Cockroach control
If you have ever lived in a city, you have probably run across roaches. They are the most common pest around the world and they are everywhere. It is estimated that there are 4,600 species of roach, 25-30 of which are associated with human habitations.
Roaches can be disturbing to find in your home, which is bad enough, but they are also known to contribute to carry a number of diseases, which is why getting a professional roach control and removal specialist is so important. Cockroaches are filthy insects with bad habits you do not want around your home or food prep areas. Controlling roaches is important because they can help spread disease and dirt around a home and cause businesses to lose their reputation or even be shut down.
Hiring professionals is key for cockroach control rather than trying DIY methods.
Know your cockroach
Although there are numerous species of roaches around the planet, the ones that are most common for homeowners are:
German cockroach - these roaches prefer to live and breed indoors and most often found around your kitchen or scurrying around your bathroom.
American cockroach - found in basements and kitchens, but prefer to breed outdoors and live on trees.
Oriental cockroach - dark black or brown in color they love cool, damp areas. These are a health concern because they love to feed on garbage and decaying things.
The problem: roaches are tough
Roaches have been around for a long time. The fossil record shows signs of roaches going back as far as 350 million years. You don’t get to survive that long on this planet without being hard to kill!
Some roach facts to be aware of:
German roaches are the fastest reproducing species of pest roaches. A single female and her offspring can produce over 30,000 individuals within a year.
Roaches can live anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months without food or water depending on the species.
Considerable health risks are caused by roaches contaminating food and triggering asthma/allergy attacks.
How to prevent cockroaches
While you should always contact pest control professionals if you have an active infestation of cockroaches, there are steps you can take to prevent cockroaches from gaining entry to your home or business.
Eliminate food sources - store dry foods in tightly sealed containers or plastic bags and do not leave food sitting out on counters. Do not leave liquids in sinks or buckets.
Clear all waste food and liquid spillage - clean up food debris from food preparation areas, under sinks and appliances. Empty garbage cans on a daily basis and keep all garbage or compost in sealed bins.
Remove pet food - and drink and litter trays before nightfall.
Rinse cans, bottles and plastics - before putting them in recycling bins.
De-clutter - remove old stacks of newspapers, magazines, cardboard boxes and all other forms of clutter from the floor or bottom of cupboards.
Varnish or paint wood shelves - to seal them, and wipe them clean regularly.
Seal entry points - to deny access to cockroaches. Key risks are gaps around pipes, drains and common walls with neighboring properties. Tiny cracks around skirting boards and behind electrical sockets should also be plugged.