all over the world) and the German cockroach. German cockroaches are the more famous variety, as they lay far more eggs than other types of roaches, which leads to a much larger scale infestation.
Roaches are most active at night. they prefer dark, moist spaces, often hiding under the refrigerator or near leaky drains/pipes. In apartment complexes roaches REALLY thrive, as they are able to move freely between units.
Roaches aren’t picky about what they eat. Garbage is prime eats for the pests… especially anything that is high in starches or sugars. They’ll also eat the corpses of their fellow roaches.
Why Roaches Are Dangerous
It’s more than just “negative PR” when it comes to WHY we should get rid of roaches. Roaches leave feces and partially digested food. Since roaches are so attracted to dine on garbage and other human waste, they often pick up (and can potentially transmit) different diseases. Roaches can not only cause skin irritation or respiratory issues, but have also been associated with dangerous diseases such as cholera, leprosy, plague, polio, and typhoid fever, among others.
How to Prevent Roaches
Cleanliness is an important factor in preventing roach infestation, but unfortunately, it’s not a silver bullet. Even the cleanest apartment can become infested with roaches due to shared walls (most often the original source comes from a neighbouring apartment). We’ve seen roaches in the cleanest of locales! Nevertheless, be sure to clean scraps of food, and keep leftovers in sealed containers. Bleaching trash containers every few weeks can also avert potential infestation. Seal any places where cockroaches could come in… a gap beneath the door or even an opening near sewer pipes. Make sure to get rid of or fix any sources of standing water.
How to Get Rid of Roaches
Unfortunately, even the best prevention methods sometimes fall short for whatever reason. Many people will try to do their own pest control with DIY roach kits. These can occasionally be effective, but more often than not, by the time you notice roaches in the house they have a whole colony hiding away somewhere. A certified pest control technician can assist in eradicating your roach issue. And of course, you can always contact us for any questions you may have!
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***NOTE: Generally, pest control companies will schedule more than one visit to make sure that the adults AND their offspring (and any unhatched eggs) are disposed of. Without this attention to detail, the roaches can come back (and even worsen) once they mature.
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