There are over 4,500 species of cockroach in the world. Luckily there are only about three kinds of cockroaches that you will commonly find in your home. If you spot a roach in your home, expect it to be a German cockroach, American cockroach, or Smokybrown cockroach. It's important to know which type of roach you're dealing with so you can tackle the problem with the right strategy.
What's the Difference?
They are usually found in warm, dark, wet areas. They are nocturnal creatures, so if you see one during the day, this could be a sign of a larger problem. Cockroaches are often found in basements, attics, underneath trash piles, and even behind furniture.
The American Cockroach |
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| The most common roaches to come across are the american cockroaches, though you may know them as palmetto bugs, . Once inside, they tend to head towards bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms and basements in search of water or food. American cockroaches can run very fast and tend to hide away in dark areas. When threatened or disturbed they may even fly. |
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Smokybrown Cockroach |
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| The Smokybrown cockroach is commonly found throughout the southeast. Smokybrown cockroaches are prone to dehydration so they are most commonly found in damp areas where you may have a moisture problem. Keep an eye on your plumping, as this is one of the most common reasons to have moisture issues in the house. These cockroaches tend to be in hiding until night when they head out to search for food. |
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German Cockroach |
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| Similar to the American cockroaches, German cockroaches are among the most common to show up in your home. They are almost always found inside in search of warmth and water. They have an extremely fast reproduction rate, meaning they can quickly become a serious problem if not taken care of immediately. |
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Where Should I Look for These Bugs?
These roaches tend to hang around dark, wet, warm areas. Check these places for roach activity:
· Garage
· Sink
· Cabinets
· Pipes
· Attic
· Kitchen
· Basement
· Bathroom
· Appliances
· Furniture
· Stacked Cardboard and Paper
· Closets
· Baseboards
· Electronics
Do I Have an Infestation?
A cockroach infestation is nothing to take lightly. If you see cockroaches in or around your home on a daily basis you might have a problem. Look for these 5 clear indicators of an infestation:
1. Cockroach activity during the day
2. Oily smell around your walls
3. Cockroach droppings
4. Dead Roaches
5. Cockroach eggs
Should I Tackle It Myself?
Tackling a bug problem by yourself can be a lot of work, and often times it's not a successful fix to the problem. Using harmful and toxic chemicals as a means of killing bugs is not recommended. We recommend taking personal hygiene and cleanliness to the next level if you want to decrease your chance of encountering cockroaches. Nontoxic sticky traps and gel traps may be a good temporary fix, or a good method to find an entry point or high activity area, but will not be a permanent solution.
If you notice any of these signs, or think you may have a problem for another reason. Put the problem in the hands of a professional. Contact the experts at Breda Pest Management and count on us to fix your problem and secure your home. For more information on cockroaches and how to keep your home free of them, check out our latest guide, How to Protect Your Home from Cockroaches.
