Cockroaches are one bug no one cares to see. Perhaps you've seen one scurrying about your kitchen counter when you turn on the lights. Or, maybe a cockroach scurried across your floor and under your baseboards never to be seen again.
Regardless of where you have spotted the pesky pest, they can spell trouble and could be a strong indicator of your need to call a pest control expert- especially in the winter months when pests decide to leave the cold outdoors and make our homes their safe spot.
Cockroaches are not simply attracted to messy or cluttered houses, despite what many people think. Cockroaches like to stay warm- and in the chilly winter months, our homes and places of business can provide the perfect escape and source of heat, food, and water.
7 Steps to Preventing Cockroaches
Tidy Up! Make sure that boxes, paper bags, piles of clutter, old newspapers, and magazines are all disposed of. This helps eliminate places that might would appear desirable to roaches.
Clean Dishes and Put Them Away- Do not let dishes sit idle in your sink or on your counter. This is a sure way to attract cockroaches to your Kitchen- the last place you want to see them!
Eliminate Sources of Water- Roaches need water just like they need food. To avoid water becoming a problem source, fix any leaky pipes and never leave standing water in your sink or tub.
Seal Your House- Roaches can find their way inside through the smallest of cracks and crevices. Seal any gaps, cracks, openings around pipes, and any other areas of entry.
Vacuum Regularly- Making sure to vacuum carpet and hardwood floors to eliminate sources of food can also cut down on cockroach activity. But, be sure to empty out the vacuum's bag or cartridge.
Store Away Pet Food- Roaches can feed off open pet food in your garage or on your porch. Be sure the bag is sealed after each use. Or, consider buying a container to store the food in.
Thoroughly Clean on and Around Appliances- Be sure to clean those hard to reach areas behind your fridge and stove. Also, consider cleaning inside of microwave and toaster ovens as well, to ensure crumbs aren't hiding waiting to contribute to a cockroach problem.
Identifying Georgia Cockroaches
Now that you know some of the preventative measures you can take to keep unwanted cockroaches out of you and your family's home, let's look at the five most common cockroaches found in Georgia:
The American Cockroach
The American Cockroach is perhaps the most common. They are chestnut to light brown in color. These creatures are mainly found around water sources such as sewers and pipes and in dark, damp places such as the basement. They are night active.
Smokybrown Cockroach
The Smokybrown Cockroach is usually dark cherry or red in color. Usually found near neighborhoods with hardwood trees are present. They are typically found in tree holes, attics, and crawl spaces. They are night active. If found indoors, their presence may indicate a nearby egg casing.
Oriental Cockroach
The Oriental Cockroach is usually cherry to black in color. They can be found cohabiting with the American cockroach. They are night active but are usually not found inside.
Asian Cockroach
The Asian Cockroach is tan in color. They are attracted to light, can fly, and can usually be found underneath leaf litter, mulch, or high grass. They rarely come indoors and are usually only found when their habitat (such as grass) is disturbed.
German Cockroach
The German Cockroach, unfortunately, is always found inside. They are found in kitchen areas near warm appliances and sources of water. They are night active and in large numbers can cause allergic responses in children.
Learn more about these different types of cockroaches.
When There's a Problemâ¦
Now that you know how to distinguish the types of cockroaches found in our area and know steps you can take to prevent them from invading your home, its important to know problems can still arise.
If you find a large cockroach infestation in or around your home or place of business, trust a professional to rid your house of unwanted visitors.
